Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

William Shakespeare (Collins edition)

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Hamlet$ Prince of 'enmark
b William Shakespeare 2Collins edition3
4o#ember$ .//5 2Etext 6.7893
Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
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b William Shakespeare
PE,S=4S ,EP,ESE4)E'&
Claudius$ Ving of 'enmark&
Hamlet$ Son to the former$ and 4ephe" to the present Ving&
Polonius$ @ord Chamberlain&
Horatio$ *riend to Hamlet&
@aertes$ Son to Polonius&
+oltimand$ Courtier&
Cornelius$ Courtier&
,osencrant<$ Courtier&
Guildenstern$ Courtier&
=sric$ Courtier&
B Gentleman$ Courtier&
B Priest&
?arcellus$ =fficer&
-ernardo$ =fficer&
*rancisco$ a Soldier
,enaldo$ Ser#ant to Polonius&
Plaers&
)"o Clo"ns$ Gra#eDdiggers&
*ortinbras$ Prince of 4or"a&
B Captain&
English Bmbassadors&
Ghost of Hamlet!s *ather&
Gertrude$ Uueen of 'enmark$ and ?other of Hamlet&
=phelia$ 'aughter to Polonius&
@ords$ @adies$ =fficers$ Soldiers$ Sailors$ ?essengers$ and other
Bttendants&
SCE4E& Elsinore&
BC) 1&
Scene 1& Elsinore& B platform before the Castle&
2*rancisco at his post& Enter to him -ernardo&3
-er&
Who!s thereR
*ran&
4a$ ans"er meA stand$ and unfold ourself&
-er&
@ong li#e the king%
*ran&
-ernardoR
-er&
He&
*ran&
Pou come most carefull upon our hour&
-er&
!)is no" struck t"el#e& Get thee to bed$ *rancisco&
*ran&
*or this relief much thanksA !tis bitter cold$
Bnd 1 am sick at heart&
-er&
Ha#e ou had Tuiet guardR
*ran&
4ot a mouse stirring&
-er&
Well$ good night&
1f ou do meet Horatio and ?arcellus$
)he ri#als of m "atch$ bid them make haste&
*ran&
1 think 1 hear them&DDStand$ ho% Who is thereR
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
Hor&
*riends to this ground&
?ar&
Bnd liegemen to the 'ane&
*ran&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
?ar&
=$ fare"ell$ honest soldierJ
Who hath relie#!d ouR
*ran&
-ernardo has m place&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
2Exit&3
?ar&
Holla% -ernardo%
-er&
Sa&
What$ is Horatio thereR
Hor&
B piece of him&
-er&
Welcome$ HoratioADDWelcome$ good ?arcellus&
?ar&
What$ has this thing appear!d again toDnightR
-er&
1 ha#e seen nothing&
?ar&
Horatio sas !tis but our fantas$
Bnd "ill not let belief take hold of him
)ouching this dreaded sight$ t"ice seen of usA
)herefore 1 ha#e entreated him along
With us to "atch the minutes of this nightJ
)hat$ if again this apparition come
He ma appro#e our ees and speak to it&
Hor&
)ush$ tush$ !t"ill not appear&
-er&
Sit do"n a"hile$
Bnd let us once again assail our ears$
)hat are so fortified against our stor$
What "e t"o nights ha#e seen&
Hor&
Well$ sit "e do"n$
Bnd let us hear -ernardo speak of this&
-er&
@ast night of all$
When ond same star that!s "est"ard from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of hea#en
Where no" it burns$ ?arcellus and mself$
)he bell then beating one$DD
?ar&
Peace$ break thee offJ look "here it comes again%
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
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b William Shakespeare
PE,S=4S ,EP,ESE4)E'&
Claudius$ Ving of 'enmark&
Hamlet$ Son to the former$ and 4ephe" to the present Ving&
Polonius$ @ord Chamberlain&
Horatio$ *riend to Hamlet&
@aertes$ Son to Polonius&
+oltimand$ Courtier&
Cornelius$ Courtier&
,osencrant<$ Courtier&
Guildenstern$ Courtier&
=sric$ Courtier&
B Gentleman$ Courtier&
B Priest&
?arcellus$ =fficer&
-ernardo$ =fficer&
*rancisco$ a Soldier
,enaldo$ Ser#ant to Polonius&
Plaers&
)"o Clo"ns$ Gra#eDdiggers&
*ortinbras$ Prince of 4or"a&
B Captain&
English Bmbassadors&
Ghost of Hamlet!s *ather&
Gertrude$ Uueen of 'enmark$ and ?other of Hamlet&
=phelia$ 'aughter to Polonius&
@ords$ @adies$ =fficers$ Soldiers$ Sailors$ ?essengers$ and other
Bttendants&
SCE4E& Elsinore&
BC) 1&
Scene 1& Elsinore& B platform before the Castle&
2*rancisco at his post& Enter to him -ernardo&3
-er&
Who!s thereR
*ran&
4a$ ans"er meA stand$ and unfold ourself&
-er&
@ong li#e the king%
*ran&
-ernardoR
-er&
He&
*ran&
Pou come most carefull upon our hour&
-er&
!)is no" struck t"el#e& Get thee to bed$ *rancisco&
*ran&
*or this relief much thanksA !tis bitter cold$
Bnd 1 am sick at heart&
-er&
Ha#e ou had Tuiet guardR
*ran&
4ot a mouse stirring&
-er&
Well$ good night&
1f ou do meet Horatio and ?arcellus$
)he ri#als of m "atch$ bid them make haste&
*ran&
1 think 1 hear them&DDStand$ ho% Who is thereR
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
Hor&
*riends to this ground&
?ar&
Bnd liegemen to the 'ane&
*ran&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
?ar&
=$ fare"ell$ honest soldierJ
Who hath relie#!d ouR
*ran&
-ernardo has m place&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
2Exit&3
?ar&
Holla% -ernardo%
-er&
Sa&
What$ is Horatio thereR
Hor&
B piece of him&
-er&
Welcome$ HoratioADDWelcome$ good ?arcellus&
?ar&
What$ has this thing appear!d again toDnightR
-er&
1 ha#e seen nothing&
?ar&
Horatio sas !tis but our fantas$
Bnd "ill not let belief take hold of him
)ouching this dreaded sight$ t"ice seen of usA
)herefore 1 ha#e entreated him along
With us to "atch the minutes of this nightJ
)hat$ if again this apparition come
He ma appro#e our ees and speak to it&
Hor&
)ush$ tush$ !t"ill not appear&
-er&
Sit do"n a"hile$
Bnd let us once again assail our ears$
)hat are so fortified against our stor$
What "e t"o nights ha#e seen&
Hor&
Well$ sit "e do"n$
Bnd let us hear -ernardo speak of this&
-er&
@ast night of all$
When ond same star that!s "est"ard from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of hea#en
Where no" it burns$ ?arcellus and mself$
)he bell then beating one$DD
?ar&
Peace$ break thee offJ look "here it comes again%
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
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b William Shakespeare
PE,S=4S ,EP,ESE4)E'&
Claudius$ Ving of 'enmark&
Hamlet$ Son to the former$ and 4ephe" to the present Ving&
Polonius$ @ord Chamberlain&
Horatio$ *riend to Hamlet&
@aertes$ Son to Polonius&
+oltimand$ Courtier&
Cornelius$ Courtier&
,osencrant<$ Courtier&
Guildenstern$ Courtier&
=sric$ Courtier&
B Gentleman$ Courtier&
B Priest&
?arcellus$ =fficer&
-ernardo$ =fficer&
*rancisco$ a Soldier
,enaldo$ Ser#ant to Polonius&
Plaers&
)"o Clo"ns$ Gra#eDdiggers&
*ortinbras$ Prince of 4or"a&
B Captain&
English Bmbassadors&
Ghost of Hamlet!s *ather&
Gertrude$ Uueen of 'enmark$ and ?other of Hamlet&
=phelia$ 'aughter to Polonius&
@ords$ @adies$ =fficers$ Soldiers$ Sailors$ ?essengers$ and other
Bttendants&
SCE4E& Elsinore&
BC) 1&
Scene 1& Elsinore& B platform before the Castle&
2*rancisco at his post& Enter to him -ernardo&3
-er&
Who!s thereR
*ran&
4a$ ans"er meA stand$ and unfold ourself&
-er&
@ong li#e the king%
*ran&
-ernardoR
-er&
He&
*ran&
Pou come most carefull upon our hour&
-er&
!)is no" struck t"el#e& Get thee to bed$ *rancisco&
*ran&
*or this relief much thanksA !tis bitter cold$
Bnd 1 am sick at heart&
-er&
Ha#e ou had Tuiet guardR
*ran&
4ot a mouse stirring&
-er&
Well$ good night&
1f ou do meet Horatio and ?arcellus$
)he ri#als of m "atch$ bid them make haste&
*ran&
1 think 1 hear them&DDStand$ ho% Who is thereR
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
Hor&
*riends to this ground&
?ar&
Bnd liegemen to the 'ane&
*ran&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
?ar&
=$ fare"ell$ honest soldierJ
Who hath relie#!d ouR
*ran&
-ernardo has m place&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
2Exit&3
?ar&
Holla% -ernardo%
-er&
Sa&
What$ is Horatio thereR
Hor&
B piece of him&
-er&
Welcome$ HoratioADDWelcome$ good ?arcellus&
?ar&
What$ has this thing appear!d again toDnightR
-er&
1 ha#e seen nothing&
?ar&
Horatio sas !tis but our fantas$
Bnd "ill not let belief take hold of him
)ouching this dreaded sight$ t"ice seen of usA
)herefore 1 ha#e entreated him along
With us to "atch the minutes of this nightJ
)hat$ if again this apparition come
He ma appro#e our ees and speak to it&
Hor&
)ush$ tush$ !t"ill not appear&
-er&
Sit do"n a"hile$
Bnd let us once again assail our ears$
)hat are so fortified against our stor$
What "e t"o nights ha#e seen&
Hor&
Well$ sit "e do"n$
Bnd let us hear -ernardo speak of this&
-er&
@ast night of all$
When ond same star that!s "est"ard from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of hea#en
Where no" it burns$ ?arcellus and mself$
)he bell then beating one$DD
?ar&
Peace$ break thee offJ look "here it comes again%
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
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b William Shakespeare
PE,S=4S ,EP,ESE4)E'&
Claudius$ Ving of 'enmark&
Hamlet$ Son to the former$ and 4ephe" to the present Ving&
Polonius$ @ord Chamberlain&
Horatio$ *riend to Hamlet&
@aertes$ Son to Polonius&
+oltimand$ Courtier&
Cornelius$ Courtier&
,osencrant<$ Courtier&
Guildenstern$ Courtier&
=sric$ Courtier&
B Gentleman$ Courtier&
B Priest&
?arcellus$ =fficer&
-ernardo$ =fficer&
*rancisco$ a Soldier
,enaldo$ Ser#ant to Polonius&
Plaers&
)"o Clo"ns$ Gra#eDdiggers&
*ortinbras$ Prince of 4or"a&
B Captain&
English Bmbassadors&
Ghost of Hamlet!s *ather&
Gertrude$ Uueen of 'enmark$ and ?other of Hamlet&
=phelia$ 'aughter to Polonius&
@ords$ @adies$ =fficers$ Soldiers$ Sailors$ ?essengers$ and other
Bttendants&
SCE4E& Elsinore&
BC) 1&
Scene 1& Elsinore& B platform before the Castle&
2*rancisco at his post& Enter to him -ernardo&3
-er&
Who!s thereR
*ran&
4a$ ans"er meA stand$ and unfold ourself&
-er&
@ong li#e the king%
*ran&
-ernardoR
-er&
He&
*ran&
Pou come most carefull upon our hour&
-er&
!)is no" struck t"el#e& Get thee to bed$ *rancisco&
*ran&
*or this relief much thanksA !tis bitter cold$
Bnd 1 am sick at heart&
-er&
Ha#e ou had Tuiet guardR
*ran&
4ot a mouse stirring&
-er&
Well$ good night&
1f ou do meet Horatio and ?arcellus$
)he ri#als of m "atch$ bid them make haste&
*ran&
1 think 1 hear them&DDStand$ ho% Who is thereR
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
Hor&
*riends to this ground&
?ar&
Bnd liegemen to the 'ane&
*ran&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
?ar&
=$ fare"ell$ honest soldierJ
Who hath relie#!d ouR
*ran&
-ernardo has m place&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
2Exit&3
?ar&
Holla% -ernardo%
-er&
Sa&
What$ is Horatio thereR
Hor&
B piece of him&
-er&
Welcome$ HoratioADDWelcome$ good ?arcellus&
?ar&
What$ has this thing appear!d again toDnightR
-er&
1 ha#e seen nothing&
?ar&
Horatio sas !tis but our fantas$
Bnd "ill not let belief take hold of him
)ouching this dreaded sight$ t"ice seen of usA
)herefore 1 ha#e entreated him along
With us to "atch the minutes of this nightJ
)hat$ if again this apparition come
He ma appro#e our ees and speak to it&
Hor&
)ush$ tush$ !t"ill not appear&
-er&
Sit do"n a"hile$
Bnd let us once again assail our ears$
)hat are so fortified against our stor$
What "e t"o nights ha#e seen&
Hor&
Well$ sit "e do"n$
Bnd let us hear -ernardo speak of this&
-er&
@ast night of all$
When ond same star that!s "est"ard from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of hea#en
Where no" it burns$ ?arcellus and mself$
)he bell then beating one$DD
?ar&
Peace$ break thee offJ look "here it comes again%
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
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b William Shakespeare
PE,S=4S ,EP,ESE4)E'&
Claudius$ Ving of 'enmark&
Hamlet$ Son to the former$ and 4ephe" to the present Ving&
Polonius$ @ord Chamberlain&
Horatio$ *riend to Hamlet&
@aertes$ Son to Polonius&
+oltimand$ Courtier&
Cornelius$ Courtier&
,osencrant<$ Courtier&
Guildenstern$ Courtier&
=sric$ Courtier&
B Gentleman$ Courtier&
B Priest&
?arcellus$ =fficer&
-ernardo$ =fficer&
*rancisco$ a Soldier
,enaldo$ Ser#ant to Polonius&
Plaers&
)"o Clo"ns$ Gra#eDdiggers&
*ortinbras$ Prince of 4or"a&
B Captain&
English Bmbassadors&
Ghost of Hamlet!s *ather&
Gertrude$ Uueen of 'enmark$ and ?other of Hamlet&
=phelia$ 'aughter to Polonius&
@ords$ @adies$ =fficers$ Soldiers$ Sailors$ ?essengers$ and other
Bttendants&
SCE4E& Elsinore&
BC) 1&
Scene 1& Elsinore& B platform before the Castle&
2*rancisco at his post& Enter to him -ernardo&3
-er&
Who!s thereR
*ran&
4a$ ans"er meA stand$ and unfold ourself&
-er&
@ong li#e the king%
*ran&
-ernardoR
-er&
He&
*ran&
Pou come most carefull upon our hour&
-er&
!)is no" struck t"el#e& Get thee to bed$ *rancisco&
*ran&
*or this relief much thanksA !tis bitter cold$
Bnd 1 am sick at heart&
-er&
Ha#e ou had Tuiet guardR
*ran&
4ot a mouse stirring&
-er&
Well$ good night&
1f ou do meet Horatio and ?arcellus$
)he ri#als of m "atch$ bid them make haste&
*ran&
1 think 1 hear them&DDStand$ ho% Who is thereR
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
Hor&
*riends to this ground&
?ar&
Bnd liegemen to the 'ane&
*ran&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
?ar&
=$ fare"ell$ honest soldierJ
Who hath relie#!d ouR
*ran&
-ernardo has m place&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
2Exit&3
?ar&
Holla% -ernardo%
-er&
Sa&
What$ is Horatio thereR
Hor&
B piece of him&
-er&
Welcome$ HoratioADDWelcome$ good ?arcellus&
?ar&
What$ has this thing appear!d again toDnightR
-er&
1 ha#e seen nothing&
?ar&
Horatio sas !tis but our fantas$
Bnd "ill not let belief take hold of him
)ouching this dreaded sight$ t"ice seen of usA
)herefore 1 ha#e entreated him along
With us to "atch the minutes of this nightJ
)hat$ if again this apparition come
He ma appro#e our ees and speak to it&
Hor&
)ush$ tush$ !t"ill not appear&
-er&
Sit do"n a"hile$
Bnd let us once again assail our ears$
)hat are so fortified against our stor$
What "e t"o nights ha#e seen&
Hor&
Well$ sit "e do"n$
Bnd let us hear -ernardo speak of this&
-er&
@ast night of all$
When ond same star that!s "est"ard from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of hea#en
Where no" it burns$ ?arcellus and mself$
)he bell then beating one$DD
?ar&
Peace$ break thee offJ look "here it comes again%
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
(E4'()HE S?B@@ P,14)% *=, P>-@1C '=?B14 E)EQ)S(+er&;9&8/&/E(E4'(
)his etext "as prepared b 'ianne -ean&
HB?@E)$ P,14CE =* 'E4?B,V
b William Shakespeare
PE,S=4S ,EP,ESE4)E'&
Claudius$ Ving of 'enmark&
Hamlet$ Son to the former$ and 4ephe" to the present Ving&
Polonius$ @ord Chamberlain&
Horatio$ *riend to Hamlet&
@aertes$ Son to Polonius&
+oltimand$ Courtier&
Cornelius$ Courtier&
,osencrant<$ Courtier&
Guildenstern$ Courtier&
=sric$ Courtier&
B Gentleman$ Courtier&
B Priest&
?arcellus$ =fficer&
-ernardo$ =fficer&
*rancisco$ a Soldier
,enaldo$ Ser#ant to Polonius&
Plaers&
)"o Clo"ns$ Gra#eDdiggers&
*ortinbras$ Prince of 4or"a&
B Captain&
English Bmbassadors&
Ghost of Hamlet!s *ather&
Gertrude$ Uueen of 'enmark$ and ?other of Hamlet&
=phelia$ 'aughter to Polonius&
@ords$ @adies$ =fficers$ Soldiers$ Sailors$ ?essengers$ and other
Bttendants&
SCE4E& Elsinore&
BC) 1&
Scene 1& Elsinore& B platform before the Castle&
2*rancisco at his post& Enter to him -ernardo&3
-er&
Who!s thereR
*ran&
4a$ ans"er meA stand$ and unfold ourself&
-er&
@ong li#e the king%
*ran&
-ernardoR
-er&
He&
*ran&
Pou come most carefull upon our hour&
-er&
!)is no" struck t"el#e& Get thee to bed$ *rancisco&
*ran&
*or this relief much thanksA !tis bitter cold$
Bnd 1 am sick at heart&
-er&
Ha#e ou had Tuiet guardR
*ran&
4ot a mouse stirring&
-er&
Well$ good night&
1f ou do meet Horatio and ?arcellus$
)he ri#als of m "atch$ bid them make haste&
*ran&
1 think 1 hear them&DDStand$ ho% Who is thereR
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
Hor&
*riends to this ground&
?ar&
Bnd liegemen to the 'ane&
*ran&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
?ar&
=$ fare"ell$ honest soldierJ
Who hath relie#!d ouR
*ran&
-ernardo has m place&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
2Exit&3
?ar&
Holla% -ernardo%
-er&
Sa&
What$ is Horatio thereR
Hor&
B piece of him&
-er&
Welcome$ HoratioADDWelcome$ good ?arcellus&
?ar&
What$ has this thing appear!d again toDnightR
-er&
1 ha#e seen nothing&
?ar&
Horatio sas !tis but our fantas$
Bnd "ill not let belief take hold of him
)ouching this dreaded sight$ t"ice seen of usA
)herefore 1 ha#e entreated him along
With us to "atch the minutes of this nightJ
)hat$ if again this apparition come
He ma appro#e our ees and speak to it&
Hor&
)ush$ tush$ !t"ill not appear&
-er&
Sit do"n a"hile$
Bnd let us once again assail our ears$
)hat are so fortified against our stor$
What "e t"o nights ha#e seen&
Hor&
Well$ sit "e do"n$
Bnd let us hear -ernardo speak of this&
-er&
@ast night of all$
When ond same star that!s "est"ard from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of hea#en
Where no" it burns$ ?arcellus and mself$
)he bell then beating one$DD
?ar&
Peace$ break thee offJ look "here it comes again%
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Scene 1& Elsinore& B platform before the Castle&
2*rancisco at his post& Enter to him -ernardo&3
-er&
Who!s thereR
*ran&
4a$ ans"er meA stand$ and unfold ourself&
-er&
@ong li#e the king%
*ran&
-ernardoR
-er&
He&
*ran&
Pou come most carefull upon our hour&
-er&
!)is no" struck t"el#e& Get thee to bed$ *rancisco&
*ran&
*or this relief much thanksA !tis bitter cold$
Bnd 1 am sick at heart&
-er&
Ha#e ou had Tuiet guardR
*ran&
4ot a mouse stirring&
-er&
Well$ good night&
1f ou do meet Horatio and ?arcellus$
)he ri#als of m "atch$ bid them make haste&
*ran&
1 think 1 hear them&DDStand$ ho% Who is thereR
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
Hor&
*riends to this ground&
?ar&
Bnd liegemen to the 'ane&
*ran&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
?ar&
=$ fare"ell$ honest soldierJ
Who hath relie#!d ouR
*ran&
-ernardo has m place&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
2Exit&3
?ar&
Holla% -ernardo%
-er&
Sa&
What$ is Horatio thereR
Hor&
B piece of him&
-er&
Welcome$ HoratioADDWelcome$ good ?arcellus&
?ar&
What$ has this thing appear!d again toDnightR
-er&
1 ha#e seen nothing&
?ar&
Horatio sas !tis but our fantas$
Bnd "ill not let belief take hold of him
)ouching this dreaded sight$ t"ice seen of usA
)herefore 1 ha#e entreated him along
With us to "atch the minutes of this nightJ
)hat$ if again this apparition come
He ma appro#e our ees and speak to it&
Hor&
)ush$ tush$ !t"ill not appear&
-er&
Sit do"n a"hile$
Bnd let us once again assail our ears$
)hat are so fortified against our stor$
What "e t"o nights ha#e seen&
Hor&
Well$ sit "e do"n$
Bnd let us hear -ernardo speak of this&
-er&
@ast night of all$
When ond same star that!s "est"ard from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of hea#en
Where no" it burns$ ?arcellus and mself$
)he bell then beating one$DD
?ar&
Peace$ break thee offJ look "here it comes again%
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
*ran&
-ernardo has m place&
Gi#e ou goodDnight&
2Exit&3
?ar&
Holla% -ernardo%
-er&
Sa&
What$ is Horatio thereR
Hor&
B piece of him&
-er&
Welcome$ HoratioADDWelcome$ good ?arcellus&
?ar&
What$ has this thing appear!d again toDnightR
-er&
1 ha#e seen nothing&
?ar&
Horatio sas !tis but our fantas$
Bnd "ill not let belief take hold of him
)ouching this dreaded sight$ t"ice seen of usA
)herefore 1 ha#e entreated him along
With us to "atch the minutes of this nightJ
)hat$ if again this apparition come
He ma appro#e our ees and speak to it&
Hor&
)ush$ tush$ !t"ill not appear&
-er&
Sit do"n a"hile$
Bnd let us once again assail our ears$
)hat are so fortified against our stor$
What "e t"o nights ha#e seen&
Hor&
Well$ sit "e do"n$
Bnd let us hear -ernardo speak of this&
-er&
@ast night of all$
When ond same star that!s "est"ard from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of hea#en
Where no" it burns$ ?arcellus and mself$
)he bell then beating one$DD
?ar&
Peace$ break thee offJ look "here it comes again%
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
2Enter Ghost$ armed&3
-er&
1n the same figure$ like the king that!s dead&
?ar&
)hou art a scholarJ speak to it$ Horatio&
-er&
@ooks it not like the VingR mark it$ Horatio&
Hor&
?ost likeADDit harro"s me "ith fear and "onder&
-er&
1t "ould be spoke to&
?ar&
Uuestion it$ Horatio&
Hor&
What art thou$ that usurp!st this time of night$
)ogether "ith that fair and "arlike form
1n "hich the majest of buried 'enmark
'id sometimes marchR - hea#en 1 charge thee$ speak%
?ar&
1t is offended&
-er&
See$ it stalks a"a%
Hor&
Sta% speak$ speak% 1 charge thee speak%
2Exit Ghost&3
?ar&
!)is gone$ and "ill not ans"er&
-er&
Ho" no"$ Horatio% Pou tremble and look paleA
1s not this something more than fantasR
What think ou on!tR
Hor&
-efore m God$ 1 might not this belie#e
Without the sensible and true a#ouch
=f mine o"n ees&
?ar&
1s it not like the VingR
Hor&
Bs thou art to thselfA
Such "as the #er armour he had on
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
When he the ambitious 4or"a combatedJ
So fro"n!d he once "hen$ in an angr parle$
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice&
!)is strange&
?ar&
)hus t"ice before$ and jump at this dead hour$
With martial stalk hath he gone b our "atch&
Hor&
1n "hat particular thought to "ork 1 kno" notJ
-ut$ in the gross and scope of m opinion$
)his bodes some strange eruption to our state&
?ar&
Good no"$ sit do"n$ and tell me$ he that kno"s$
Wh this same strict and most obser#ant "atch
So nightl toils the subject of the landJ
Bnd "h such dail cast of bra<en cannon$
Bnd foreign mart for implements of "arJ
Wh such impress of ship"rights$ "hose sore task
'oes not di#ide the Sunda from the "eekJ
What might be to"ard$ that this s"eat haste
'oth make the night jointDlabourer "ith the daA
Who is!t that can inform meR
Hor&
)hat can 1J
Bt least$ the "hisper goes so& =ur last king$
Whose image e#en but no" appear!d to us$
Was$ as ou kno"$ b *ortinbras of 4or"a$
)hereto prick!d on b a most emulate pride$
'ar!d to the combatJ in "hich our #aliant Hamlet$DD
*or so this side of our kno"n "orld esteem!d him$DD
'id sla this *ortinbrasJ "ho$ b a seal!d compact$
Well ratified b la" and heraldr$
'id forfeit$ "ith his life$ all those his lands$
Which he stood sei<!d of$ to the conTuerorA
Bgainst the "hich$ a moiet competent
Was gaged b our kingJ "hich had return!d
)o the inheritance of *ortinbras$
Had he been #anTuisherJ as b the same co#!nant$
Bnd carriage of the article design!d$
His fell to Hamlet& 4o"$ sir$ oung *ortinbras$
=f unimpro#ed mettle hot and full$
Hath in the skirts of 4or"a$ here and there$
Shark!d up a list of la"less resolutes$
*or food and diet$ to some enterprise
)hat hath a stomach in!tJ "hich is no other$DD
Bs it doth "ell appear unto our state$DD
-ut to reco#er of us$ b strong hand$
Bnd terms compulsator$ those foresaid lands
So b his father lostA and this$ 1 take it$
1s the main moti#e of our preparations$
)he source of this our "atch$ and the chief head
=f this postDhaste and romage in the land&
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
-er&
1 think it be no other but e!en soA
Well ma it sort$ that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our "atchJ so like the king
)hat "as and is the Tuestion of these "ars&
Hor&
B mote it is to trouble the mind!s ee&
1n the most high and palm state of ,ome$
B little ere the mightiest Sulius fell$
)he gra#es stood tenantless$ and the sheeted dead
'id sTueak and gibber in the ,oman streetsJ
Bs$ stars "ith trains of fire and de"s of blood$
'isasters in the sunJ and the moist star$
>pon "hose influence 4eptune!s empire stands$
Was sick almost to doomsda "ith eclipseA
Bnd e#en the like precurse of fierce e#ents$DD
Bs harbingers preceding still the fates$
Bnd prologue to the omen coming on$DD
Ha#e hea#en and earth together demonstrated
>nto our climature and countrmen&DD
-ut$ soft$ behold% lo$ "here it comes again%
2,eDenter Ghost&3
1!ll cross it$ though it blast me&DDSta$ illusion%
1f thou hast an sound$ or use of #oice$
Speak to meA
1f there be an good thing to be done$
)hat ma to thee do ease$ and$ race to me$
Speak to meA
1f thou art pri# to th countr!s fate$
Which$ happil$ forekno"ing ma a#oid$
=$ speak%
=r if thou hast uphoarded in th life
Extorted treasure in the "omb of earth$
*or "hich$ the sa$ ou spirits oft "alk in death$
2)he cock cro"s&3
Speak of itADDsta$ and speak%DDStop it$ ?arcellus%
?ar&
Shall 1 strike at it "ith m partisanR
Hor&
'o$ if it "ill not stand&
-er&
!)is here%
Hor&
!)is here%
?ar&
!)is gone%
2Exit Ghost&3
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
We do it "rong$ being so majestical$
)o offer it the sho" of #iolenceJ
*or it is$ as the air$ in#ulnerable$
Bnd our #ain blo"s malicious mocker&
-er&
1t "as about to speak$ "hen the cock cre"&
Hor&
Bnd then it started$ like a guilt thing
>pon a fearful summons& 1 ha#e heard
)he cock$ that is the trumpet to the morn$
'oth "ith his loft and shrillDsounding throat
B"ake the god of daJ and at his "arning$
Whether in sea or fire$ in earth or air$
)he extra#agant and erring spirit hies
)o his confineA and of the truth herein
)his present object made probation&
?ar&
1t faded on the cro"ing of the cock&
Some sa that e#er !gainst that season comes
Wherein our Sa#iour!s birth is celebrated$
)he bird of da"ning singeth all night longJ
Bnd then$ the sa$ no spirit dare stir abroadJ
)he nights are "holesomeJ then no planets strike$
4o fair takes$ nor "itch hath po"er to charmJ
So hallo"!d and so gracious is the time&
Hor&
So ha#e 1 heard$ and do in part belie#e it&
-ut$ look$ the morn$ in russet mantle clad$
Walks o!er the de" of on high east"ard hillA
-reak "e our "atch upA and b m ad#ice$
@et us impart "hat "e ha#e seen toDnight
>nto oung HamletJ for$ upon m life$
)his spirit$ dumb to us$ "ill speak to himA
'o ou consent "e shall acTuaint him "ith it$
Bs needful in our lo#es$ fitting our dutR
?ar&
@et!s do!t$ 1 praJ and 1 this morning kno"
Where "e shall find him most con#enientl&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Elsinore& B room of state in the Castle&
2Enter the Ving$ Uueen$ Hamlet$ Polonius$ @aertes$ +oltimand$
Cornelius$ @ords$ and Bttendant&3
Ving&
)hough et of Hamlet our dear brother!s death
)he memor be green$ and that it us befitted
)o bear our hearts in grief$ and our "hole kingdom
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
)o be contracted in one bro" of "oeJ
Pet so far hath discretion fought "ith nature
)hat "e "ith "isest sorro" think on him$
)ogether "ith remembrance of oursel#es&
)herefore our sometime sister$ no" our Tueen$
)h! imperial jointress to this "arlike state$
Ha#e "e$ as !t"ere "ith a defeated jo$DD
With an auspicious and one dropping ee$
With mirth in funeral$ and "ith dirge in marriage$
1n eTual scale "eighing delight and dole$DD
)aken to "ifeJ nor ha#e "e herein barr!d
Pour better "isdoms$ "hich ha#e freel gone
With this affair alongADDor all$ our thanks&
4o" follo"s$ that ou kno"$ oung *ortinbras$
Holding a "eak supposal of our "orth$
=r thinking b our late dear brother!s death
=ur state to be disjoint and out of frame$
Colleagued "ith this dream of his ad#antage$
He hath not fail!d to pester us "ith message$
1mporting the surrender of those lands
@ost b his father$ "ith all bonds of la"$
)o our most #aliant brother& So much for him$DD
4o" for ourself and for this time of meetingA
)hus much the business isADD"e ha#e here "rit
)o 4or"a$ uncle of oung *ortinbras$DD
Who$ impotent and bedDrid$ scarcel hears
=f this his nephe"!s purpose$DDto suppress
His further gait hereinJ in that the le#ies$
)he lists$ and full proportions are all made
=ut of his subjectADDand "e here dispatch
Pou$ good Cornelius$ and ou$ +oltimand$
*or bearers of this greeting to old 4or"aJ
Gi#ing to ou no further personal po"er
)o business "ith the king$ more than the scope
=f these dilated articles allo"&
*are"ellJ and let our haste commend our dut&
Cor& and +olt&
1n that and all things "ill "e sho" our dut&
Ving&
We doubt it nothingA heartil fare"ell&
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Bnd no"$ @aertes$ "hat!s the ne"s "ith ouR
Pou told us of some suitJ "hat is!t$ @aertesR
Pou cannot speak of reason to the 'ane$
Bnd lose our #oiceA "hat "ouldst thou beg$ @aertes$
)hat shall not be m offer$ not th askingR
)he head is not more nati#e to the heart$
)he hand more instrumental to the mouth$
)han is the throne of 'enmark to th father&
What "ouldst thou ha#e$ @aertesR
@aer&
'read m lord$
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Pour lea#e and fa#our to return to *ranceJ
*rom "hence though "illingl 1 came to 'enmark$
)o sho" m dut in our coronationJ
Pet no"$ 1 must confess$ that dut done$
? thoughts and "ishes bend again to"ard *rance$
Bnd bo" them to our gracious lea#e and pardon&
Ving&
Ha#e ou our father!s lea#eR What sas PoloniusR
Pol&
He hath$ m lord$ "rung from me m slo" lea#e
- laboursome petitionJ and at last
>pon his "ill 1 seal!d m hard consentA
1 do beseech ou$ gi#e him lea#e to go&
Ving&
)ake th fair hour$ @aertesJ time be thine$
Bnd th best graces spend it at th "ill%DD
-ut no"$ m cousin Hamlet$ and m sonDD
Ham&
2Bside&3 B little more than kin$ and less than kind%
Ving&
Ho" is it that the clouds still hang on ouR
Ham&
4ot so$ m lordJ 1 am too much i! the sun&
Uueen&
Good Hamlet$ cast th nighted colour off$
Bnd let thine ee look like a friend on 'enmark&
'o not for e#er "ith th #ailed lids
Seek for th noble father in the dustA
)hou kno"!st !tis common$DDall that li#es must die$
Passing through nature to eternit&
Ham&
B$ madam$ it is common&
Uueen&
1f it be$
Wh seems it so particular "ith theeR
Ham&
Seems$ madam% 4a$ it isJ 1 kno" not seems&
!)is not alone m ink cloak$ good mother$
4or customar suits of solemn black$
4or "ind suspiration of forc!d breath$
4o$ nor the fruitful ri#er in the ee$
4or the dejected !ha#ior of the #isage$
)ogether "ith all forms$ moods$ sho"s of grief$
)hat can denote me trulA these$ indeed$ seemJ
*or the are actions that a man might plaJ
-ut 1 ha#e that "ithin "hich passeth sho"J
)hese but the trappings and the suits of "oe&
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Ving&
!)is s"eet and commendable in our nature$ Hamlet$
)o gi#e these mourning duties to our fatherJ
-ut$ ou must kno"$ our father lost a fatherJ
)hat father lost$ lost hisJ and the sur#i#or bound$
1n filial obligation$ for some term
)o do obseTuious sorro"A but to perse#ere
1n obstinate condolement is a course
=f impious stubbornnessJ !tis unmanl griefJ
1t sho"s a "ill most incorrect to hea#enJ
B heart unfortified$ a mind impatientJ
Bn understanding simple and unschool!dJ
*or "hat "e kno" must be$ and is as common
Bs an the most #ulgar thing to sense$
Wh should "e$ in our pee#ish opposition$
)ake it to heartR *ie% !tis a fault to hea#en$
B fault against the dead$ a fault to nature$
)o reason most absurdJ "hose common theme
1s death of fathers$ and "ho still hath cried$
*rom the first corse till he that died toDda$
!)his must be so&! We pra ou$ thro" to earth
)his unpre#ailing "oeJ and think of us
Bs of a fatherA for let the "orld take note
Pou are the most immediate to our throneJ
Bnd "ith no less nobilit of lo#e
)han that "hich dearest father bears his son
'o 1 impart to"ard ou& *or our intent
1n going back to school in Wittenberg$
1t is most retrograde to our desireA
Bnd "e beseech ou bend ou to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our ee$
=ur chiefest courtier$ cousin$ and our son&
Uueen&
@et not th mother lose her praers$ HamletA
1 pra thee sta "ith usJ go not to Wittenberg&
Ham&
1 shall in all m best obe ou$ madam&
Ving&
Wh$ !tis a lo#ing and a fair replA
-e as ourself in 'enmark&DD?adam$ comeJ
)his gentle and unforc!d accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to m heartA in grace "hereof$
4o jocund health that 'enmark drinks toDda
-ut the great cannon to the clouds shall tellJ
Bnd the king!s rouse the hea#en shall bruit again$
,eDspeaking earthl thunder& Come a"a&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ham&
= that this too too solid flesh "ould melt$
)ha"$ and resol#e itself into a de"%
=r that the E#erlasting had not fix!d
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
His canon !gainst selfDslaughter% = God% = God%
Ho" "ear$ stale$ flat$ and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this "orld%
*ie on!t% = fie% !tis an un"eeded garden$
)hat gro"s to seedJ things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merel& )hat it should come to this%
-ut t"o months dead%DDna$ not so much$ not t"oA
So excellent a kingJ that "as$ to this$
Hperion to a satrJ so lo#ing to m mother$
)hat he might not beteem the "inds of hea#en
+isit her face too roughl& Hea#en and earth%
?ust 1 rememberR Wh$ she "ould hang on him
Bs if increase of appetite had gro"n
- "hat it fed onA and et$ "ithin a month$DD
@et me not think on!t$DD*railt$ th name is "oman%DD
B little monthJ or ere those shoes "ere old
With "hich she follo"ed m poor father!s bod
@ike 4iobe$ all tearsJDD"h she$ e#en she$DD
= God% a beast that "ants discourse of reason$
Would ha#e mourn!d longer$DDmarried "ith mine uncle$
? father!s brotherJ but no more like m father
)han 1 to HerculesA "ithin a monthJ
Ere et the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled ees$
She marriedADD =$ most "icked speed$ to post
With such dexterit to incestuous sheets%
1t is not$ nor it cannot come to goodJ
-ut break m heart$DDfor 1 must hold m tongue%
2Enter Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
Hor&
Hail to our lordship%
Ham&
1 am glad to see ou "ellA
Horatio$DDor 1 do forget mself&
Hor&
)he same$ m lord$ and our poor ser#ant e#er&
Ham&
Sir$ m good friendJ 1!ll change that name "ith ouA
Bnd "hat make ou from Wittenberg$ HoratioRDD
?arcellusR
?ar&
? good lord$DD
Ham&
1 am #er glad to see ou&DDGood e#en$ sir&DD
-ut "hat$ in faith$ make ou from WittenbergR
Hor&
B truant disposition$ good m lord&
Ham&
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
1 "ould not hear our enem sa soJ
4or shall ou do m ear that #iolence$
)o make it truster of our o"n report
Bgainst ourselfA 1 kno" ou are no truant&
-ut "hat is our affair in ElsinoreR
We!ll teach ou to drink deep ere ou depart&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 came to see our father!s funeral&
Ham&
1 prithee do not mock me$ fello"Dstudent&
1 think it "as to see m mother!s "edding&
Hor&
1ndeed$ m lord$ it follo"!d hard upon&
Ham&
)hrift$ thrift$ Horatio% )he funeral bak!d meats
'id coldl furnish forth the marriage tables&
Would 1 had met m dearest foe in hea#en
=r e#er 1 had seen that da$ Horatio%DD
? father$DDmethinks 1 see m father&
Hor&
Where$ m lordR
Ham&
1n m mind!s ee$ Horatio&
Hor&
1 sa" him onceJ he "as a goodl king&
Ham&
He "as a man$ take him for all in all$
1 shall not look upon his like again&
Hor&
? lord$ 1 think 1 sa" him esternight&
Ham&
Sa" "hoR
Hor&
? lord$ the king our father&
Ham&
)he Ving m father%
Hor&
Season our admiration for a"hile
With an attent ear$ till 1 ma deli#er$
>pon the "itness of these gentlemen$
)his mar#el to ou&
Ham&
*or God!s lo#e let me hear&
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Hor&
)"o nights together had these gentlemen$
?arcellus and -ernardo$ on their "atch
1n the dead #ast and middle of the night$
-een thus encounter!d& B figure like our father$
Brmed at point exactl$ capDaDpe$
Bppears before them and "ith solemn march
Goes slo" and statel b themA thrice he "alk!d
- their oppress!d and fearDsurprised ees$
Within his truncheon!s lengthJ "hilst the$ distill!d
Blmost to jell "ith the act of fear$
Stand dumb$ and speak not to him& )his to me
1n dreadful secrec impart the didJ
Bnd 1 "ith them the third night kept the "atchA
Where$ as the had deli#er!d$ both in time$
*orm of the thing$ each "ord made true and good$
)he apparition comesA 1 kne" our fatherJ
)hese hands are not more like&
Ham&
-ut "here "as thisR
?ar&
? lord$ upon the platform "here "e "atch!d&
Ham&
'id ou not speak to itR
Hor&
? lord$ 1 didJ
-ut ans"er made it noneA et once methought
1t lifted up it head$ and did address
1tself to motion$ like as it "ould speakA
-ut e#en then the morning cock cre" loud$
Bnd at the sound it shrunk in haste a"a$
Bnd #anish!d from our sight&
Ham&
!)is #er strange&
Hor&
Bs 1 do li#e$ m honour!d lord$ !tis trueJ
Bnd "e did think it "rit do"n in our dut
)o let ou kno" of it&
Ham&
1ndeed$ indeed$ sirs$ but this troubles me&
Hold ou the "atch toDnightR
?ar& and -er&
We do$ m lord&
Ham&
Brm!d$ sa ouR
-oth&
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Brm!d$ m lord&
Ham&
*rom top to toeR
-oth&
? lord$ from head to foot&
Ham&
)hen sa" ou not his faceR
Hor&
=$ es$ m lordA he "ore his bea#er up&
Ham&
What$ look!d he fro"ninglR
Hor&
B countenance more in sorro" than in anger&
Ham&
Pale or redR
Hor&
4a$ #er pale&
Ham&
Bnd fix!d his ees upon ouR
Hor&
?ost constantl&
Ham&
1 "ould 1 had been there&
Hor&
1t "ould ha#e much ama<!d ou&
Ham&
+er like$ #er like& Sta!d it longR
Hor&
While one "ith moderate haste might tell a hundred&
?ar& and -er&
@onger$ longer&
Hor&
4ot "hen 1 sa"!t&
Ham&
His beard "as gri<<led$DDnoR
Hor&
1t "as$ as 1 ha#e seen it in his life$
B sable sil#er!d&
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Ham&
1 "ill "atch toDnightJ
Perchance !t"ill "alk again&
Hor&
1 "arr!nt it "ill&
Ham&
1f it assume m noble father!s person$
1!ll speak to it$ though hell itself should gape
Bnd bid me hold m peace& 1 pra ou all$
1f ou ha#e hitherto conceal!d this sight$
@et it be tenable in our silence stillJ
Bnd "hatsoe#er else shall hap toDnight$
Gi#e it an understanding$ but no tongueA
1 "ill reTuite our lo#es& So$ fare e "ellA
>pon the platform$ !t"ixt ele#en and t"el#e$
1!ll #isit ou&
Bll&
=ur dut to our honour&
Ham&
Pour lo#es$ as mine to ouA fare"ell&
2Exeunt Horatio$ ?arcellus$ and -ernardo&3
? father!s spirit in arms% Bll is not "ellJ
1 doubt some foul plaA "ould the night "ere come%
)ill then sit still$ m soulA foul deeds "ill rise$
)hough all the earth o!er"helm them$ to men!s ees&
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter @aertes and =phelia&3
@aer&
? necessaries are embark!dA fare"ellA
Bnd$ sister$ as the "inds gi#e benefit
Bnd con#o is assistant$ do not sleep$
-ut let me hear from ou&
=ph&
'o ou doubt thatR
@aer&
*or Hamlet$ and the trifling of his fa#our$
Hold it a fashion$ and a to in bloodA
B #iolet in the outh of prim nature$
*or"ard$ not permanent$ s"eet$ not lastingJ
)he perfume and suppliance of a minuteJ
4o more&
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
=ph&
4o more but soR
@aer&
)hink it no moreA
*or nature$ crescent$ does not gro" alone
1n the"s and bulkJ but as this temple "axes$
)he in"ard ser#ice of the mind and soul
Gro"s "ide "ithal& Perhaps he lo#es ou no"J
Bnd no" no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
)he #irtue of his "illA but ou must fear$
His greatness "eigh!d$ his "ill is not his o"nJ
*or he himself is subject to his birthA
He ma not$ as un#alu!d persons do$
Car#e for himselfJ for on his choice depends
)he safet and health of this "hole stateJ
Bnd therefore must his choice be circumscrib!d
>nto the #oice and ielding of that bod
Whereof he is the head& )hen if he sas he lo#es ou$
1t fits our "isdom so far to belie#e it
Bs he in his particular act and place
?a gi#e his saing deedJ "hich is no further
)han the main #oice of 'enmark goes "ithal&
)hen "eigh "hat loss our honour ma sustain
1f "ith too credent ear ou list his songs$
=r lose our heart$ or our chaste treasure open
)o his unmaster!d importunit&
*ear it$ =phelia$ fear it$ m dear sisterJ
Bnd keep ou in the rear of our affection$
=ut of the shot and danger of desire&
)he chariest maid is prodigal enough
1f she unmask her beaut to the moonA
+irtue itself scopes not calumnious strokesA
)he canker galls the infants of the spring
)oo oft before their buttons be disclos!dA
Bnd in the morn and liTuid de" of outh
Contagious blastments are most imminent&
-e "ar thenJ best safet lies in fearA
Pouth to itself rebels$ though none else near&
=ph&
1 shall th! effect of this good lesson keep
Bs "atchman to m heart& -ut$ good m brother$
'o not$ as some ungracious pastors do$
Sho" me the steep and thorn "a to hea#enJ
Whilst$ like a puff!d and reckless libertine$
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
Bnd recks not his o"n read&
@aer&
=$ fear me not&
1 sta too longADDbut here m father comes&
2Enter Polonius&3
B double blessing is a double graceJ
=ccasion smiles upon a second lea#e&
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Pol&
Pet here$ @aertes% aboard$ aboard$ for shame%
)he "ind sits in the shoulder of our sail$
Bnd ou are sta!d for& )here$DDm blessing "ith thee%
2@aing his hand on @aertes!s head&3
Bnd these fe" precepts in th memor
@ook thou character& Gi#e th thoughts no tongue$
4or an unproportion!d thought his act&
-e thou familiar$ but b no means #ulgar&
)hose friends thou hast$ and their adoption tried$
Grapple them unto th soul "ith hoops of steelJ
-ut do not dull th palm "ith entertainment
=f each ne"Dhatch!d$ unfledg!d comrade& -e"are
=f entrance to a TuarrelJ but$ being in$
-ear!t that the opposed ma be"are of thee&
Gi#e e#er man thine ear$ but fe" th #oiceA
)ake each man!s censure$ but reser#e th judgment&
Costl th habit as th purse can bu$
-ut not express!d in fancJ rich$ not gaudA
*or the apparel oft proclaims the manJ
Bnd the in *rance of the best rank and station
Bre most select and generous chief in that&
4either a borro"er nor a lender beA
*or loan oft loses both itself and friendJ
Bnd borro"ing dulls the edge of husbandr&
)his abo#e all$DDto thine o"n self be trueJ
Bnd it must follo"$ as the night the da$
)hou canst not then be false to an man&
*are"ellA m blessing season this in thee%
@aer&
?ost humbl do 1 take m lea#e$ m lord&
Pol&
)he time in#ites ouJ go$ our ser#ants tend&
@aer&
*are"ell$ =pheliaJ and remember "ell
What 1 ha#e said to ou&
=ph&
!)is in m memor lock!d$
Bnd ou ourself shall keep the ke of it&
@aer&
*are"ell&
2Exit&3
Pol&
What is!t$ =phelia$ he hath said to ouR
=ph&
So please ou$ something touching the @ord Hamlet&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Pol&
?arr$ "ell bethoughtA
!)is told me he hath #er oft of late
Gi#en pri#ate time to ouJ and ou ourself
Ha#e of our audience been most free and bounteousJ
1f it be so$DDas so !tis put on me$
Bnd that in "a of caution$DD1 must tell ou
Pou do not understand ourself so clearl
Bs it behoo#es m daughter and our honour&
What is bet"een ouR gi#e me up the truth&
=ph&
He hath$ m lord$ of late made man tenders
=f his affection to me&
Pol&
Bffection% pooh% ou speak like a green girl$
>nsifted in such perilous circumstance&
'o ou belie#e his tenders$ as ou call themR
=ph&
1 do not kno"$ m lord$ "hat 1 should think&
Pol&
?arr$ 1!ll teach ouA think ourself a babJ
)hat ou ha#e ta!en these tenders for true pa$
Which are not sterling& )ender ourself more dearlJ
=r$DDnot to crack the "ind of the poor phrase$
Wronging it thus$DDou!ll tender me a fool&
=ph&
? lord$ he hath importun!d me "ith lo#e
1n honourable fashion&
Pol&
B$ fashion ou ma call itJ go to$ go to&
=ph&
Bnd hath gi#en countenance to his speech$ m lord$
With almost all the hol #o"s of hea#en&
Pol&
B$ springes to catch "oodcocks& 1 do kno"$
When the blood burns$ ho" prodigal the soul
@ends the tongue #o"sA these bla<es$ daughter$
Gi#ing more light than heat$DDextinct in both$
E#en in their promise$ as it is aDmaking$DD
Pou must not take for fire& *rom this time
-e something scanter of our maiden presenceJ
Set our entreatments at a higher rate
)han a command to parle& *or @ord Hamlet$
-elie#e so much in him$ that he is oungJ
Bnd "ith a larger tether ma he "alk
)han ma be gi#en ouA in fe"$ =phelia$
'o not belie#e his #o"sJ for the are brokers$DD
4ot of that de "hich their in#estments sho"$
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
-ut mere implorators of unhol suits$
-reathing like sanctified and pious ba"ds$
)he better to beguile& )his is for all$DD
1 "ould not$ in plain terms$ from this time forth
Ha#e ou so slander an moment leisure
Bs to gi#e "ords or talk "ith the @ord Hamlet&
@ook to!t$ 1 charge ouJ come our "as&
=ph&
1 shall obe$ m lord&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 1+& )he platform&
2Enter Hamlet$ Horatio$ and ?arcellus&3
Ham&
)he air bites shre"dlJ it is #er cold&
Hor&
1t is a nipping and an eager air&
Ham&
What hour no"R
Hor&
1 think it lacks of t"el#e&
?ar&
4o$ it is struck&
Hor&
1ndeedR 1 heard it notA then dra"s near the season
Wherein the spirit held his "ont to "alk&
2B flourish of trumpets$ and ordnance shot off "ithin&3
What does this mean$ m lordR
Ham&
)he Ving doth "ake toDnight and takes his rouse$
Veeps "assail$ and the s"aggering upDspring reelsJ
Bnd$ as he drains his draughts of ,henish do"n$
)he kettleDdrum and trumpet thus bra out
)he triumph of his pledge&
Hor&
1s it a customR
Ham&
B$ marr$ is!tJ
-ut to m mind$DDthough 1 am nati#e here$
Bnd to the manner born$DDit is a custom
?ore honour!d in the breach than the obser#ance&
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
)his hea#Dheaded re#el east and "est
?akes us traduc!d and tax!d of other nationsA
)he clepe us drunkards$ and "ith s"inish phrase
Soil our additionJ and$ indeed$ it takes
*rom our achie#ements$ though perform!d at height$
)he pith and marro" of our attribute&
So oft it chances in particular men
)hat$ for some #icious mole of nature in them$
Bs in their birth$DD"herein the are not guilt$
Since nature cannot choose his origin$DD
- the o!ergro"th of some complexion$
=ft breaking do"n the pales and forts of reasonJ
=r b some habit$ that too much o!erDlea#ens
)he form of plausi#e mannersJDDthat these men$DD
Carring$ 1 sa$ the stamp of one defect$
-eing nature!s li#er$ or fortune!s star$DD
)heir #irtues else$DDbe the as pure as grace$
Bs infinite as man ma undergo$DD
Shall in the general censure take corruption
*rom that particular faultA the dram of eale
'oth all the noble substance often doubt
)o his o"n scandal&
Hor&
@ook$ m lord$ it comes%
2Enter Ghost&3
Ham&
Bngels and ministers of grace defend us%DD
-e thou a spirit of health or goblin damn!d$
-ring "ith thee airs from hea#en or blasts from hell$
-e th intents "icked or charitable$
)hou com!st in such a Tuestionable shape
)hat 1 "ill speak to theeA 1!ll call thee Hamlet$
Ving$ father$ roal 'aneJ =$ ans"er me%
@et me not burst in ignoranceJ but tell
Wh th canoni<!d bones$ hearsed in death$
Ha#e burst their cerementsJ "h the sepulchre$
Wherein "e sa" thee Tuietl inDurn!d$
Hath op!d his ponderous and marble ja"s
)o cast thee up again% What ma this mean$
)hat thou$ dead corse$ again in complete steel$
,e#isit!st thus the glimpses of the moon$
?aking night hideous$ and "e fools of nature
So horridl to shake our disposition
With thoughts beond the reaches of our soulsR
Sa$ "h is thisR "hereforeR "hat should "e doR
2Ghost beckons Hamlet&3
Hor&
1t beckons ou to go a"a "ith it$
Bs if it some impartment did desire
)o ou alone&
?ar&
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
@ook "ith "hat courteous action
1t "a#es ou to a more remo#ed groundA
-ut do not go "ith it%
Hor&
4o$ b no means&
Ham&
1t "ill not speakJ then "ill 1 follo" it&
Hor&
'o not$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ "hat should be the fearR
1 do not set m life at a pin!s feeJ
Bnd for m soul$ "hat can it do to that$
-eing a thing immortal as itselfR
1t "a#es me forth againJDD1!ll follo" it&
Hor&
What if it tempt ou to"ard the flood$ m lord$
=r to the dreadful summit of the cliff
)hat beetles o!er his base into the sea$
Bnd there assume some other horrible form
Which might depri#e our so#ereignt of reason$
Bnd dra" ou into madnessR think of itA
)he #er place puts tos of desperation$
Without more moti#e$ into e#er brain
)hat looks so man fadoms to the sea
Bnd hears it roar beneath&
Ham&
1t "a#es me still&DD
Go onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
?ar&
Pou shall not go$ m lord&
Ham&
Hold off our hands&
Hor&
-e rul!dJ ou shall not go&
Ham&
? fate cries out$
Bnd makes each pett arter in this bod
Bs hard as the 4emean lion!s ner#e&DD
2Ghost beckons&3
Still am 1 call!dJDDunhand me$ gentlemenJDD
2-reaking free from them&3
- hea#en$ 1!ll make a ghost of him that lets me%DD
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
1 sa$ a"a%DDGo onJ 1!ll follo" thee&
2Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet&3
Hor&
He "axes desperate "ith imagination&
?ar&
@et!s follo"J !tis not fit thus to obe him&
Hor&
Ha#e after&DD)o "hat issue "ill this comeR
?ar&
Something is rotten in the state of 'enmark&
Hor&
Hea#en "ill direct it&
?ar&
4a$ let!s follo" him&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +& B more remote part of the Castle&
2Enter Ghost and Hamlet&3
Ham&
Whither "ilt thou lead meR speak% 1!ll go no further&
Ghost&
?ark me&
Ham&
1 "ill&
Ghost&
? hour is almost come$
When 1 to sulph!uous and tormenting flames
?ust render up mself&
Ham&
Blas$ poor ghost%
Ghost&
Pit me not$ but lend th serious hearing
)o "hat 1 shall unfold&
Ham&
SpeakJ1 am bound to hear&
Ghost&
So art thou to re#enge$ "hen thou shalt hear&
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
Ham&
WhatR
Ghost&
1 am th father!s spiritJ
'oom!d for a certain term to "alk the night$
Bnd for the da confin!d to "astein fires$
)ill the foul crimes done in m das of nature
Bre burnt and purg!d a"a& -ut that 1 am forbid
)o tell the secrets of m prisonDhouse$
1 could a tale unfold "hose lightest "ord
Would harro" up th soulJ free<e th oung bloodJ
?ake th t"o ees$ like stars$ start from their spheresJ
)h knotted and combined locks to part$
Bnd each particular hair to stand on end
@ike Tuills upon the fretful porcupineA
-ut this eternal bla<on must not be
)o ears of flesh and blood&DD@ist$ list$ =$ list%DD
1f thou didst e#er th dear father lo#eDD
Ham&
= God%
Ghost&
,e#enge his foul and most unnatural murder&
Ham&
?urder%
Ghost&
?urder most foul$ as in the best it isJ
-ut this most foul$ strange$ and unnatural&
Ham&
Haste me to kno"!t$ that 1$ "ith "ings as s"ift
Bs meditation or the thoughts of lo#e$
?a s"eep to m re#enge&
Ghost&
1 find thee aptJ
Bnd duller shouldst thou be than the fat "eed
)hat rots itself in ease on @ethe "harf$
Wouldst thou not stir in this& 4o"$ Hamlet$ hear&
!)is gi#en out that$ sleeping in m orchard$
B serpent stung meJ so the "hole ear of 'enmark
1s b a forged process of m death
,ankl abus!dJ but kno"$ thou noble outh$
)he serpent that did sting th father!s life
4o" "ears his cro"n&
Ham&
= m prophetic soul%
?ine uncle%
Ghost&
B$ that incestuous$ that adulterate beast$
With "itchcraft of his "it$ "ith traitorous gifts$DD
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
= "icked "it and gifts$ that ha#e the po"er
So to seduce%DD"on to his shameful lust
)he "ill of m most seemingD#irtuous TueenA
= Hamlet$ "hat a fallingDoff "as there%
*rom me$ "hose lo#e "as of that dignit
)hat it "ent hand in hand e#en "ith the #o"
1 made to her in marriageJ and to decline
>pon a "retch "hose natural gifts "ere poor
)o those of mine%
-ut #irtue$ as it ne#er "ill be mo#!d$
)hough le"dness court it in a shape of hea#enJ
So lust$ though to a radiant angel link!d$
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
Bnd pre on garbage&
-ut soft% methinks 1 scent the morning airJ
-rief let me be&DDSleeping "ithin m orchard$
? custom al"as of the afternoon$
>pon m secure hour th uncle stole$
With juice of cursed hebenon in a #ial$
Bnd in the porches of m ears did pour
)he leperous distilmentJ "hose effect
Holds such an enmit "ith blood of man
)hat$ s"ift as Tuicksil#er$ it courses through
)he natural gates and alles of the bodJ
Bnd "ith a sudden #igour it doth posset
Bnd curd$ like eager droppings into milk$
)he thin and "holesome bloodJ so did it mineJ
Bnd a most instant tetter bark!d about$
?ost la<arDlike$ "ith #ile and loathsome crust
Bll m smooth bod&
)hus "as 1$ sleeping$ b a brother!s hand$
=f life$ of cro"n$ of Tueen$ at once dispatch!dA
Cut off e#en in the blossoms of m sin$
>nhous!led$ disappointed$ unanel!dJ
4o reckoning made$ but sent to m account
With all m imperfections on m headA
=$ horrible% =$ horrible% most horrible%
1f thou hast nature in thee$ bear it notJ
@et not the roal bed of 'enmark be
B couch for luxur and damned incest&
-ut$ ho"soe#er thou pursu!st this act$
)aint not th mind$ nor let th soul contri#e
Bgainst th mother aughtA lea#e her to hea#en$
Bnd to those thorns that in her bosom lodge$
)o prick and sting her& *are thee "ell at once%
)he glo""orm sho"s the matin to be near$
Bnd !gins to pale his uneffectual fireA
Bdieu$ adieu% Hamlet$ remember me&
2Exit&3
Ham&
= all ou host of hea#en% = earth% "hat elseR
Bnd shall 1 couple hellR =$ fie%DDHold$ m heartJ
Bnd ou$ m sine"s$ gro" not instant old$
-ut bear me stiffl up&DD,emember thee%
B$ thou poor ghost$ "hile memor holds a seat
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
1n this distracted globe& ,emember thee%
Pea$ from the table of m memor
1!ll "ipe a"a all tri#ial fond records$
Bll sa"s of books$ all forms$ all pressures past$
)hat outh and obser#ation copied thereJ
Bnd th commandment all alone shall li#e
Within the book and #olume of m brain$
>nmix!d "ith baser matterA es$ b hea#en%DD
= most pernicious "oman%
= #illain$ #illain$ smiling$ damned #illain%
? tables$DDmeet it is 1 set it do"n$
)hat one ma smile$ and smile$ and be a #illainJ
Bt least$ 1 am sure$ it ma be so in 'enmarkA
2Writing&3
So$ uncle$ there ou are& 4o" to m "ordJ
1t is !Bdieu$ adieu% remember meA!
1 ha#e s"orn!t&
Hor&
2Within&3 ? lord$ m lord$DD
?ar&
2Within&3 @ord Hamlet$DD
Hor&
2Within&3 Hea#en secure him%
Ham&
So be it%
?ar&
2Within&3 1llo$ ho$ ho$ m lord%
Ham&
Hillo$ ho$ ho$ bo% Come$ bird$ come&
2Enter Horatio and ?arcellus&3
?ar&
Ho" is!t$ m noble lordR
Hor&
What ne"s$ m lordR
Ham&
=$ "onderful%
Hor&
Good m lord$ tell it&
Ham&
4oJ ou!ll re#eal it&
Hor&
4ot 1$ m lord$ b hea#en&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord&
Ham&
Ho" sa ou thenJ "ould heart of man once think itRDD
-ut ou!ll be secretR
Hor& and ?ar&
B$ b hea#en$ m lord&
Ham&
)here!s ne!er a #illain d"elling in all 'enmark
-ut he!s an arrant kna#e&
Hor&
)here needs no ghost$ m lord$ come from the gra#e
)o tell us this&
Ham&
Wh$ rightJ ou are i! the rightJ
Bnd so$ "ithout more circumstance at all$
1 hold it fit that "e shake hands and partA
Pou$ as our business and desires shall point ou$DD
*or e#er man hath business and desire$
Such as it isJDDand for m o"n poor part$
@ook ou$ 1!ll go pra&
Hor&
)hese are but "ild and "hirling "ords$ m lord&
Ham&
1!m sorr the offend ou$ heartilJ
Pes$ faith$ heartil&
Hor&
)here!s no offence$ m lord&
Ham&
Pes$ b Saint Patrick$ but there is$ Horatio$
Bnd much offence too& )ouching this #ision here$DD
1t is an honest ghost$ that let me tell ouA
*or our desire to kno" "hat is bet"een us$
=!ermaster!t as ou ma& Bnd no"$ good friends$
Bs ou are friends$ scholars$ and soldiers$
Gi#e me one poor reTuest&
Hor&
What is!t$ m lordR "e "ill&
Ham&
4e#er make kno"n "hat ou ha#e seen toDnight&
Hor& and ?ar&
? lord$ "e "ill not&
Ham&
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
4a$ but s"ear!t&
Hor&
1n faith$
? lord$ not 1&
?ar&
4or 1$ m lord$ in faith&
Ham&
>pon m s"ord&
?ar&
We ha#e s"orn$ m lord$ alread&
Ham&
1ndeed$ upon m s"ord$ indeed&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Ha$ ha bo% sa!st thou soR art thou there$ truepennRDD
Come on%DDou hear this fello" in the cellarage$DD
Consent to s"ear&
Hor&
Propose the oath$ m lord&
Ham&
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e seen$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Hic et ubiTueR then "e!ll shift our ground&DD
Come hither$ gentlemen$
Bnd la our hands again upon m s"ordA
4e#er to speak of this that ou ha#e heard$
S"ear b m s"ord&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
Well said$ old mole% canst "ork i! the earth so fastR
B "orth pioner%DD=nce more remo#e$ good friends&
Hor&
= da and night$ but this is "ondrous strange%
Ham&
Bnd therefore as a stranger gi#e it "elcome&
)here are more things in hea#en and earth$ Horatio$
)han are dreamt of in our philosoph&
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
-ut comeJDD
Here$ as before$ ne#er$ so help ou merc$
Ho" strange or odd soe!er 1 bear mself$DD
Bs 1$ perchance$ hereafter shall think meet
)o put an antic disposition on$DD
)hat ou$ at such times seeing me$ ne#er shall$
With arms encumber!d thus$ or this headDshake$
=r b pronouncing of some doubtful phrase$
Bs !Well$ "ell$ "e kno"!J or !We could$ an if "e "ould!JDD
=r !1f "e list to speak!J or !)here be$ an if the might!JDD
=r such ambiguous gi#ing out$ to note
)hat ou kno" aught of meADDthis is not to do$
So grace and merc at our most need help ou$
S"ear&
Ghost&
2-eneath&3 S"ear&
Ham&
,est$ rest$ perturbed spirit%DDSo$ gentlemen$
With all m lo#e 1 do commend me to ouA
Bnd "hat so poor a man as Hamlet is
?a do$ to express his lo#e and friending to ou$
God "illing$ shall not lack& @et us go in togetherJ
Bnd still our fingers on our lips$ 1 pra&
)he time is out of jointADD= cursed spite$
)hat e#er 1 "as born to set it right%DD
4a$ come$ let!s go together&
2Exeunt&3
Bct 11&
Scene 1& B room in Polonius!s house&
2Enter Polonius and ,enaldo&3
Pol&
Gi#e him this mone and these notes$ ,enaldo&
,e&
1 "ill$ m lord&
Pol&
Pou shall do mar#ellous "isel$ good ,enaldo$
-efore Pou #isit him$ to make inTuir
=f his beha#iour&
,e&
? lord$ 1 did intend it&
Pol&
?arr$ "ell saidJ #er "ell said& @ook ou$ sir$
EnTuire me first "hat 'anskers are in ParisJ
Bnd ho"$ and "ho$ "hat means$ and "here the keep$
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$ 1 could tell ou$DD
-ut let it be&DDHoratio$ 1 am deadJ
)hou li#!stJ report me and m cause aright
)o the unsatisfied&
Hor&
4e#er belie#e itA
1 am more an antiTue ,oman than a 'ane&DD
Here!s et some liTuor left&
Ham&
Bs thou!rt a man$
Gi#e me the cupJ let goJ b hea#en$ 1!ll ha#e!t&DD
= good Horatio$ "hat a "ounded name$
)hings standing thus unkno"n$ shall li#e behind me%
1f thou didst e#er hold me in th heart$
Bbsent thee from felicit a"hile$
Bnd in this harsh "orld dra" th breath in pain$
)o tell m stor&DD
2?arch afar off$ and shot "ithin&3
What "arlike noise is thisR
=sr&
Poung *ortinbras$ "ith conTuest come from Poland$
)o the ambassadors of England gi#es
)his "arlike #olle&
Ham&
=$ 1 die$ HoratioJ
)he potent poison Tuite o!erDcro"s m spiritA
1 cannot li#e to hear the ne"s from EnglandJ
-ut 1 do prophes the election lights
=n *ortinbrasA he has m ding #oiceJ
So tell him$ "ith the occurrents$ more and less$
Which ha#e solicited&DDthe rest is silence&
2'ies&3
Hor&
4o" cracks a noble heart&DDGood night$ s"eet prince$
Bnd flights of angels sing thee to th rest%
Wh does the drum come hitherR
2?arch "ithin&3
2Enter *ortinbras$ the English Bmbassadors$ and others&3
*ort&
Where is this sightR
Hor&
What is it ou "ill seeR
1f aught of "oe or "onder$ cease our search&
*ort&
)his Tuarr cries on ha#oc&DD= proud death$
What feast is to"ard in thine eternal cell$
)hat thou so man princes at a shot
So bloodil hast struckR
. Bmbassador&
)he sight is dismalJ
Bnd our affairs from England come too lateA
)he ears are senseless that should gi#e us hearing$
)o tell him his commandment is fulfill!d
)hat ,osencrant< and Guildenstern are deadA
Where should "e ha#e our thanksR
Hor&
4ot from his mouth$
Had it the abilit of life to thank ouA
He ne#er ga#e commandment for their death&
-ut since$ so jump upon this blood Tuestion$
Pou from the Polack "ars$ and ou from England$
Bre here arri#!d$ gi#e order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the #ie"J
Bnd let me speak to the et unkno"ing "orld
Ho" these things came aboutA so shall ou hear
=f carnal$ blood and unnatural actsJ
=f accidental judgments$ casual slaughtersJ
=f deaths put on b cunning and forc!d causeJ
Bnd$ in this upshot$ purposes mistook
*all!n on the in#entors! headsA all this can 1
)rul deli#er&
*ort&
@et us haste to hear it$
Bnd call the noblest to the audience&
*or me$ "ith sorro" 1 embrace m fortuneA
1 ha#e some rights of memor in this kingdom$
Which no"$ to claim m #antage doth in#ite me&
Hor&
=f that 1 shall ha#e also cause to speak$
Bnd from his mouth "hose #oice "ill dra" on moreA
-ut let this same be presentl perform!d$
E#en "hile men!s minds are "ildA lest more mischance
=n plots and errors happen&
*ort&
@et four captains
-ear Hamlet like a soldier to the stageJ
*or he "as likel$ had he been put on$
)o ha#e pro#!d most roallA and$ for his passage$
)he soldiers! music and the rites of "ar
Speak loudl for him&DD
)ake up the bodies&DDSuch a sight as this
-ecomes the field$ but here sho"s much amiss&
Go$ bid the soldiers shoot&
2B dead march&3
2Exeunt$ bearing off the dead bodiesJ after the "hich a peal of
ordnance is shot off&3
)he End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Hamlet b Shakespeare
PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare!s Complete Works
What compan$ at "hat expenseJ and finding$
- this encompassment and drift of Tuestion$
)hat the do kno" m son$ come ou more nearer
)han our particular demands "ill touch itA
)ake ou$ as !t"ere$ some distant kno"ledge of himJ
Bs thus$ !1 kno" his father and his friends$
Bnd in part hiJmJDDdo ou mark this$ ,enaldoR
,e&
B$ #er "ell$ m lord&
Pol&
!Bnd in part himJDDbut$! ou ma sa$ !not "ellA
-ut if!t be he 1 mean$ he!s #er "ildJ
Bddicted so and soJ! and there put on him
What forgeries ou pleaseJ marr$ none so rank
Bs ma dishonour himJ take heed of thatJ
-ut$ sir$ such "anton$ "ild$ and usual slips
Bs are companions noted and most kno"n
)o outh and libert&
,e&
Bs gaming$ m lord&
Pol&
B$ or drinking$ fencing$ s"earing$ Tuarrelling$
'rabbingADDou ma go so far&
,e&
? lord$ that "ould dishonour him&
Pol&
*aith$ noJ as ou ma season it in the charge&
Pou must not put another scandal on him$
)hat he is open to incontinencJ
)hat!s not m meaningA but breathe his faults so Tuaintl
)hat the ma seem the taints of libertJ
)he flash and outbreak of a fier mindJ
B sa#ageness in unreclaimed blood$
=f general assault&
,e&
-ut$ m good lord$DD
Pol&
Wherefore should ou do thisR
,e&
B$ m lord$
1 "ould kno" that&
Pol&
?arr$ sir$ here!s m driftJ
Bnd 1 belie#e it is a fetch of "arrantA
Pou laing these slight sullies on m son
Bs !t"ere a thing a little soil!d i! the "orking$
?ark ou$
Pour part in con#erse$ him ou "ould sound$
Ha#ing e#er seen in the prenominate crimes
)he outh ou breathe of guilt$ be assur!d
He closes "ith ou in this conseTuenceJ
!Good sir$! or soJ or !friend$! or !gentleman!DD
Bccording to the phrase or the addition
=f man and countr&
,e&
+er good$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd then$ sir$ does he this$DDhe doesDDWhat "as 1 about to saRDD
- the mass$ 1 "as about to sa somethingADDWhere did 1 lea#eR
,e&
Bt !closes in the conseTuence$! at !friend or so$! and
gentleman&!
Pol&
BtDDcloses in the conseTuence!DDa$ marr%
He closes "ith ou thusADD!1 kno" the gentlemanJ
1 sa" him esterda$ or t!other da$
=r then$ or thenJ "ith such$ or suchJ and$ as ou sa$
)here "as he gamingJ there o!ertook in!s rouseJ
)here falling out at tennis!A or perchance$
!1 sa" him enter such a house of sale$!DD
+idelicet$ a brothel$DDor so forth&DD
See ou no"J
Pour bait of falsehood takes this carp of truthA
Bnd thus do "e of "isdom and of reach$
With "indlaces$ and "ith assas of bias$
- indirections find directions outA
So$ b m former lecture and ad#ice$
Shall ou m son& Pou ha#e me$ ha#e ou notR
,e&
? lord$ 1 ha#e&
Pol&
God b! "i! ou$ fare ou "ell&
,e&
Good m lord%
Pol&
=bser#e his inclination in ourself&
,e&
1 shall$ m lord&
Pol&
Bnd let him pl his music&
,e&
Well$ m lord&
Pol&
*are"ell%
2Exit ,enaldo&3
2Enter =phelia&3
Ho" no"$ =phelia% "hat!s the matterR
=ph&
Blas$ m lord$ 1 ha#e been so affrighted%
Pol&
With "hat$ i! the name of GodR
=ph&
? lord$ as 1 "as se"ing in m chamber$
@ord Hamlet$DD"ith his doublet all unbrac!dJ
4o hat upon his headJ his stockings foul!d$
>ngart!red$ and do"nDg#ed to his ankleJ
Pale as his shirtJ his knees knocking each otherJ
Bnd "ith a look so piteous in purport
Bs if he had been loosed out of hell
)o speak of horrors$DDhe comes before me&
Pol&
?ad for th lo#eR
=ph&
? lord$ 1 do not kno"J
-ut trul 1 do fear it&
Pol&
What said heR
=ph&
He took me b the "rist$ and held me hardJ
)hen goes he to the length of all his armJ
Bnd "ith his other hand thus o!er his bro"$
He falls to such perusal of m face
Bs he "ould dra" it& @ong sta!d he soJ
Bt last$DDa little shaking of mine arm$
Bnd thrice his head thus "a#ing up and do"n$DD
He rais!d a sigh so piteous and profound
Bs it did seem to shatter all his bulk
Bnd end his beingA that done$ he lets me goA
Bnd$ "ith his head o#er his shoulder turn!d
He seem!d to find his "a "ithout his eesJ
*or out o! doors he "ent "ithout their help$
Bnd to the last bended their light on me&
Pol&
Come$ go "ith meA 1 "ill go seek the king&
)his is the #er ecstas of lo#eJ
Whose #iolent propert fordoes itself$
Bnd leads the "ill to desperate undertakings$
Bs oft as an passion under hea#en
)hat does afflict our natures& 1 am sorr$DD
What$ ha#e ou gi#en him an hard "ords of lateR
=ph&
4o$ m good lordJ but$ as ou did command$
1 did repel his letters and denied
His access to me&
Pol&
)hat hath made him mad&
1 am sorr that "ith better heed and judgment
1 had not Tuoted himA 1 fear!d he did but trifle$
Bnd meant to "reck theeJ but beshre" m jealous%
1t seems it as proper to our age
)o cast beond oursel#es in our opinions
Bs it is common for the ounger sort
)o lack discretion& Come$ go "e to the kingA
)his must be kno"nJ "hich$ being kept close$ might mo#e
?ore grief to hide than hate to utter lo#e&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and Bttendants&3
Ving&
Welcome$ dear ,osencrant< and Guildenstern%
?oreo#er that "e much did long to see ou$
)he need "e ha#e to use ou did pro#oke
=ur hast sending& Something ha#e ou heard
=f Hamlet!s transformationJ so 1 call it$
Since nor the exterior nor the in"ard man
,esembles that it "as& What it should be$
?ore than his father!s death$ that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself$
1 cannot dream ofA 1 entreat ou both
)hat$ being of so oung das brought up "ith him$
Bnd since so neighbour!d to his outh and humour$
)hat ou #ouchsafe our rest here in our court
Some little timeA so b our companies
)o dra" him on to pleasures$ and to gather$
So much as from occasion ou ma glean$
Whether aught$ to us unkno"n$ afflicts him thus$
)hat$ open!d$ lies "ithin our remed&
Uueen&
Good gentlemen$ he hath much talk!d of ou$
Bnd sure 1 am t"o men there are not li#ing
)o "hom he more adheres& 1f it "ill please ou
)o sho" us so much gentr and goodD"ill
Bs to expend our time "ith us a"hile$
*or the suppl and profit of our hope$
Pour #isitation shall recei#e such thanks
Bs fits a king!s remembrance&
,os&
-oth our majesties
?ight$ b the so#ereign po"er ou ha#e of us$
Put our dread pleasures more into command
)han to entreat&
Guil&
We both obe$
Bnd here gi#e up oursel#es$ in the full bent$
)o la our ser#ice freel at our feet$
)o be commanded&
Ving&
)hanks$ ,osencrant< and gentle Guildenstern&
Uueen&
)hanks$ Guildenstern and gentle ,osencrant<A
Bnd 1 beseech ou instantl to #isit
? tooDmuchDchanged son&DDGo$ some of ou$
Bnd bring these gentlemen "here Hamlet is&
Guil&
Hea#ens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him%
Uueen&
B$ amen%
2Exeunt ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and some Bttendants3&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
)h! ambassadors from 4or"a$ m good lord$
Bre jofull return!d&
Ving&
)hou still hast been the father of good ne"s&
Pol&
Ha#e 1$ m lordR Bssure ou$ m good liege$
1 hold m dut$ as 1 hold m soul$
-oth to m God and to m gracious kingA
Bnd 1 do think$DDor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of polic so sure
Bs it hath us!d to do$DDthat 1 ha#e found
)he #er cause of Hamlet!s lunac&
Ving&
=$ speak of thatJ that do 1 long to hear&
Pol&
Gi#e first admittance to the ambassadorsJ
? ne"s shall be the fruit to that great feast&
Ving&
)hself do grace to them$ and bring them in&
2Exit Polonius&3
He tells me$ m s"eet Tueen$ he hath found
)he head and source of all our son!s distemper&
Uueen&
1 doubt it is no other but the main$DD
His father!s death and our o!erhast marriage&
Ving&
Well$ "e shall sift him&
2Enter Polonius$ "ith +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Welcome$ m good friends%
Sa$ +oltimand$ "hat from our brother 4or"aR
+olt&
?ost fair return of greetings and desires&
>pon our first$ he sent out to suppress
His nephe"!s le#iesJ "hich to him appear!d
)o be a preparation !gainst the PolackJ
-ut$ better look!d into$ he trul found
1t "as against our highnessJ "hereat grie#!d$DD
)hat so his sickness$ age$ and impotence
Was falsel borne in hand$DDsends out arrests
=n *ortinbrasJ "hich he$ in brief$ obesJ
,ecei#es rebuke from 4or"aJ and$ in fine$
?akes #o" before his uncle ne#er more
)o gi#e th! assa of arms against our majest&
Whereon old 4or"a$ o#ercome "ith jo$
Gi#es him three thousand cro"ns in annual feeJ
Bnd his commission to emplo those soldiers$
So le#ied as before$ against the PolackA
With an entreat$ herein further sho"n$
2Gi#es a paper&3
)hat it might please ou to gi#e Tuiet pass
)hrough our dominions for this enterprise$
=n such regards of safet and allo"ance
Bs therein are set do"n&
Ving&
1t likes us "ellJ
Bnd at our more consider!d time "e!ll read$
Bns"er$ and think upon this business&
?eantime "e thank ou for our "ellDtook labourA
Go to our restJ at night "e!ll feast togetherA
?ost "elcome home%
2Exeunt +oltimand and Cornelius&3
Pol&
)his business is "ell ended&DD
? liege$ and madam$DDto expostulate
What majest should be$ "hat dut is$
Wh da is da$ night is night$ and time is time&
Were nothing but to "aste night$ da$ and time&
)herefore$ since bre#it is the soul of "it$
Bnd tediousness the limbs and out"ard flourishes$
1 "ill be briefADDour noble son is madA
?ad call 1 itJ for to define true madness$
What is!t but to be nothing else but madR
-ut let that go&
Uueen&
?ore matter$ "ith less art&
Pol&
?adam$ 1 s"ear 1 use no art at all&
)hat he is mad$ !tis trueA !tis true !tis pitJ
Bnd pit !tis !tis trueA a foolish figureJ
-ut fare"ell it$ for 1 "ill use no art&
?ad let us grant him thenA and no" remains
)hat "e find out the cause of this effectJ
=r rather sa$ the cause of this defect$
*or this effect defecti#e comes b causeA
)hus it remains$ and the remainder thus&
Perpend&
1 ha#e a daughter$DDha#e "hilst she is mine$DD
Who$ in her dut and obedience$ mark$
Hath gi#en me thisA no" gather$ and surmise&
2,eads&3
!)o the celestial$ and m soul!s idol$ the most beautified
=phelia$!DD
)hat!s an ill phrase$ a #ile phraseJ !beautified! is a #ile
phraseA but ou shall hear& )husA
2,eads&3
!1n her excellent "hite bosom$ these$ Xc&!
Uueen&
Came this from Hamlet to herR
Pol&
Good madam$ sta a"hileJ 1 "ill be faithful&
2,eads&3
!'oubt thou the stars are fireJ
'oubt that the sun doth mo#eJ
'oubt truth to be a liarJ
-ut ne#er doubt 1 lo#e&
!= dear =phelia$ 1 am ill at these numbersJ 1 ha#e not art to
reckon m groansA but that 1 lo#e thee best$ = most best$ belie#e
it& Bdieu&
!)hine e#ermore$ most dear lad$ "hilst this machine is to him$
HB?@E)&!
)his$ in obedience$ hath m daughter sho"!d meJ
Bnd more abo#e$ hath his solicitings$
Bs the fell out b time$ b means$ and place$
Bll gi#en to mine ear&
Ving&
-ut ho" hath she
,ecei#!d his lo#eR
Pol&
What do ou think of meR
Ving&
Bs of a man faithful and honourable&
Pol&
1 "ould fain pro#e so& -ut "hat might ou think$
When 1 had seen this hot lo#e on the "ing$DD
Bs 1 percei#!d it$ 1 must tell ou that$
-efore m daughter told me$DD "hat might ou$
=r m dear majest our Tueen here$ think$
1f 1 had pla!d the desk or tableDbook$
=r gi#en m heart a "inking$ mute and dumbJ
=r look!d upon this lo#e "ith idle sightJDD
What might ou thinkR 4o$ 1 "ent round to "ork$
Bnd m oung mistress thus 1 did bespeakA
!@ord Hamlet is a prince$ out of th sphereJ
)his must not beA! and then 1 precepts ga#e her$
)hat she should lock herself from his resort$
Bdmit no messengers$ recei#e no tokens&
Which done$ she took the fruits of m ad#iceJ
Bnd he$ repulsed$DDa short tale to make$DD
*ell into a sadnessJ then into a fastJ
)hence to a "atchJ thence into a "eaknessJ
)hence to a lightnessJ and$ b this declension$
1nto the madness "herein no" he ra#es$
Bnd all "e "ail for&
Ving&
'o ou think !tis thisR
Uueen&
1t ma be$ #er likel&
Pol&
Hath there been such a time$DD1!d fain kno" thatDD
)hat 1 ha#e positi#el said !!)is so$!
When it pro#!d other"iseR
Ving&
4ot that 1 kno"&
Pol&
)ake this from this$ if this be other"iseA
2Points to his head and shoulder&3
1f circumstances lead me$ 1 "ill find
Where truth is hid$ though it "ere hid indeed
Within the centre&
Ving&
Ho" ma "e tr it furtherR
Pol&
Pou kno" sometimes he "alks for hours together
Here in the lobb&
Uueen&
So he does indeed&
Pol&
Bt such a time 1!ll loose m daughter to himA
-e ou and 1 behind an arras thenJ
?ark the encounterA if he lo#e her not$
Bnd he not from his reason fall!n thereon
@et me be no assistant for a state$
-ut keep a farm and carters&
Ving&
We "ill tr it&
Uueen&
-ut look "here sadl the poor "retch comes reading&
Pol&
B"a$ 1 do beseech ou$ both a"a
1!ll board him presentlADD=$ gi#e me lea#e&
2Exeunt Ving$ Uueen$ and Bttendants&3
2Enter Hamlet$ reading&3
Ho" does m good @ord HamletR
Ham&
Well$ GodDaDmerc&
Pol&
'o ou kno" me$ m lordR
Ham&
Excellent "ellJ ou!re a fishmonger&
Pol&
4ot 1$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen 1 "ould ou "ere so honest a man&
Pol&
Honest$ m lord%
Ham&
B$ sirJ to be honest$ as this "orld goes$ is to be one man
picked out of ten thousand&
Pol&
)hat!s #er true$ m lord&
Ham&
*or if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog$ being a godDkissing
carrion$DDHa#e ou a daughterR
Pol&
1 ha#e$ m lord&
Ham&
@et her not "alk i! the sunA conception is a blessing$ but not
as our daughter ma concei#eADDfriend$ look to!t&
Pol&
Ho" sa ou b thatRDD2Bside&3 Still harping on m daughterADDet
he kne" me not at firstJ he said 1 "as a fishmongerA he is far
gone$ far goneA and trul in m outh 1 suffered much extremit
for lo#eJ #er near this& 1!ll speak to him again&DDWhat do ou
read$ m lordR
Ham&
Words$ "ords$ "ords&
Pol&
What is the matter$ m lordR
Ham&
-et"een "hoR
Pol&
1 mean$ the matter that ou read$ m lord&
Ham&
Slanders$ sirA for the satirical sla#e sas here that old men
ha#e gre beardsJ that their faces are "rinkledJ their ees
purging thick amber and plumDtree gumJ and that the ha#e a
plentiful lack of "it$ together "ith most "eak hamsA all "hich$
sir$ though 1 most po"erfull and potentl belie#e$ et 1 hold it
not honest to ha#e it thus set do"nJ for ou ourself$ sir$
should be old as 1 am$ if$ like a crab$ ou could go back"ard&
Pol&
2Bside&3 )hough this be madness$ et there is a method in!t&DD
Will ou "alk out of the air$ m lordR
Ham&
1nto m gra#eR
Pol&
1ndeed$ that is out o! the air& 2Bside&3 Ho" pregnant sometimes
his replies are% a happiness that often madness hits on$ "hich
reason and sanit could not so prosperousl be deli#ered of& 1
"ill lea#e him and suddenl contri#e the means of meeting bet"een
him and m daughter&DD? honourable lord$ 1 "ill most humbl take
m lea#e of ou&
Ham&
Pou cannot$ sir$ take from me anthing that 1 "ill more
"illingl part "ithal$DDexcept m life$ except m life$ except m
life&
Pol&
*are ou "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
)hese tedious old fools%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Pol&
Pou go to seek the @ord HamletJ there he is&
,os&
2)o Polonius&3 God sa#e ou$ sir%
2Exit Polonius&3
Guil&
? honoured lord%
,os&
? most dear lord%
Ham&
? excellent good friends% Ho" dost thou$ GuildensternR Bh$
,osencrant<% Good lads$ ho" do e bothR
,os&
Bs the indifferent children of the earth&
Guil&
Happ in that "e are not o#erDhappJ
=n fortune!s cap "e are not the #er button&
Ham&
4or the soles of her shoeR
,os&
4either$ m lord&
Ham&
)hen ou li#e about her "aist$ or in the middle of her
fa#oursR
Guil&
*aith$ her pri#ates "e&
Ham&
1n the secret parts of fortuneR =$ most trueJ she is a
strumpet& What!s the ne"sR
,os&
4one$ m lord$ but that the "orld!s gro"n honest&
Ham&
)hen is doomsda nearJ but our ne"s is not true& @et me
Tuestion more in particularA "hat ha#e ou$ m good friends$
deser#ed at the hands of fortune$ that she sends ou to prison
hitherR
Guil&
Prison$ m lord%
Ham&
'enmark!s a prison&
,os&
)hen is the "orld one&
Ham&
B goodl oneJ in "hich there are man confines$ "ards$ and
dungeons$ 'enmark being one o! the "orst&
,os&
We think not so$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ then !tis none to ouJ for there is nothing either good
or bad but thinking makes it soA to me it is a prison&
,os&
Wh$ then$ our ambition makes it oneJ !tis too narro" for our
mind&
Ham&
= God$ 1 could be bounded in a nutshell$ and count mself a
king of infinite space$ "ere it not that 1 ha#e bad dreams&
Guil&
Which dreams$ indeed$ are ambitionJ for the #er substance of
the ambitious is merel the shado" of a dream&
Ham&
B dream itself is but a shado"&
,os&
)rul$ and 1 hold ambition of so air and light a Tualit that
it is but a shado"!s shado"&
Ham&
)hen are our beggars bodies$ and our monarchs and outstretch!d
heroes the beggars! shado"s& Shall "e to the courtR for$ b m
fa$ 1 cannot reason&
,os& and Guild&
We!ll "ait upon ou&
Ham&
4o such matterA 1 "ill not sort ou "ith the rest of m
ser#antsJ for$ to speak to ou like an honest man$ 1 am most
dreadfull attended& -ut$ in the beaten "a of friendship$ "hat
make ou at ElsinoreR
,os&
)o #isit ou$ m lordJ no other occasion&
Ham&
-eggar that 1 am$ 1 am e#en poor in thanksJ but 1 thank ouA
and sure$ dear friends$ m thanks are too dear a halfpenn& Were
ou not sent forR 1s it our o"n incliningR 1s it a free
#isitationR Come$ deal justl "ith meA come$ comeJ na$ speak&
Guil&
What should "e sa$ m lordR
Ham&
Wh$ anthingDDbut to the purpose& Pou "ere sent forJ and
there is a kind of confession in our looks$ "hich our modesties
ha#e not craft enough to colourA 1 kno" the good king and Tueen
ha#e sent for ou&
,os&
)o "hat end$ m lordR
Ham&
)hat ou must teach me& -ut let me conjure ou$ b the rights
of our fello"ship$ b the consonanc of our outh$ b the
obligation of our e#erDpreser#ed lo#e$ and b "hat more dear a
better proposer could charge ou "ithal$ be e#en and direct "ith
me$ "hether ou "ere sent for or no&
,os&
2)o Guildenstern&3 What sa ouR
Ham&
2Bside&3 4a$ then$ 1 ha#e an ee of ou&DD1f ou lo#e me$ hold
not off&
Guil&
? lord$ "e "ere sent for&
Ham&
1 "ill tell ou "hJ so shall m anticipation pre#ent our
disco#er$ and our secrec to the king and Tueen moult no
feather& 1 ha#e of late$DDbut "herefore 1 kno" not$DDlost all m
mirth$ forgone all custom of exercisesJ and indeed$ it goes so
hea#il "ith m disposition that this goodl frame$ the earth$
seems to me a sterile promontorJ this most excellent canop$ the
air$ look ou$ this bra#e o!erhanging firmament$ this majestical
roof fretted "ith golden fire$DD"h$ it appears no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of #apours& What a
piece of "ork is man% Ho" noble in reason% ho" infinite in
faculties% in form and mo#ing$ ho" express and admirable% in
action ho" like an angel% in apprehension$ ho" like a god% the
beaut of the "orld% the paragon of animals% Bnd et$ to me$ "hat
is this Tuintessence of dustR ?an delights not meJ no$ nor "oman
neither$ though b our smiling ou seem to sa so&
,os&
? lord$ there "as no such stuff in m thoughts&
Ham&
Wh did ou laugh then$ "hen 1 said !?an delights not me!R
,os&
)o think$ m lord$ if ou delight not in man$ "hat lenten
entertainment the plaers shall recei#e from ouA "e coted them
on the "aJ and hither are the coming to offer ou ser#ice&
Ham&
He that plas the king shall be "elcome$DDhis majest shall
ha#e tribute of meJ the ad#enturous knight shall use his foil and
targetJ the lo#er shall not sigh gratisJ the humorous man shall
end his part in peaceJ the clo"n shall make those laugh "hose
lungs are tickle o! the sereJ and the lad shall sa her mind
freel$ or the blank #erse shall halt for!t& What plaers are
theR
,os&
E#en those ou "ere "ont to take such delight in$DDthe
tragedians of the cit&
Ham&
Ho" chances it the tra#elR their residence$ both in
reputation and profit$ "as better both "as&
,os&
1 think their inhibition comes b the means of the late
inno#ation&
Ham&
'o the hold the same estimation the did "hen 1 "as in the
citR Bre the so follo"edR
,os&
4o$ indeed$ are the not&
Ham&
Ho" comes itR do the gro" rustR
,os&
4a$ their endea#our keeps in the "onted paceA but there is$
sir$ an aer of children$ little eases$ that cr out on the top
of Tuestion$ and are most trannicall clapped for!tA these are
no" the fashionJ and so berattle the common stages$DDso the call
them$DDthat man "earing rapiers are afraid of gooseDTuills and
dare scarce come thither&
Ham&
What$ are the childrenR "ho maintains !emR Ho" are the
escotedR Will the pursue the Tualit no longer than the can
singR "ill the not sa after"ards$ if the should gro"
themsel#es to common plaers$DDas it is most like$ if their means
are no better$DDtheir "riters do them "rong to make them exclaim
against their o"n successionR
,os&
*aith$ there has been much to do on both sidesJ and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to contro#ersA there "as$ for
a"hile$ no mone bid for argument unless the poet and the plaer
"ent to cuffs in the Tuestion&
Ham&
1s!t possibleR
Guil&
=$ there has been much thro"ing about of brains&
Ham&
'o the bos carr it a"aR
,os&
B$ that the do$ m lordJ Hercules and his load too&
Ham&
1t is not #er strangeJ for m uncle is king of 'enmark$ and
those that "ould make mouths at him "hile m father li#ed$ gi#e
t"ent$ fort$ fift$ a hundred ducats aDpiece for his picture in
little& !Sblood$ there is something in this more than natural$ if
philosoph could find it out&
2*lourish of trumpets "ithin&3
Guil&
)here are the plaers&
Ham&
Gentlemen$ ou are "elcome to Elsinore& Pour hands$ comeA the
appurtenance of "elcome is fashion and ceremonA let me compl
"ith ou in this garbJ lest m extent to the plaers$ "hich 1
tell ou must sho" fairl out"ard$ should more appear like
entertainment than ours& Pou are "elcomeA but m uncleDfather
and auntDmother are decei#ed&
Guil&
1n "hat$ m dear lordR
Ham&
1 am but mad northDnorthD"estA "hen the "ind is southerl 1
kno" a ha"k from a handsa"&
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
Well be "ith ou$ gentlemen%
Ham&
Hark ou$ GuildensternJDDand ou tooJDDat each ear a hearerA that
great bab ou see there is not et out of his s"addling clouts&
,os&
Happil he!s the second time come to themJ for the sa an old
man is t"ice a child&
Ham&
1 "ill prophes he comes to tell me of the plaersJ mark it&DDPou
sa right$ sirA o! ?onda morningJ !t"as so indeed&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou&
Ham&
? lord$ 1 ha#e ne"s to tell ou& When ,oscius "as an actor in
,ome$DD
Pol&
)he actors are come hither$ m lord&
Ham&
-u<<$ bu<<%
Pol&
>pon m honour$DD
Ham&
)hen came each actor on his ass$DD
Pol&
)he best actors in the "orld$ either for traged$ comed$
histor$ pastoral$ pastoralDcomical$ historicalDpastoral$
tragicalDhistorical$ tragicalDcomicalDhistoricalDpastoral$ scene
indi#idable$ or poem unlimitedA Seneca cannot be too hea# nor
Plautus too light& *or the la" of "rit and the libert$ these are
the onl men&
Ham&
= Sephthah$ judge of 1srael$ "hat a treasure hadst thou%
Pol&
What treasure had he$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!=ne fair daughter$ and no more$
)he "hich he lo#ed passing "ell&!
Pol&
2Bside&3 Still on m daughter&
Ham&
Bm 1 not i! the right$ old SephthahR
Pol&
1f ou call me Sephthah$ m lord$ 1 ha#e a daughter that 1
lo#e passing "ell&
Ham&
4a$ that follo"s not&
Pol&
What follo"s$ then$ m lordR
Ham&
WhDD
!Bs b lot$ God "ot$!
and then$ ou kno"$
!1t came to pass$ as most like it "asDD!
)he first ro" of the pious chanson "ill sho" ou moreJ for look
"here m abridgment comes&
2Enter four or fi#e Plaers&3
Pou are "elcome$ mastersJ "elcome$ allADD1 am glad to see thee
"ell&DD"elcome$ good friends&DD=$ m old friend% )h face is
#alanc!d since 1 sa" thee lastJ comest thou to beard me in
'enmarkRDDWhat$ m oung lad and mistress% -!r lad$ our
ladship is nearer to hea#en than "hen 1 sa" ou last$ b the
altitude of a chopine& Pra God$ our #oice$ like a piece of
uncurrent gold$ be not cracked "ithin the ring&DD?asters$ ou are
all "elcome& We!ll e!en to!t like *rench falconers$ fl at
anthing "e seeA "e!ll ha#e a speech straightA come$ gi#e us a
taste of our TualitA come$ a passionate speech&
1 Pla&
What speech$ m lordR
Ham&
1 heard thee speak me a speech once$DDbut it "as ne#er actedJ
or if it "as$ not abo#e onceJ for the pla$ 1 remember$ pleased
not the million$ !t"as ca#iare to the generalJ but it "as$DDas 1
recei#ed it$ and others$ "hose judgments in such matters cried in
the top of mine$DDan excellent pla$ "ell digested in the scenes$
set do"n "ith as much modest as cunning& 1 remember$ one said
there "ere no sallets in the lines to make the matter sa#our$
nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of
affectationJ but called it an honest method$ as "holesome as
s"eet$ and b #er much more handsome than fine& =ne speech in it
1 chiefl lo#edA !t"as BEneas! tale to 'ido$ and thereabout of it
especiall "here he speaks of Priam!s slaughterA if it li#e in
our memor$ begin at this lineJDDlet me see$ let me seeADD

)he rugged Prrhus$ like th! Hrcanian beast$DD
it is not soADD it begins "ith PrrhusADD
!)he rugged Prrhus$DDhe "hose sable arms$
-lack as his purpose$did the night resemble
When he la couched in the ominous horse$DD
Hath no" this dread and black complexion smear!d
With heraldr more dismalJ head to foot
4o" is be total gulesJ horridl trick!d
With blood of fathers$ mothers$ daughters$ sons$
-ak!d and impasted "ith the parching streets$
)hat lend a trannous and a damned light
)o their #ile murdersA roasted in "rath and fire$
Bnd thus o!ersi<ed "ith coagulate gore$
With ees like carbuncles$ the hellish Prrhus
=ld grandsire Priam seeks&!
So$ proceed ou&
Pol&
!*ore God$ m lord$ "ell spoken$ "ith good accent and good
discretion&
1 Pla&
Bnon he finds him$
Striking too short at GreeksA his antiTue s"ord$
,ebellious to his arm$ lies "here it falls$
,epugnant to commandA uneTual match!d$
Prrhus at Priam dri#esJ in rage strikes "ideJ
-ut "ith the "hiff and "ind of his fell s"ord
)he unner#ed father falls& )hen senseless 1lium$
Seeming to feel this blo"$ "ith flaming top
Stoops to his baseJ and "ith a hideous crash
)akes prisoner Prrhus! earA for lo% his s"ord$
Which "as declining on the milk head
=f re#erend Priam$ seem!d i! the air to stickA
So$ as a painted trant$ Prrhus stoodJ
Bnd$ like a neutral to his "ill and matter$
'id nothing&
-ut as "e often see$ against some storm$
B silence in the hea#ens$ the rack stand still$
)he bold "inds speechless$ and the orb belo"
Bs hush as death$ anon the dreadful thunder
'oth rend the regionJ so$ after Prrhus! pause$
B roused #engeance sets him ne" aD"orkJ
Bnd ne#er did the Cclops! hammers fall
=n ?ars!s armour$ forg!d for proof eterne$
With less remorse than Prrhus! bleeding s"ord
4o" falls on Priam&DD
=ut$ out$ thou strumpet$ *ortune% Bll ou gods$
1n general snod$ take a"a her po"erJ
-reak all the spokes and fellies from her "heel$
Bnd bo"l the round na#e do"n the hill of hea#en$
Bs lo" as to the fiends%
Pol&
)his is too long&
Ham&
1t shall to the barber!s$ "ith our beard&DDPr!thee sa on&DD
He!s for a jig or a tale of ba"dr$ or he sleepsADDsa onJ come
to Hecuba&
1 Pla&
-ut "ho$ = "ho$ had seen the mobled Tueen$DD
Ham&
!)he mobled Tueen!R
Pol&
)hat!s good% !?obled Tueen! is good&
1 Pla&
,un barefoot up and do"n$ threatening the flames
With bisson rheumJ a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood$ and for a robe$
Bbout her lank and all o!erteemed loins$
B blanket$ in the alarm of fear caught upJDD
Who this had seen$ "ith tongue in #enom steep!d$
!Gainst *ortune!s state "ould treason ha#e pronounc!dA
-ut if the gods themsel#es did see her then$
When she sa" Prrhus make malicious sport
1n mincing "ith his s"ord her husband!s limbs$
)he instant burst of clamour that she made$DD
>nless things mortal mo#e them not at all$DD
Would ha#e made milch the burning ees of hea#en$
Bnd passion in the gods&
Pol&
@ook$ "hether he has not turn!d his colour$ and has tears in!s
ees&DDPra ou$ no more%
Ham&
!)is "ell& 1!ll ha#e thee speak out the rest of this soon&DD
Good m lord$ "ill ou see the plaers "ell besto"edR 'o ou
hearR @et them be "ell usedJ for the are the abstracts and brief
chronicles of the timeJ after our death ou "ere better ha#e a
bad epitaph than their ill report "hile ou li#e&
Pol&
? lord$ 1 "ill use them according to their desert&
Ham&
=dd!s bodikin$ man$ betterA use e#er man after his
desert$ and "ho should scape "hippingR >se them after our o"n
honour and dignitA the less the deser#e$ the more merit is in
our bount& )ake them in&
Pol&
Come$ sirs&
Ham&
*ollo" him$ friends& "e!ll hear a pla toDmorro"&
2Exeunt Polonius "ith all the Plaers but the *irst&3
'ost thou hear me$ old friendR Can ou pla !)he ?urder of
Gon<ago!R
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
We!ll ha!t toDmorro" night& Pou could$ for a need$ stud a
speech of some do<en or sixteen lines "hich 1 "ould set do"n and
insert in!tR could ou notR
1 Pla&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
+er "ell&DD*ollo" that lordJ and look ou mock him not&
2Exit *irst Plaer&3
DD? good friends 2to ,os& and Guild&3$ 1!ll lea#e ou till
nightA ou are "elcome to Elsinore&
,os&
Good m lord%
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ham&
B$ so$ God b! "i! e%
4o" 1 am alone&
=$ "hat a rogue and peasant sla#e am 1%
1s it not monstrous that this plaer here$
-ut in a fiction$ in a dream of passion$
Could force his soul so to his o"n conceit
)hat from her "orking all his #isage "an!dJ
)ears in his ees$ distraction in!s aspect$
B broken #oice$ and his "hole function suiting
With forms to his conceitR Bnd all for nothing%
*or HecubaR
What!s Hecuba to him$ or he to Hecuba$
)hat he should "eep for herR What "ould he do$
Had he the moti#e and the cue for passion
)hat 1 ha#eR He "ould dro"n the stage "ith tears
Bnd clea#e the general ear "ith horrid speechJ
?ake mad the guilt$ and appal the freeJ
Confound the ignorant$ and ama<e$ indeed$
)he #er faculties of ees and ears&
Pet 1$
B dull and muddDmettled rascal$ peak$
@ike SohnDaDdreams$ unpregnant of m cause$
Bnd can sa nothingJ no$ not for a king
>pon "hose propert and most dear life
B damn!d defeat "as made& Bm 1 a co"ardR
Who calls me #illainR breaks m pate acrossR
Plucks off m beard and blo"s it in m faceR
)"eaks me b the noseR gi#es me the lie i! the throat
Bs deep as to the lungsR "ho does me this$ haR
!S"ounds$ 1 should take itA for it cannot be
-ut 1 am pigeonDli#er!d$ and lack gall
)o make oppression bitterJ or ere this
1 should ha#e fatted all the region kites
With this sla#e!s offalA blood$ ba"d #illain%
,emorseless$ treacherous$ lecherous$ kindless #illain%
=$ #engeance%
Wh$ "hat an ass am 1% )his is most bra#e$
)hat 1$ the son of a dear father murder!d$
Prompted to m re#enge b hea#en and hell$
?ust$ like a "hore$ unpack m heart "ith "ords
Bnd fall aDcursing like a #er drab$
B scullion%
*ie upon!t% foh%DDBbout$ m brain% 1 ha#e heard
)hat guilt creatures$ sitting at a pla$
Ha#e b the #er cunning of the scene
-een struck so to the soul that presentl
)he ha#e proclaim!d their malefactionsJ
*or murder$ though it ha#e no tongue$ "ill speak
With most miraculous organ$ 1!ll ha#e these plaers
Pla something like the murder of m father
-efore mine uncleA 1!ll obser#e his looksJ
1!ll tent him to the TuickA if he but blench$
1 kno" m course& )he spirit that 1 ha#e seen
?a be the de#ilA and the de#il hath po"er
)o assume a pleasing shapeJ ea$ and perhaps
=ut of m "eakness and m melanchol$DD
Bs he is #er potent "ith such spirits$DD
Bbuses me to damn meA 1!ll ha#e grounds
?ore relati#e than this&DDthe pla!s the thing
Wherein 1!ll catch the conscience of the king&
2Exit&3
BC) 111&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$ ,osencrant<$ and
Guildenstern&3
Ving&
Bnd can ou$ b no drift of circumstance$
Get from him "h he puts on this confusion$
Grating so harshl all his das of Tuiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacR
,os&
He does confess he feels himself distracted$
-ut from "hat cause he "ill b no means speak&
Guil&
4or do "e find him for"ard to be sounded$
-ut$ "ith a craft madness$ keeps aloof
When "e "ould bring him on to some confession
=f his true state&
Uueen&
'id he recei#e ou "ellR
,os&
?ost like a gentleman&
Guil&
-ut "ith much forcing of his disposition&
,os&
4iggard of TuestionJ but$ of our demands$
?ost free in his repl&
Uueen&
'id ou assa him
)o an pastimeR
,os&
?adam$ it so fell out that certain plaers
We o!erDraught on the "aA of these "e told him$
Bnd there did seem in him a kind of jo
)o hear of itA the are about the court$
Bnd$ as 1 think$ the ha#e alread order
)his night to pla before him&
Pol&
!)is most trueJ
Bnd he beseech!d me to entreat our majesties
)o hear and see the matter&
Ving&
With all m heartJ and it doth much content me
)o hear him so inclin!d&DD
Good gentlemen$ gi#e him a further edge$
Bnd dri#e his purpose on to these delights&
,os&
We shall$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
S"eet Gertrude$ lea#e us tooJ
*or "e ha#e closel sent for Hamlet hither$
)hat he$ as !t"ere b accident$ ma here
Bffront =pheliaA
Her father and mself$DDla"ful espials$DD
Will so besto" oursel#es that$ seeing$ unseen$
We ma of their encounter frankl judgeJ
Bnd gather b him$ as he is beha#!d$
1f!t be the affliction of his lo#e or no
)hat thus he suffers for&
Uueen&
1 shall obe ouADD
Bnd for our part$ =phelia$ 1 do "ish
)hat our good beauties be the happ cause
=f Hamlet!s "ildnessA so shall 1 hope our #irtues
Will bring him to his "onted "a again$
)o both our honours&
=ph&
?adam$ 1 "ish it ma&
2Exit Uueen&3
Pol&
=phelia$ "alk ou here&DDGracious$ so please ou$
We "ill besto" oursel#es&DD2)o =phelia&3 ,ead on this bookJ
)hat sho" of such an exercise ma colour
Pour loneliness&DDWe are oft to blame in this$DD
!)is too much pro#!d$DDthat "ith de#otion!s #isage
Bnd pious action "e do sugar o!er
)he 'e#il himself&
Ving&
2Bside&3 =$ !tis too true%
Ho" smart a lash that speech doth gi#e m conscience%
)he harlot!s cheek$ beautied "ith plastering art$
1s not more ugl to the thing that helps it
)han is m deed to m most painted "ordA
= hea# burden%
Pol&
1 hear him comingA let!s "ithdra"$ m lord&
2Exeunt Ving and Polonius&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
)o be$ or not to be$DDthat is the TuestionADD
Whether !tis nobler in the mind to suffer
)he slings and arro"s of outrageous fortune
=r to take arms against a sea of troubles$
Bnd b opposing end themRDD)o die$DDto sleep$DD
4o moreJ and b a sleep to sa "e end
)he heartache$ and the thousand natural shocks
)hat flesh is heir to$DD!tis a consummation
'e#outl to be "ish!d& )o die$DDto sleepJDD
)o sleep% perchance to dreamADDa$ there!s the rubJ
*or in that sleep of death "hat dreams ma come$
When "e ha#e shuffled off this mortal coil$
?ust gi#e us pauseA there!s the respect
)hat makes calamit of so long lifeJ
*or "ho "ould bear the "hips and scorns of time$
)he oppressor!s "rong$ the proud man!s contumel$
)he pangs of despis!d lo#e$ the la"!s dela$
)he insolence of office$ and the spurns
)hat patient merit of the un"orth takes$
When he himself might his Tuietus make
With a bare bodkinR "ho "ould these fardels bear$
)o grunt and s"eat under a "ear life$
-ut that the dread of something after death$DD
)he undisco#er!d countr$ from "hose bourn
4o tra#eller returns$DDpu<<les the "ill$
Bnd makes us rather bear those ills "e ha#e
)han fl to others that "e kno" not ofR
)hus conscience does make co"ards of us allJ
Bnd thus the nati#e hue of resolution
1s sicklied o!er "ith the pale cast of thoughtJ
Bnd enterprises of great pith and moment$
With this regard$ their currents turn a"r$
Bnd lose the name of action&DDSoft ou no"%
)he fair =phelia%DD4mph$ in th orisons
-e all m sins remember!d&
=ph&
Good m lord$
Ho" does our honour for this man a daR
Ham&
1 humbl thank ouJ "ell$ "ell$ "ell&
=ph&
? lord$ 1 ha#e remembrances of ours
)hat 1 ha#e longed long to reDdeli#er&
1 pra ou$ no" recei#e them&
Ham&
4o$ not 1J
1 ne#er ga#e ou aught&
=ph&
? honour!d lord$ ou kno" right "ell ou didJ
Bnd "ith them "ords of so s"eet breath compos!d
Bs made the things more richJ their perfume lost$
)ake these againJ for to the noble mind
,ich gifts "ax poor "hen gi#ers pro#e unkind&
)here$ m lord&
Ham&
Ha$ ha% are ou honestR
=ph&
? lordR
Ham&
Bre ou fairR
=ph&
What means our lordshipR
Ham&
)hat if ou be honest and fair$ our honest should admit no
discourse to our beaut&
=ph&
Could beaut$ m lord$ ha#e better commerce than "ith honestR
Ham&
B$ trulJ for the po"er of beaut "ill sooner transform
honest from "hat it is to a ba"d than the force of honest can
translate beaut into his likenessA this "as sometime a paradox$
but no" the time gi#es it proof& 1 did lo#e ou once&
=ph&
1ndeed$ m lord$ ou made me belie#e so&
Ham&
Pou should not ha#e belie#!d meJ for #irtue cannot so
inoculate our old stock but "e shall relish of itA 1 lo#ed ou
not&
=ph&
1 "as the more decei#ed&
Ham&
Get thee to a nunnerA "h "ouldst thou be a breeder of
sinnersR 1 am mself indifferent honestJ but et 1 could accuse
me of such things that it "ere better m mother had not borne meA
1 am #er proud$ re#engeful$ ambitiousJ "ith more offences at m
beck than 1 ha#e thoughts to put them in$ imagination to gi#e
them shape$ or time to act them in& What should such fello"s as 1
do cra"ling bet"een earth and hea#enR We are arrant kna#es$ allJ
belie#e none of us& Go th "as to a nunner& Where!s our
fatherR
=ph&
Bt home$ m lord&
Ham&
@et the doors be shut upon him$ that he ma pla the fool
no"here but in!s o"n house& *are"ell&
=ph&
=$ help him$ ou s"eet hea#ens%
Ham&
1f thou dost marr$ 1!ll gi#e thee this plague for th do"r$DD
be thou as chaste as ice$ as pure as sno"$ thou shalt not escape
calumn& Get thee to a nunner$ goA fare"ell& =r$ if thou "ilt
needs marr$ marr a foolJ for "ise men kno" "ell enough "hat
monsters ou make of them& )o a nunner$ goJ and Tuickl too&
*are"ell&
=ph&
= hea#enl po"ers$ restore him%
Ham&
1 ha#e heard of our paintings too$ "ell enoughJ God hath
gi#en ou one face$ and ou make oursel#es anotherA ou jig$ ou
amble$ and ou lisp$ and nickname God!s creatures$ and make our
"antonness our ignorance& Go to$ 1!ll no more on!tJ it hath made
me mad& 1 sa$ "e "ill ha#e no moe marriagesA those that are
married alread$ all but one$ shall li#eJ the rest shall keep as
the are& )o a nunner$ go&
2Exit&3
=ph&
=$ "hat a noble mind is here o!erthro"n%
)he courtier!s$ scholar!s$ soldier!s$ ee$ tongue$ s"ord$
)he expectanc and rose of the fair state$
)he glass of fashion and the mould of form$
)he obser#!d of all obser#ers$DDTuite$ Tuite do"n%
Bnd 1$ of ladies most deject and "retched
)hat suck!d the hone of his music #o"s$
4o" see that noble and most so#ereign reason$
@ike s"eet bells jangled$ out of tune and harshJ
)hat unmatch!d form and feature of blo"n outh
-lasted "ith ecstasA =$ "oe is me$
)o ha#e seen "hat 1 ha#e seen$ see "hat 1 see%
2,eDenter Ving and Polonius&3
Ving&
@o#e% his affections do not that "a tendJ
4or "hat he spake$ though it lack!d form a little$
Was not like madness& )here!s something in his soul
=!er "hich his melanchol sits on broodJ
Bnd 1 do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some dangerA "hich for to pre#ent$
1 ha#e in Tuick determination
)hus set it do"nADDhe shall "ith speed to England
*or the demand of our neglected tributeA
Hapl the seas$ and countries different$
With #ariable objects$ shall expel
)his somethingDsettled matter in his heartJ
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
*rom fashion of himself& What think ou on!tR
Pol&
1t shall do "ellA but et do 1 belie#e
)he origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected lo#e&DDHo" no"$ =phelia%
Pou need not tell us "hat @ord Hamlet saidJ
We heard it all&DD? lord$ do as ou pleaseJ
-ut if ou hold it fit$ after the pla$
@et his Tueen mother all alone entreat him
)o sho" his griefA let her be round "ith himJ
Bnd 1!ll be plac!d$ so please ou$ in the ear
=f all their conference& 1f she find him not$
)o England send himJ or confine him "here
Pour "isdom best shall think&
Ving&
1t shall be soA
?adness in great ones must not un"atch!d go&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and cartain Plaers&3
Ham&
Speak the speech$ 1 pra ou$ as 1 pronounced it to ou$
trippingl on the tongueA but if ou mouth it$ as man of our
plaers do$ 1 had as lief the to"n crier spoke m lines& 4or do
not sa" the air too much "ith our hand$ thus$ but use all
gentlA for in the #er torrent$ tempest$ and$ as 1 ma sa$
"hirl"ind of passion$ ou must acTuire and beget a
temperance that ma gi#e it smoothness& =$ it offends me to the
soul$ to hear a robustious peri"igDpated fello" tear a passion to
tatters$ to #er rags$ to split the cars of the groundlings$ "ho$
for the most part$ are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb
sho"s and noiseA 1 "ould ha#e such a fello" "hipped for o!erdoing
)ermagantJ it outDherods HerodA pra ou a#oid it&
1 Plaer&
1 "arrant our honour&
Ham&
-e not too tame neitherJ but let our o"n discretion be our
tutorA suit the action to the "ord$ the "ord to the actionJ "ith
this special obser#ance$ that ou o!erstep not the modest of
natureA for anthing so o#erdone is from the purpose of plaing$
"hose end$ both at the first and no"$ "as and is$ to hold$ as
!t"ere$ the mirror up to natureJ to sho" #irtue her o"n image$
scorn her o"n image$ and the #er age and bod of the time his
form and pressure& 4o"$ this o#erdone$ or come tard off$ though
it make the unskilful laugh$ cannot but make the judicious
grie#eJ the censure of the "hich one must in our allo"ance$
o!er"eigh a "hole theatre of others& =$ there be plaers that 1
ha#e seen pla$DDand heard others praise$ and that highl$DDnot
to speak it profanel$ that$ neither ha#ing the accent of
Christians$ nor the gait of Christian$ pagan$ nor man$ ha#e so
strutted and bello"ed that 1 ha#e thought some of nature!s
journemen had made men$ and not made them "ell$ the imitated
humanit so abominabl&
1 Plaer&
1 hope "e ha#e reform!d that indifferentl "ith us$ sir&
Ham&
=$ reform it altogether& Bnd let those that pla our clo"ns
speak no more than is set do"n for themA for there be of them
that "ill themsel#es laugh$ to set on some Tuantit of barren
spectators to laugh too$ though in the meantime some necessar
Tuestion of the pla be then to be consideredA that!s #illanous
and sho"s a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it& Go
make ou read&
2Exeunt Plaers&3
2Enter Polonius$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ho" no"$ m lord% "ill the king hear this piece of "orkR
Pol&
Bnd the Tueen too$ and that presentl&
Ham&
-id the plaers make haste&
2Exit Polonius&3
Will ou t"o help to hasten themR
,os& and Guil&
We "ill$ m lord&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
Ham&
What$ ho$ Horatio%
2Enter Horatio&3
Hor&
Here$ s"eet lord$ at our ser#ice&
Ham&
Horatio$ thou art e!en as just a man
Bs e!er m con#ersation cop!d "ithal&
Hor&
=$ m dear lord$DD
Ham&
4a$ do not think 1 flatterJ
*or "hat ad#ancement ma 1 hope from thee$
)hat no re#enue hast$ but th good spirits$
)o feed and clothe theeR Wh should the poor be flatter!dR
4o$ let the candied tongue lick absurd pompJ
Bnd crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift ma follo" fa"ning& 'ost thou hearR
Since m dear soul "as mistress of her choice$
Bnd could of men distinguish$ her election
Hath seal!d thee for herselfA for thou hast been
Bs one$ in suffering all$ that suffers nothingJ
B man that *ortune!s buffets and re"ards
Hast ta!en "ith eTual thanksA and bles!d are those
Whose blood and judgment are so "ell commingled
)hat the are not a pipe for *ortune!s finger
)o sound "hat stop she please& Gi#e me that man
)hat is not passion!s sla#e$ and 1 "ill "ear him
1n m heart!s core$ a$ in m heart of heart$
Bs 1 do thee&DDSomething too much of this&DD
)here is a pla toDnight before the kingJ
=ne scene of it comes near the circumstance$
Which 1 ha#e told thee$ of m father!s deathA
1 pr!thee$ "hen thou see!st that act aDfoot$
E#en "ith the #er comment of th soul
=bser#e mine uncleA if his occulted guilt
'o not itself unkennel in one speech$
1t is a damned ghost that "e ha#e seenJ
Bnd m imaginations are as foul
Bs +ulcan!s stith& Gi#e him heedful noteJ
*or 1 mine ees "ill ri#et to his faceJ
Bnd$ after$ "e "ill both our judgments join
1n censure of his seeming&
Hor&
Well$ m lordA
1f he steal aught the "hilst this pla is plaing$
Bnd scape detecting$ 1 "ill pa the theft&
Ham&
)he are coming to the pla& 1 must be idleA
Get ou a place&
2'anish march& B flourish& Enter Ving$ Uueen$ Polonius$ =phelia$
,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ and others&3
Ving&
Ho" fares our cousin HamletR
Ham&
Excellent$ i! faithJ of the chameleon!s dishA 1 eat the air$
promiseDcrammedA ou cannot feed capons so&
Ving&
1 ha#e nothing "ith this ans"er$ HamletJ these "ords are not
mine&
Ham&
4o$ nor mine no"& ? lord$ ou pla!d once i! the uni#ersit$ ou
saR 2)o Polonius&3
Pol&
)hat did 1$ m lord$ and "as accounted a good actor&
Ham&
What did ou enactR
Pol&
1 did enact Sulius CaesarJ 1 "as kill!d i! the CapitolJ -rutus
killed me&
Ham&
1t "as a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there&DD-e
the plaers readR
,os&
B$ m lordJ the sta upon our patience&
Uueen&
Come hither$ m dear Hamlet$ sit b me&
Ham&
4o$ good mother$ here!s metal more attracti#e&
Pol&
=$ ho% do ou mark thatR 2)o the Ving&3
Ham&
@ad$ shall 1 lie in our lapR
2@ing do"n at =phelia!s feet&3
=ph&
4o$ m lord&
Ham&
1 mean$ m head upon our lapR
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
'o ou think 1 meant countr mattersR
=ph&
1 think nothing$ m lord&
Ham&
)hat!s a fair thought to lie bet"een maids! legs&
=ph&
What is$ m lordR
Ham&
4othing&
=ph&
Pou are merr$ m lord&
Ham&
Who$ 1R
=ph&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
=$ our onl jigDmaker% What should a man do but be merrR
for look ou ho" cheerfull m mother looks$ and m father died
"ithin !s t"o hours&
=ph&
4a$ !tis t"ice t"o months$ m lord&
Ham&
So longR 4a then$ let the de#il "ear black$ for 1!ll ha#e a
suit of sables& = hea#ens% die t"o months ago$ and not forgotten
etR )hen there!s hope a great man!s memor ma outli#e his life
half a earA but$ b!r lad$ he must build churches thenJ or else
shall he suffer not thinking on$ "ith the hobbDhorse$ "hose
epitaph is !*or$ =$ for$ =$ the hobbDhorse is forgot%!
2)rumpets sound& )he dumb sho" enters&3
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen #er lo#inglJ the Uueen embracing
him and he her& She kneels$ and makes sho" of protestation
unto him& He takes her up$ and declines his head upon her
neckA las him do"n upon a bank of flo"ersA she$ seeing
him asleep$ lea#es him& Bnon comes in a fello"$ takes off his
cro"n$ kisses it$ pours poison in the king!s ears$ and exit& )he
Uueen returns$ finds the Ving dead$ and makes passionate action&
)he Poisoner "ith some three or four ?utes$ comes in again$
seeming to lament "ith her& )he dead bod is carried a"a& )he
Poisoner "ooes the Uueen "ith giftsJ she seems loth and un"illing
a"hile$ but in the end accepts his lo#e&3
2Exeunt&3
=ph&
What means this$ m lordR
Ham&
?arr$ this is miching mallechoJ it means mischief&
=ph&
-elike this sho" imports the argument of the pla&
2Enter Prologue&3
Ham&
We shall kno" b this fello"A the plaers cannot keep counselJ
the!ll tell all&
=ph&
Will he tell us "hat this sho" meantR
Ham&
B$ or an sho" that ou!ll sho" himA be not ou ashamed to
sho"$ he!ll not shame to tell ou "hat it means&
=ph&
Pou are naught$ ou are naughtA 1!ll mark the pla&
Pro&
*or us$ and for our traged$
Here stooping to our clemenc$
We beg our hearing patientl&
Ham&
1s this a prologue$ or the pos of a ringR
=ph&
!)is brief$ m lord&
Ham&
Bs "oman!s lo#e&
2Enter a Ving and a Uueen&3
P& Ving&
*ull thirt times hath Phoebus! cart gone round
4eptune!s salt "ash and )ellus! orbed ground$
Bnd thirt do<en moons "ith borro"!d sheen
Bbout the "orld ha#e times t"el#e thirties been$
Since lo#e our hearts$ and Hmen did our hands$
>nite commutual in most sacred bands&
P& Uueen&
So man journes ma the sun and moon
?ake us again count o!er ere lo#e be done%
-ut$ "oe is me$ ou are so sick of late$
So far from cheer and from our former state&
)hat 1 distrust ou& Pet$ though 1 distrust$
'iscomfort ou$ m lord$ it nothing mustA
*or "omen!s fear and lo#e holds TuantitJ
1n neither aught$ or in extremit&
4o"$ "hat m lo#e is$ proof hath made ou kno"J
Bnd as m lo#e is si<!d$ m fear is soA
Where lo#e is great$ the littlest doubts are fearJ
Where little fears gro" great$ great lo#e gro"s there&
P& Ving&
*aith$ 1 must lea#e thee$ lo#e$ and shortl tooJ
? operant po"ers their functions lea#e to doA
Bnd thou shalt li#e in this fair "orld behind$
Honour!d$ belo#!d$ and hapl one as kind
*or husband shalt thou$DD
P& Uueen&
=$ confound the rest%
Such lo#e must needs be treason in m breastA
1n second husband let me be accurst%
4one "ed the second but "ho kill!d the first&
Ham&
2Bside&3 Worm"ood$ "orm"ood%
P& Uueen&
)he instances that second marriage mo#e
Bre base respects of thrift$ but none of lo#e&
B second time 1 kill m husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed&
P& Ving&
1 do belie#e ou think "hat no" ou speakJ
-ut "hat "e do determine oft "e break&
Purpose is but the sla#e to memorJ
=f #iolent birth$ but poor #aliditA
Which no"$ like fruit unripe$ sticks on the treeJ
-ut fall unshaken "hen the mello" be&
?ost necessar !tis that "e forget
)o pa oursel#es "hat to oursel#es is debtA
What to oursel#es in passion "e propose$
)he passion ending$ doth the purpose lose&
)he #iolence of either grief or jo
)heir o"n enactures "ith themsel#es destroA
Where jo most re#els$ grief doth most lamentJ
Grief jos$ jo grie#es$ on slender accident&
)his "orld is not for aeJ nor !tis not strange
)hat e#en our lo#es should "ith our fortunes changeJ
*or !tis a Tuestion left us et to pro#e$
Whether lo#e lead fortune$ or else fortune lo#e&
)he great man do"n$ ou mark his fa#ourite flies$
)he poor ad#anc!d makes friends of enemiesJ
Bnd hitherto doth lo#e on fortune tendA
*or "ho not needs shall ne#er lack a friendJ
Bnd "ho in "ant a hollo" friend doth tr$
'irectl seasons him his enem&
-ut$ orderl to end "here 1 begun$DD
=ur "ills and fates do so contrar run
)hat our de#ices still are o#erthro"nJ
=ur thoughts are ours$ their ends none of our o"nA
So think thou "ilt no second husband "edJ
-ut die th thoughts "hen th first lord is dead&
P& Uueen&
4or earth to me gi#e food$ nor hea#en light%
Sport and repose lock from me da and night%
)o desperation turn m trust and hope%
Bn anchor!s cheer in prison be m scope%
Each opposite that blanks the face of jo
?eet "hat 1 "ould ha#e "ell$ and it destro%
-oth here and hence pursue me lasting strife$
1f$ once a "ido"$ e#er 1 be "ife%
Ham&
1f she should break it no"% 2)o =phelia&3
P& Ving&
!)is deepl s"orn& S"eet$ lea#e me here a"hileJ
? spirits gro" dull$ and fain 1 "ould beguile
)he tedious da "ith sleep&
2Sleeps&3
P& Uueen&
Sleep rock th brain$
Bnd ne#er come mischance bet"een us t"ain%
2Exit&3
Ham&
?adam$ ho" like ou this plaR
Uueen&
)he lad protests too much$ methinks&
Ham&
=$ but she!ll keep her "ord&
Ving&
Ha#e ou heard the argumentR 1s there no offence in!tR
Ham&
4o$ no% )he do but jest$ poison in jestJ no offence i! the
"orld&
Ving&
What do ou call the plaR
Ham&
)he ?ouseDtrap& ?arr$ ho"R )ropicall& )his pla is the
image of a murder done in +iennaA Gon<ago is the duke!s nameJ
his "ife$ -aptistaA ou shall see anonJ !tis a kna#ish piece of
"orkA but "hat o! thatR our majest$ and "e that ha#e free
souls$ it touches us notA let the gall!d jade "inceJ our "ithers
are un"rung&
2Enter @ucianus&3
)his is one @ucianus$ nephe" to the Ving&
=ph&
Pou are a good chorus$ m lord&
Ham&
1 could interpret bet"een ou and our lo#e$ if 1 could see
the puppets dalling&
=ph&
Pou are keen$ m lord$ ou are keen&
Ham&
1t "ould cost ou a groaning to take off m edge&
=ph&
Still better$ and "orse&
Ham&
So ou must take our husbands&DD-egin$ murdererJ pox$ lea#e
th damnable faces$ and begin& ComeADD!)he croaking ra#en doth
bello" for re#enge&!
@uc&
)houghts black$ hands apt$ drugs fit$ and time agreeingJ
Confederate season$ else no creature seeingJ
)hou mixture rank$ of midnight "eeds collected$
With Hecate!s ban thrice blasted$ thrice infected$
)h natural magic and dire propert
=n "holesome life usurp immediatel&
2Pours the poison into the sleeper!s ears&3
Ham&
He poisons him i! the garden for!s estate& His name!s Gon<agoA
)he stor is extant$ and "ritten in #er choice 1talianJ ou
shall see anon ho" the murderer gets the lo#e of Gon<ago!s "ife&
=ph&
)he Ving rises&
Ham&
What$ frighted "ith false fire%
Uueen&
Ho" fares m lordR
Pol&
Gi#e o!er the pla&
Ving&
Gi#e me some lightADDa"a%
Bll&
@ights$ lights$ lights%
2Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
Wh$ let the strucken deer go "eep$
)he hart ungalled plaJ
*or some must "atch$ "hile some must sleepA
So runs the "orld a"a&DD
Would not this$ sir$ and a forest of feathersDDif the rest of m
fortunes turn )urk "ith me$DD"ith t"o Pro#incial roses on m
ra<ed shoes$ get me a fello"ship in a cr of plaers$ sirR
Hor&
Half a share&
Ham&
B "hole one$ 1&
*or thou dost kno"$ = 'amon dear$
)his realm dismantled "as
=f So#e himselfJ and no" reigns here
B #er$ #erDDpajock&
Hor&
Pou might ha#e rhmed&
Ham&
= good Horatio$ 1!ll take the ghost!s "ord for a thousand
pound% 'idst percei#eR
Hor&
+er "ell$ m lord&
Ham&
>pon the talk of the poisoningRDD
Hor&
1 did #er "ell note him&
Ham&
Bh$ ha%DDCome$ some music% Come$ the recorders%DD
*or if the king like not the comed$
Wh then$ belike he likes it not$ perd&
Come$ some music%
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Guil&
Good m lord$ #ouchsafe me a "ord "ith ou&
Ham&
Sir$ a "hole histor&
Guil&
)he king$ sirDD
Ham&
B$ sir$ "hat of himR
Guil&
1s$ in his retirement$ mar#ellous distempered&
Ham&
With drink$ sirR
Guil&
4o$ m lordJ rather "ith choler&
Ham&
Pour "isdom should sho" itself more richer to signif this to
the doctorJ for me to put him to his purgation "ould perhaps
plunge him into far more choler&
Guil&
Good m lord$ put our discourse into some frame$ and start
not so "ildl from m affair&
Ham&
1 am tame$ sirADDpronounce&
Guil&
)he Tueen$ our mother$ in most great affliction of spirit$
hath sent me to ou&
Ham&
Pou are "elcome&
Guil&
4a$ good m lord$ this courtes is not of the right breed&
1f it shall please ou to make me a "holesome ans"er$ 1 "ill do
our mother!s commandmentA if not$ our pardon and m return
shall be the end of m business&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 cannot&
Guil&
What$ m lordR
Ham&
?ake ou a "holesome ans"erJ m "it!s diseasedA but$ sir$ such
ans"er as 1 can make$ ou shall commandJ or rather$ as ou sa$
m motherA therefore no more$ but to the matterA m mother$ ou
sa$DD
,os&
)hen thus she sasA our beha#iour hath struck her into
ama<ement and admiration&
Ham&
= "onderful son$ that can so stonish a mother%DD-ut is there no
seTuel at the heels of this mother!s admirationR
,os&
She desires to speak "ith ou in her closet ere ou go to bed&
Ham&
We shall obe$ "ere she ten times our mother& Ha#e ou an
further trade "ith usR
,os&
? lord$ ou once did lo#e me&
Ham&
Bnd so 1 do still$ b these pickers and stealers&
,os&
Good m lord$ "hat is our cause of distemperR ou do$ surel$
bar the door upon our o"n libert if ou den our griefs to
our friend&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 lack ad#ancement&
,os&
Ho" can that be$ "hen ou ha#e the #oice of the king himself
for our succession in 'enmarkR
Ham&
B$ sir$ but !While the grass gro"s!DDthe pro#erb is something
must&
2,eDenter the Plaers$ "ith recorders&3
=$ the recordersADDlet me see one&DD)o "ithdra" "ith ouADD"h do
ou go about to reco#er the "ind of me$ as if ou "ould dri#e me
into a toilR
Guil&
= m lord$ if m dut be too bold$ m lo#e is too unmannerl&
Ham&
1 do not "ell understand that& Will ou pla upon this pipeR
Guil&
? lord$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 pra ou&
Guil&
-elie#e me$ 1 cannot&
Ham&
1 do beseech ou&
Guil&
1 kno"$ no touch of it$ m lord&
Ham&
!)is as eas as lingA go#ern these #entages "ith our
finger and thumb$ gi#e it breath "ith our mouth$ and it "ill
discourse most eloTuent music& @ook ou$ these are the stops&
Guil&
-ut these cannot 1 command to an utterance of harmonJ 1
ha#e not the skill&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou no"$ ho" un"orth a thing ou make of me% Pou
"ould pla upon meJ ou "ould seem to kno" m stopsJ ou "ould
pluck out the heart of m msterJ ou "ould sound me from m
lo"est note to the top of m compassJ and there is much music$
excellent #oice$ in this little organ$ et cannot ou make it
speak& !Sblood$ do ou think 1 am easier to be plaed on than a
pipeR Call me "hat instrument ou "ill$ though ou can fret me$
ou cannot pla upon me&
2Enter Polonius&3
God bless ou$ sir%
Pol&
? lord$ the Tueen "ould speak "ith ou$ and presentl&
Ham&
'o ou see onder cloud that!s almost in shape of a camelR
Pol&
- the mass$ and !tis like a camel indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is like a "easel&
Pol&
1t is backed like a "easel&
Ham&
=r like a "hale&
Pol&
+er like a "hale&
Ham&
)hen "ill 1 come to m mother b and b&DD)he fool me to the
top of m bent&DD1 "ill come b and b&
Pol&
1 "ill sa so&
2Exit&3
Ham&
-DandDb is easil said&
2Exit Polonius&3
DD@ea#e me$ friends&
2Exeunt ,os$ Guil&$ Hor&$ and Plaers&3
!)is no" the #er "itching time of night$
When churchards a"n$ and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this "orldA no" could 1 drink hot blood$
Bnd do such bitter business as the da
Would Tuake to look on& Soft% no" to m mother&DD
= heart$ lose not th natureJ let not e#er
)he soul of 4ero enter this firm bosomA
@et me be cruel$ not unnaturalJ
1 "ill speak daggers to her$ but use noneJ
? tongue and soul in this be hpocrites$DD
Ho" in m "ords some#er she be shent$
)o gi#e them seals ne#er$ m soul$ consent%
2Exit&3
Scene 111& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ ,osencrant<$ and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
1 like him notJ nor stands it safe "ith us
)o let his madness range& )herefore prepare ouJ
1 our commission "ill forth"ith dispatch$
Bnd he to England shall along "ith ouA
)he terms of our estate ma not endure
Ha<ard so near us as doth hourl gro"
=ut of his lunacies&
Guil&
We "ill oursel#es pro#ideA
?ost hol and religious fear it is
)o keep those man man bodies safe
)hat li#e and feed upon our majest&
,os&
)he single and peculiar life is bound$
With all the strength and armour of the mind$
)o keep itself from !noanceJ but much more
)hat spirit upon "hose "eal depend and rest
)he li#es of man& )he cease of majest
'ies not aloneJ but like a gulf doth dra"
What!s near it "ith itA it is a mass "heel$
*ix!d on the summit of the highest mount$
)o "hose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Bre mortis!d and adjoin!dJ "hich$ "hen it falls$
Each small annexment$ pett conseTuence$
Bttends the boisterous ruin& 4e#er alone
'id the king sigh$ but "ith a general groan&
Ving&
Brm ou$ 1 pra ou$ to this speed #oageJ
*or "e "ill fetters put upon this fear$
Which no" goes too freeDfooted&
,os and Guil&
We "ill haste us&
2Exeunt ,os& and Guil&3
2Enter Polonius&3
Pol&
? lord$ he!s going to his mother!s closetA
-ehind the arras 1!ll con#e mself
)o hear the processJ 1!ll "arrant she!ll tax him homeA
Bnd$ as ou said$ and "isel "as it said$
!)is meet that some more audience than a mother$
Since nature makes them partial$ should o!erhear
)he speech$ of #antage& *are ou "ell$ m liegeA
1!ll call upon ou ere ou go to bed$
Bnd tell ou "hat 1 kno"&
Ving&
)hanks$ dear m lord&
2Exit Polonius&3
=$ m offence is rank$ it smells to hea#enJ
1t hath the primal eldest curse upon!t$DD
B brother!s murder%DDPra can 1 not$
)hough inclination be as sharp as "illA
? stronger guilt defeats m strong intentJ
Bnd$ like a man to double business bound$
1 stand in pause "here 1 shall first begin$
Bnd both neglect& What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself "ith brother!s blood$DD
1s there not rain enough in the s"eet hea#ens
)o "ash it "hite as sno"R Whereto ser#es merc
-ut to confront the #isage of offenceR
Bnd "hat!s in praer but this t"ofold force$DD
)o be forestalled ere "e come to fall$
=r pardon!d being do"nR )hen 1!ll look upJ
? fault is past& -ut$ =$ "hat form of praer
Can ser#e m turnR *orgi#e me m foul murder%DD
)hat cannot beJ since 1 am still possess!d
=f those effects for "hich 1 did the murder$DD
? cro"n$ mine o"n ambition$ and m Tueen&
?a one be pardon!d and retain the offenceR
1n the corrupted currents of this "orld
=ffence!s gilded hand ma sho#e b justiceJ
Bnd oft !tis seen the "icked pri<e itself
-us out the la"J but !tis not so abo#eJ
)here is no shufflingJDDthere the action lies
1n his true natureJ and "e oursel#es compell!d$
E#en to the teeth and forehead of our faults$
)o gi#e in e#idence& What thenR "hat restsR
)r "hat repentance canA "hat can it notR
Pet "hat can it "hen one cannot repentR
= "retched state% = bosom black as death%
= limed soul$ that$ struggling to be free$
Brt more engag!d% Help$ angels% ?ake assaA
-o"$ stubborn kneesJ and$ heart$ "ith strings of steel$
-e soft as sine"s of the ne"Dborn babe%
Bll ma be "ell&
2,etires and kneels&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o" might 1 do it pat$ no" he is praingJ
Bnd no" 1!ll do!tJDDand so he goes to hea#enJ
Bnd so am 1 re#eng!d&DDthat "ould be scann!dA
B #illain kills m fatherJ and for that$
1$ his sole son$ do this same #illain send
)o hea#en&
=$ this is hire and salar$ not re#enge&
He took m father grossl$ full of breadJ
With all his crimes broad blo"n$ as flush as ?aJ
Bnd ho" his audit stands$ "ho kno"s sa#e hea#enR
-ut in our circumstance and course of thought$
!)is hea# "ith himA and am 1$ then$ re#eng!d$
)o take him in the purging of his soul$
When he is fit and season!d for his passageR
4o&
>p$ s"ord$ and kno" thou a more horrid hentA
When he is drunk asleepJ or in his rageJ
=r in the incestuous pleasure of his bedJ
Bt gaming$ s"earingJ or about some act
)hat has no relish of sal#ation in!tJDD
)hen trip him$ that his heels ma kick at hea#enJ
Bnd that his soul ma be as damn!d and black
Bs hell$ "hereto it goes& ? mother stasA
)his phsic but prolongs th sickl das&
2Exit&3
2)he Ving rises and ad#ances&3
Ving&
? "ords fl up$ m thoughts remain belo"A
Words "ithout thoughts ne#er to hea#en go&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& Bnother room in the castle&
2Enter Uueen and Polonius&3
Pol&
He "ill come straight& @ook ou la home to himA
)ell him his pranks ha#e been too broad to bear "ith$
Bnd that our grace hath screen!d and stood bet"een
?uch heat and him& 1!ll silence me e!en here&
Pra ou$ be round "ith him&
Ham&
2Within&3 ?other$ mother$ mother%
Uueen&
1!ll "arrant ouA
*ear me notADD"ithdra"J 1 hear him coming&
2Polonius goes behind the arras&3
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
4o"$ mother$ "hat!s the matterR
Uueen&
Hamlet$ thou hast th father much offended&
Ham&
?other$ ou ha#e m father much offended&
Uueen&
Come$ come$ ou ans"er "ith an idle tongue&
Ham&
Go$ go$ ou Tuestion "ith a "icked tongue&
Uueen&
Wh$ ho" no"$ Hamlet%
Ham&
What!s the matter no"R
Uueen&
Ha#e ou forgot meR
Ham&
4o$ b the rood$ not soA
Pou are the Uueen$ our husband!s brother!s "ife$
Bnd$DD"ould it "ere not so%DDou are m mother&
Uueen&
4a$ then$ 1!ll set those to ou that can speak&
Ham&
Come$ come$ and sit ou do"nJ ou shall not budgeJ
Pou go not till 1 set ou up a glass
Where ou ma see the inmost part of ou&
Uueen&
What "ilt thou doR thou "ilt not murder meRDD
Help$ help$ ho%
Pol&
2-ehind&3 What$ ho% help$ help$ help%
Ham&
Ho" no"R a ratR 2'ra"s&3
'ead for a ducat$ dead%
2?akes a pass through the arras&3
Pol&
2-ehind&3 =$ 1 am slain%
2*alls and dies&3
Uueen&
= me$ "hat hast thou doneR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" notA is it the kingR
2'ra"s forth Polonius&3
Uueen&
=$ "hat a rash and blood deed is this%
Ham&
B blood deed%DDalmost as bad$ good mother$
Bs kill a king and marr "ith his brother&
Uueen&
Bs kill a king%
Ham&
B$ lad$ !t"as m "ord&DD
)hou "retched$ rash$ intruding fool$ fare"ell%
2)o Polonius&3
1 took thee for th betterA take th fortuneJ
)hou find!st to be too bus is some danger&DD
@ea#e "ringing of our handsA peace% sit ou do"n$
Bnd let me "ring our heartA for so 1 shall$
1f it be made of penetrable stuffJ
1f damned custom ha#e not bra<!d it so
)hat it is proof and bul"ark against sense&
Uueen&
What ha#e 1 done$ that thou dar!st "ag th tongue
1n noise so rude against meR
Ham&
Such an act
)hat blurs the grace and blush of modestJ
Calls #irtue hpocriteJ takes off the rose
*rom the fair forehead of an innocent lo#e$
Bnd sets a blister thereJ makes marriageD#o"s
Bs false as dicers! oathsA =$ such a deed
Bs from the bod of contraction plucks
)he #er soul$ and s"eet religion makes
B rhapsod of "ordsA hea#en!s face doth glo"J
Pea$ this solidit and compound mass$
With tristful #isage$ as against the doom$
1s thoughtDsick at the act&
Uueen&
Bh me$ "hat act$
)hat roars so loud$ and thunders in the indexR
Ham&
@ook here upon this picture$ and on this$DD
)he counterfeit presentment of t"o brothers&
See "hat a grace "as seated on this bro"J
Hperion!s curlsJ the front of So#e himselfJ
Bn ee like ?ars$ to threaten and commandJ
B station like the herald ?ercur
4e" lighted on a hea#enDkissing hillA
B combination and a form$ indeed$
Where e#er god did seem to set his seal$
)o gi#e the "orld assurance of a manJ
)his "as our husband&DD@ook ou no" "hat follo"sA
Here is our husband$ like a millde"!d ear
-lasting his "holesome brother& Ha#e ou eesR
Could ou on this fair mountain lea#e to feed$
Bnd batten on this moorR Ha% ha#e ou eesR
Pou cannot call it lo#eJ for at our age
)he heDda in the blood is tame$ it!s humble$
Bnd "aits upon the judgmentA and "hat judgment
Would step from this to thisR Sense$ sure$ ou ha#e$
Else could ou not ha#e motionA but sure that sense
1s apoplex!dJ for madness "ould not errJ
4or sense to ecstac "as ne!er so thrall!d
-ut it reser#!d some Tuantit of choice
)o ser#e in such a difference& What de#il "as!t
)hat thus hath co<en!d ou at hoodmanDblindR
Ees "ithout feeling$ feeling "ithout sight$
Ears "ithout hands or ees$ smelling sans all$
=r but a sickl part of one true sense
Could not so mope&
= shame% "here is th blushR ,ebellious hell$
1f thou canst mutine in a matron!s bones$
)o flaming outh let #irtue be as "ax$
Bnd melt in her o"n fireA proclaim no shame
When the compulsi#e ardour gi#es the charge$
Since frost itself as acti#el doth burn$
Bnd reason panders "ill&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ speak no moreA
)hou turn!st mine ees into m #er soulJ
Bnd there 1 see such black and grained spots
Bs "ill not lea#e their tinct&
Ham&
4a$ but to li#e
1n the rank s"eat of an enseamed bed$
Ste"!d in corruption$ honeing and making lo#e
=#er the nast st$DD
Uueen&
=$ speak to me no moreJ
)hese "ords like daggers enter in mine earsJ
4o more$ s"eet Hamlet&
Ham&
B murderer and a #illainJ
B sla#e that is not t"entieth part the tithe
=f our precedent lordJ a #ice of kingsJ
B cutpurse of the empire and the rule$
)hat from a shelf the precious diadem stole
Bnd put it in his pocket%
Uueen&
4o more&
Ham&
B king of shreds and patches%DD
2Enter Ghost&3
Sa#e me and ho#er o!er me "ith our "ings$
Pou hea#enl guards%DDWhat "ould our gracious figureR
Uueen&
Blas$ he!s mad%
Ham&
'o ou not come our tard son to chide$
)hat$ laps!d in time and passion$ lets go b
)he important acting of our dread commandR
=$ sa%
Ghost&
'o not forget& )his #isitation
1s but to "het th almost blunted purpose&
-ut$ look$ ama<ement on th mother sitsA
=$ step bet"een her and her fighting soul$DD
Conceit in "eakest bodies strongest "orks$DD
Speak to her$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Ho" is it "ith ou$ ladR
Uueen&
Blas$ ho" is!t "ith ou$
)hat ou do bend our ee on #acanc$
Bnd "ith the incorporal air do hold discourseR
*orth at our ees our spirits "ildl peepJ
Bnd$ as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm$
Pour bedded hairs$ like life in excrements$
Start up and stand an end& = gentle son$
>pon the heat and flame of th distemper
Sprinkle cool patience% Whereon do ou lookR
Ham&
=n him$ on him% @ook ou ho" pale he glares%
His form and cause conjoin!d$ preaching to stones$
Would make them capable&DD'o not look upon meJ
@est "ith this piteous action ou con#ert
? stern effectsA then "hat 1 ha#e to do
Will "ant true colourJ tears perchance for blood&
Uueen&
)o "hom do ou speak thisR
Ham&
'o ou see nothing thereR
Uueen&
4othing at allJ et all that is 1 see&
Ham&
4or did ou nothing hearR
Uueen&
4o$ nothing but oursel#es&
Ham&
Wh$ look ou there% look ho" it steals a"a%
? father$ in his habit as he li#!d%
@ook$ "here he goes$ e#en no" out at the portal%
2Exit Ghost&3
Uueen&
)his is the #er coinage of our brainA
)his bodiless creation ecstas
1s #er cunning in&
Ham&
Ecstas%
? pulse$ as ours$ doth temperatel keep time$
Bnd makes as healthful musicA it is not madness
)hat 1 ha#e utter!dA bring me to the test$
Bnd 1 the matter "ill reD"ordJ "hich madness
Would gambol from& ?other$ for lo#e of grace$
@a not that flattering unction to our soul
)hat not our trespass$ but m madness speaksA
1t "ill but skin and film the ulcerous place$
Whilst rank corruption$ mining all "ithin$
1nfects unseen& Confess ourself to hea#enJ
,epent "hat!s pastJ a#oid "hat is to comeJ
Bnd do not spread the compost on the "eeds$
)o make them ranker& *orgi#e me this m #irtueJ
*or in the fatness of these purs times
+irtue itself of #ice must pardon beg$
Pea$ curb and "oo for lea#e to do him good&
Uueen&
= Hamlet$ thou hast cleft m heart in t"ain&
Ham&
=$ thro" a"a the "orser part of it$
Bnd li#e the purer "ith the other half&
Good nightA but go not to mine uncle!s bedJ
Bssume a #irtue$ if ou ha#e it not&
)hat monster custom$ "ho all sense doth eat$
=f habits e#il$ is angel et in this$DD
)hat to the use of actions fair and good
He like"ise gi#es a frock or li#er
)hat aptl is put on& ,efrain toDnightJ
Bnd that shall lend a kind of easiness
)o the next abstinenceA the next more easJ
*or use almost can change the stamp of nature$
Bnd either curb the de#il$ or thro" him out
With "ondrous potenc& =nce more$ goodDnightA
Bnd "hen ou are desirous to be bles!d$
1!ll blessing beg of ou&DD*or this same lord
2Pointing to Polonius&3
1 do repentJ but hea#en hath pleas!d it so$
)o punish me "ith this$ and this "ith me$
)hat 1 must be their scourge and minister&
1 "ill besto" him$ and "ill ans"er "ell
)he death 1 ga#e him& So again$ goodDnight&DD
1 must be cruel$ onl to be kindA
)hus bad begins$ and "orse remains behind&DD
=ne "ord more$ good lad&
Uueen&
What shall 1 doR
Ham&
4ot this$ b no means$ that 1 bid ou doA
@et the bloat king tempt ou again to bedJ
Pinch "anton on our cheekJ call ou his mouseJ
Bnd let him$ for a pair of reech kisses$
=r paddling in our neck "ith his damn!d fingers$
?ake ou to ra#el all this matter out$
)hat 1 essentiall am not in madness$
-ut mad in craft& !)"ere good ou let him kno"J
*or "ho that!s but a Tueen$ fair$ sober$ "ise$
Would from a paddock$ from a bat$ a gib$
Such dear concernings hideR "ho "ould do soR
4o$ in despite of sense and secrec$
>npeg the basket on the house!s top$
@et the birds fl$ and$ like the famous ape$
)o tr conclusions$ in the basket creep
Bnd break our o"n neck do"n&
Uueen&
-e thou assur!d$ if "ords be made of breath$
Bnd breath of life$ 1 ha#e no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me&
Ham&
1 must to EnglandJ ou kno" thatR
Uueen&
Black$
1 had forgotA !tis so concluded on&
Ham&
)here!s letters seal!dA and m t"o schoolfello"s$DD
Whom 1 "ill trust as 1 "ill adders fang!d$DD
)he bear the mandateJ the must s"eep m "a
Bnd marshal me to kna#er& @et it "orkJ
*or !tis the sport to ha#e the enginer
Hoist "ith his o"n petardA and !t shall go hard
-ut 1 "ill del#e one ard belo" their mines
Bnd blo" them at the moonA =$ !tis most s"eet$
When in one line t"o crafts directl meet&DD
)his man shall set me packingA
1!ll lug the guts into the neighbour room&DD
?other$ goodDnight&DD1ndeed$ this counsellor
1s no" most still$ most secret$ and most gra#e$
Who "as in life a foolish peating kna#e&
Come$ sir$ to dra" to"ard an end "ith ouADD
Good night$ mother&
2Exeunt se#erallJ Hamlet$ dragging out Polonius&3
BC) 1+&
Scene 1& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
)here!s matter in these sighs& )hese profound hea#es
Pou must translateA !tis fit "e understand them&
Where is our sonR
Uueen&
-esto" this place on us a little "hile&
2)o ,osencrant< and Guildenstern$ "ho go out&3
Bh$ m good lord$ "hat ha#e 1 seen toDnight%
Ving&
What$ GertrudeR Ho" does HamletR
Uueen&
?ad as the sea and "ind$ "hen both contend
Which is the mightierA in his la"less fit
-ehind the arras hearing something stir$
Whips out his rapier$ cries !B rat$ a rat%!
Bnd in this brainish apprehension$ kills
)he unseen good old man&
Ving&
= hea# deed%
1t had been so "ith us$ had "e been thereA
His libert is full of threats to allJ
)o ou ourself$ to us$ to e#er one&
Blas$ ho" shall this blood deed be ans"er!dR
1t "ill be laid to us$ "hose pro#idence
Should ha#e kept short$ restrain!d$ and out of haunt
)his mad oung man& -ut so much "as our lo#e
We "ould not understand "hat "as most fitJ
-ut$ like the o"ner of a foul disease$
)o keep it from di#ulging$ let it feed
E#en on the pith of life& Where is he goneR
Uueen&
)o dra" apart the bod he hath kill!dA
=!er "hom his #er madness$ like some ore
Bmong a mineral of metals base$
Sho"s itself pureA he "eeps for "hat is done&
Ving&
= Gertrude$ come a"a%
)he sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
-ut "e "ill ship him henceA and this #ile deed
We must "ith all our majest and skill
-oth countenance and excuse&DDHo$ Guildenstern%
2,eDenter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
*riends both$ go join ou "ith some further aidA
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain$
Bnd from his mother!s closet hath he dragg!d himA
Go seek him outJ speak fair$ and bring the bod
1nto the chapel& 1 pra ou$ haste in this&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Come$ Gertrude$ "e!ll call up our "isest friendsJ
Bnd let them kno" both "hat "e mean to do
Bnd "hat!s untimel doneA so hapl slander$DD
Whose "hisper o!er the "orld!s diameter$
Bs le#el as the cannon to his blank$
)ransports his poison!d shot$DDma miss our name$
Bnd hit the "oundless air&DD=$ come a"a%
? soul is full of discord and disma&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet&3
Ham&
Safel sto"ed&
,os& and Guil&
2Within&3 Hamlet% @ord Hamlet%
Ham&
What noiseR "ho calls on HamletR =$ here the come&
2Enter ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
,os&
What ha#e ou done$ m lord$ "ith the dead bodR
Ham&
Compounded it "ith dust$ "hereto !tis kin&
,os&
)ell us "here !tis$ that "e ma take it thence$
Bnd bear it to the chapel&
Ham&
'o not belie#e it&
,os&
-elie#e "hatR
Ham&
)hat 1 can keep our counsel$ and not mine o"n& -esides$ to be
demanded of a sponge%DD"hat replication should be made b the son
of a kingR
,os&
)ake ou me for a sponge$ m lordR
Ham&
B$ sirJ that soaks up the Ving!s countenance$ his re"ards$
his authorities& -ut such officers do the king best ser#ice in
the endA he keeps them$ like an ape$ in the corner of his ja"J
first mouthed$ to be last s"allo"edA "hen he needs "hat ou ha#e
gleaned$ it is but sTuee<ing ou$ and$ sponge$ ou shall be dr
again&
,os&
1 understand ou not$ m lord&
Ham&
1 am glad of itA a kna#ish speech sleeps in a foolish ear&
,os&
? lord$ ou must tell us "here the bod is and go "ith us to
the king&
Ham&
)he bod is "ith the king$ but the king is not "ith the bod&
)he king is a thing$DD
Guil&
B thing$ m lord%
Ham&
=f nothingA bring me to him& Hide fox$ and all after&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 111& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving$attended&3
Ving&
1 ha#e sent to seek him and to find the bod&
Ho" dangerous is it that this man goes loose%
Pet must not "e put the strong la" on himA
He!s lo#!d of the distracted multitude$
Who like not in their judgment$ but their eesJ
Bnd "here !tis so$ the offender!s scourge is "eigh!d$
-ut ne#er the offence& )o bear all smooth and e#en$
)his sudden sending him a"a must seem
'eliberate pauseA diseases desperate gro"n
- desperate appliance are relie#!d$
=r not at all&
2Enter ,osencrant<&3
Ho" no"% "hat hath befall!nR
,os&
Where the dead bod is besto"!d$ m lord$
We cannot get from him&
Ving&
-ut "here is heR
,os&
Without$ m lordJ guarded$ to kno" our pleasure&
Ving&
-ring him before us&
,os&
Ho$ Guildenstern% bring in m lord&
2Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern&3
Ving&
4o"$ Hamlet$ "here!s PoloniusR
Ham&
Bt supper&
Ving&
Bt supper% "hereR
Ham&
4ot "here he eats$ but "here he is eatenA a certain
con#ocation of politic "orms are e!en at him& Pour "orm is our
onl emperor for dietA "e fat all creatures else to fat us$ and
"e fat oursel#es for maggotsA our fat king and our lean beggar
is but #ariable ser#ice$DDt"o dishes$ but to one tableA that!s
the end&
Ving&
Blas$ alas%
Ham&
B man ma fish "ith the "orm that hath eat of a king$ and eat
of the fish that hath fed of that "orm&
Ving&
What dost thou mean b thisR
Ham&
4othing but to sho" ou ho" a king ma go a progress through
the guts of a beggar&
Ving&
Where is PoloniusR
Ham&
1n hea#enA send thither to seeA if our messenger find him not
there$ seek him i! the other place ourself& -ut$ indeed$ if ou
find him not "ithin this month$ ou shall nose him as ou go up
the stairs into the lobb&
Ving&
Go seek him there& 2)o some Bttendants&3
Ham&
He "ill sta till ou come&
2Exeunt Bttendants&3
Ving&
Hamlet$ this deed$ for thine especial safet$DD
Which "e do tender$ as "e dearl grie#e
*or that "hich thou hast done$DDmust send thee hence
With fier TuicknessA therefore prepare thselfJ
)he bark is read$ and the "ind at help$
)he associates tend$ and e#erthing is bent
*or England&
Ham&
*or England%
Ving&
B$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good&
Ving&
So is it$ if thou kne"!st our purposes&
Ham&
1 see a cherub that sees them&DD-ut$ comeJ for England%DD
*are"ell$ dear mother&
Ving&
)h lo#ing father$ Hamlet&
Ham&
? motherA father and mother is man and "ifeJ man and "ife is
one fleshJ and so$ m mother&DDCome$ for England%
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" him at footJ tempt him "ith speed aboardJ
'ela it notJ 1!ll ha#e him hence toDnightA
B"a% for e#erthing is seal!d and done
)hat else leans on the affairA pra ou$ make haste&
2Exeunt ,osencrant< and Guildenstern&3
Bnd$ England$ if m lo#e thou hold!st at aught$DD
Bs m great po"er thereof ma gi#e thee sense$
Since et th cicatrice looks ra" and red
Bfter the 'anish s"ord$ and th free a"e
Pas homage to us$DDthou mast not coldl set
=ur so#ereign processJ "hich imports at full$
- letters conjuring to that effect$
)he present death of Hamlet& 'o it$ EnglandJ
*or like the hectic in m blood he rages$
Bnd thou must cure meA till 1 kno" !tis done$
Ho"e!er m haps$ m jos "ere ne!er begun&
2Exit&3
Scene 1+& B plain in 'enmark&
2Enter *ortinbras$ and *orces marching&3
*or&
Go$ Captain$ from me greet the 'anish kingA
)ell him that$ b his license$ *ortinbras
Cra#es the con#eance of a promis!d march
=#er his kingdom& Pou kno" the rende<#ous&
1f that his majest "ould aught "ith us$
We shall express our dut in his eeJ
Bnd let him kno" so&
Capt&
1 "ill do!t$ m lord&
*or&
Go softl on&
2Exeunt all *or& and *orces&3
2Enter Hamlet$ ,osencrant<$ Guildenstern$ Xc&3
Ham&
Good sir$ "hose po"ers are theseR
Capt&
)he are of 4or"a$ sir&
Ham&
Ho" purpos!d$ sir$ 1 pra ouR
Capt&
Bgainst some part of Poland&
Ham&
Who commands them$ sirR
Capt&
)he nephe" to old 4or"a$ *ortinbras&
Ham&
Goes it against the main of Poland$ sir$
=r for some frontierR
Capt&
)rul to speak$ and "ith no addition$
We go to gain a little patch of ground
)hat hath in it no profit but the name&
)o pa fi#e ducats$ fi#e$ 1 "ould not farm itJ
4or "ill it ield to 4or"a or the Pole
B ranker rate$ should it be sold in fee&
Ham&
Wh$ then the Polack ne#er "ill defend it&
Capt&
Pes$ it is alread garrison!d&
Ham&
)"o thousand souls and t"ent thousand ducats
Will not debate the Tuestion of this stra"A
)his is the imposthume of much "ealth and peace$
)hat in"ard breaks$ and sho"s no cause "ithout
Wh the man dies&DD1 humbl thank ou$ sir&
Capt&
God b! "i! ou$ sir&
2Exit&3
,os&
Will!t please ou go$ m lordR
Ham&
1!ll be "ith ou straight& Go a little before&
2Exeunt all but Hamlet&3
Ho" all occasions do inform against me
Bnd spur m dull re#enge% What is a man$
1f his chief good and market of his time
-e but to sleep and feedR a beast$ no more&
Sure he that made us "ith such large discourse$
@ooking before and after$ ga#e us not
)hat capabilit and godlike reason
)o fust in us unus!d& 4o"$ "hether it be
-estial obli#ion$ or some cra#en scruple
=f thinking too precisel on the e#ent$DD
B thought "hich$ Tuarter!d$ hath but one part "isdom
Bnd e#er three parts co"ard$DD1 do not kno"
Wh et 1 li#e to sa !)his thing!s to doJ!
Sith 1 ha#e cause$ and "ill$ and strength$ and means
)o do!t& Examples$ gross as earth$ exhort meA
Witness this arm$ of such mass and charge$
@ed b a delicate and tender princeJ
Whose spirit$ "ith di#ine ambition puff!d$
?akes mouths at the in#isible e#entJ
Exposing "hat is mortal and unsure
)o all that fortune$ death$ and danger dare$
E#en for an eggDshell& ,ightl to be great
1s not to stir "ithout great argument$
-ut greatl to find Tuarrel in a stra"
When honour!s at the stake& Ho" stand 1$ then$
)hat ha#e a father kill!d$ a mother stain!d$
Excitements of m reason and m blood$
Bnd let all sleepR "hile$ to m shame$ 1 see
)he imminent death of t"ent thousand men
)hat$ for a fantas and trick of fame$
Go to their gra#es like bedsJ fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot tr the cause$
Which is not tomb enough and continent
)o hide the slainRDD=$ from this time forth$
? thoughts be blood$ or be nothing "orth%
2Exit&3
Scene +& Elsinore& B room in the Castle&
2Enter Uueen and Horatio&3
Uueen&
1 "ill not speak "ith her&
Gent&
She is importunateJ indeed distractA
Her mood "ill needs be pitied&
Uueen&
What "ould she ha#eR
Gent&
She speaks much of her fatherJ sas she hears
)here!s tricks i! the "orld$ and hems$ and beats her heartJ
Spurns en#iousl at stra"sJ speaks things in doubt$
)hat carr but half senseA her speech is nothing$
Pet the unshaped use of it doth mo#e
)he hearers to collectionJ the aim at it$
Bnd botch the "ords up fit to their o"n thoughtsJ
Which$ as her "inks$ and nods$ and gestures ield them$
1ndeed "ould make one think there might be thought$
)hough nothing sure$ et much unhappil&
!)"ere good she "ere spoken "ithJ for she ma stre"
'angerous conjectures in illDbreeding minds&
Uueen&
@et her come in&
2Exit Horatio&3
)o m sick soul$ as sin!s true nature is$
Each to seems Prologue to some great amissA
So full of artless jealous is guilt$
1t spills itself in fearing to be spilt&
2,eDenter Horatio "ith =phelia&3
=ph&
Where is the beauteous majest of 'enmarkR
Uueen&
Ho" no"$ =pheliaR
=ph& 2Sings&3
Ho" should 1 our true lo#e kno"
*rom another oneR
- his cockle bat and! staff
Bnd his sandal shoon&
Uueen&
Blas$ s"eet lad$ "hat imports this songR
=ph&
Sa ouR na$ pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
He is dead and gone$ lad$
He is dead and goneJ
Bt his head a grass green turf$
Bt his heels a stone&
Uueen&
4a$ but =pheliaDD
=ph&
Pra ou$ mark&
2Sings&3
White his shroud as the mountain sno"$
2Enter Ving&3
Uueen&
Blas$ look here$ m lord%
=ph&
2Sings&3
@arded all "ith s"eet flo"ersJ
Which be"ept to the gra#e did go
With trueDlo#e sho"ers&
Ving&
Ho" do ou$ prett ladR
=ph&
Well$ God dild ou% )he sa the o"l "as a baker!s daughter&
@ord$ "e kno" "hat "e are$ but kno" not "hat "e ma be& God be at
our table%
Ving&
Conceit upon her father&
=ph&
Pra ou$ let!s ha#e no "ords of thisJ but "hen the ask ou "hat
it means$ sa ou thisA
2Sings&3
)oDmorro" is Saint +alentine!s da
Bll in the morning bedtime$
Bnd 1 a maid at our "indo"$
)o be our +alentine&
)hen up he rose and donn!d his clothes$
Bnd dupp!d the chamber door$
@et in the maid$ that out a maid
4e#er departed more&
Ving&
Prett =phelia%
=ph&
1ndeed$ la$ "ithout an oath$ 1!ll make an end on!tA
2Sings&3
- Gis and b Saint Charit$
Black$ and fie for shame%
Poung men "ill do!t if the come to!tJ
- cock$ the are to blame&
Uuoth she$ before ou tumbled me$
Pou promis!d me to "ed&
So "ould 1 ha! done$ b onder sun$
Bn thou hadst not come to m bed&
Ving&
Ho" long hath she been thusR
=ph&
1 hope all "ill be "ell& We must be patientA but 1 cannot
choose but "eep$ to think the "ould la him i! the cold ground&
? brother shall kno" of itA and so 1 thank ou for our good
counsel&DDCome$ m coach%DDGood night$ ladiesJ good night$ s"eet
ladiesJ good night$ good night&
2Exit&3
Ving&
*ollo" her closeJ gi#e her good "atch$ 1 pra ou&
2Exit Horatio&3
=$ this is the poison of deep griefJ it springs
Bll from her father!s death& = Gertrude$ Gertrude$
When sorro"s come$ the come not single spies$
-ut in battalions% *irst$ her father slainA
4ext$ our son goneJ and he most #iolent author
=f his o"n just remo#eA the people muddied$
)hick and and un"holesome in their thoughts and "hispers
*or good Polonius! deathJ and "e ha#e done but greenl
1n huggerDmugger to inter himA poor =phelia
'i#ided from herself and her fair judgment$
Without the "hich "e are pictures or mere beastsA
@ast$ and as much containing as all these$
Her brother is in secret come from *ranceJ
*eeds on his "onder$ keeps himself in clouds$
Bnd "ants not bu<<ers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his father!s deathJ
Wherein necessit$ of matter beggar!d$
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
1n ear and ear& = m dear Gertrude$ this$
@ike to a murdering piece$ in man places
Gi#e$ me superfluous death&
2B noise "ithin&3
Uueen&
Black$ "hat noise is thisR
Ving&
Where are m S"it<ersR let them guard the door&
2Enter a Gentleman&3
What is the matterR
Gent&
Sa#e ourself$ m lordA
)he ocean$ o#erpeering of his list$
Eats not the flats "ith more impetuous haste
)han oung @aertes$ in a riotous head$
=!erbears our offices& )he rabble call him lordJ
Bnd$ as the "orld "ere no" but to begin$
BntiTuit forgot$ custom not kno"n$
)he ratifiers and props of e#er "ord$
)he cr !Choose "e% @aertes shall be king%!
Caps$ hands$ and tongues applaud it to the clouds$
!@aertes shall be king% @aertes king%!
Uueen&
Ho" cheerfull on the false trail the cr%
=$ this is counter$ ou false 'anish dogs%
2B noise "ithin&3
Ving&
)he doors are broke&
2Enter @aertes$ armedJ 'anes follo"ing&3
@aer&
Where is this kingRDDSirs$ stand ou all "ithout&
'anes&
4o$ let!s come in&
@aer&
1 pra ou$ gi#e me lea#e&
'anes&
We "ill$ "e "ill&
2)he retire "ithout the door&3
@aer&
1 thank ouADDkeep the door&DD= thou #ile king$
Gi#e me m father%
Uueen&
Calml$ good @aertes&
@aer&
)hat drop of blood that!s calm proclaims me bastardJ
Cries cuckold to m fatherJ brands the harlot
E#en here$ bet"een the chaste unsmirched bro"
=f m true mother&
Ving&
What is the cause$ @aertes$
)hat th rebellion looks so giantDlikeRDD
@et him go$ GertrudeJ do not fear our personA
)here!s such di#init doth hedge a king$
)hat treason can but peep to "hat it "ould$
Bcts little of his "ill&DD)ell me$ @aertes$
Wh thou art thus incens!d&DD@et him go$ GertrudeADD
Speak$ man&
@aer&
Where is m fatherR
Ving&
'ead&
Uueen&
-ut not b him&
Ving&
@et him demand his fill&
@aer&
Ho" came he deadR 1!ll not be juggled "ithA
)o hell$ allegiance% #o"s$ to the blackest de#il%
Conscience and grace$ to the profoundest pit%
1 dare damnationADDto this point 1 stand$DD
)hat both the "orlds$ 1 gi#e to negligence$
@et come "hat comesJ onl 1!ll be re#eng!d
?ost throughl for m father&
Ving&
Who shall sta ouR
@aer&
? "ill$ not all the "orldA
Bnd for m means$ 1!ll husband them so "ell$
)he shall go far "ith little&
Ving&
Good @aertes$
1f ou desire to kno" the certaint
=f our dear father!s death$ is!t "rit in our re#enge
)hat$ s"eepstake$ ou "ill dra" both friend and foe$
Winner and loserR
@aer&
4one but his enemies&
Ving&
Will ou kno" them thenR
@aer&
)o his good friends thus "ide 1!ll ope m armsJ
Bnd$ like the kind lifeDrendering pelican$
,epast them "ith m blood&
Ving&
Wh$ no" ou speak
@ike a good child and a true gentleman&
)hat 1 am guiltless of our father!s death$
Bnd am most sensibl in grief for it$
1t shall as le#el to our judgment pierce
Bs da does to our ee&
'anes&
2Within3 @et her come in&
@aer&
Ho" no"% What noise is thatR
2,eDenter =phelia$ fantasticall dressed "ith stra"s and
flo"ers&3
= heat$ dr up m brains% tears se#en times salt$
-urn out the sense and #irtue of mine ee%DD
- hea#en$ th madness shall be paid b "eight$
)ill our scale turn the beam& = rose of ?a%
'ear maid$ kind sister$ s"eet =phelia%DD
= hea#ens% is!t possible a oung maid!s "its
Should be as mortal as an old man!s lifeR
4ature is fine in lo#eJ and "here !tis fine$
1t sends some precious instance of itself
Bfter the thing it lo#es&
=ph&
2Sings&3
)he bore him barefac!d on the bier
He no nonn$ nonn$ he nonn
Bnd on his gra#e rain!d man a tear&DD
*are ou "ell$ m do#e%
@aer&
Hadst thou th "its$ and didst persuade re#enge$
1t could not mo#e thus&
=ph&
Pou must sing !'o"n aDdo"n$ an ou call him aDdo"nDa&! =$
ho" the "heel becomes it% 1t is the false ste"ard$ that stole his
master!s daughter&
@aer&
)his nothing!s more than matter&
=ph&
)here!s rosemar$ that!s for remembranceJ pra$ lo#e$
rememberA and there is pansies$ that!s for thoughts&
@aer&
B document in madness$DDthoughts and remembrance fitted&
=ph&
)here!s fennel for ou$ and columbinesADDthere!s rue for ouJ
and here!s some for meADD"e ma call it herb of grace o!
SundasADD=$ ou must "ear our rue "ith a difference&DD)here!s a
daisADD1 "ould gi#e ou some #iolets$ but the "ither!d all "hen
m father diedADDthe sa he made a good end$DD
2Sings&3
*or bonn s"eet ,obin is all m jo$DD
@aer&
)hought and affliction$ passion$ hell itself$
She turns to fa#our and to prettiness&
=ph&
2Sings&3
Bnd "ill he not come againR
Bnd "ill he not come againR
4o$ no$ he is dead$
Go to th deathDbed$
He ne#er "ill come again&
His beard "as as "hite as sno"$
Bll flaxen "as his pollA
He is gone$ he is gone$
Bnd "e cast a"a moanA
God ha! merc on his soul%
Bnd of all Christian souls$ 1 pra God&DDGod b! "i! e&
2Exit&3
@aer&
'o ou see this$ = GodR
Ving&
@aertes$ 1 must commune "ith our grief$
=r ou den me right& Go but apart$
?ake choice of "hom our "isest friends ou "ill$
Bnd the shall hear and judge !t"ixt ou and me&
1f b direct or b collateral hand
)he find us touch!d$ "e "ill our kingdom gi#e$
=ur cro"n$ our life$ and all that "e call ours$
)o ou in satisfactionJ but if not$
-e ou content to lend our patience to us$
Bnd "e shall jointl labour "ith our soul
)o gi#e it due content&
@aer&
@et this be soJ
His means of death$ his obscure burial$DD
4o troph$ s"ord$ nor hatchment o!er his bones$
4o noble rite nor formal ostentation$DD
Cr to be heard$ as !t"ere from hea#en to earth$
)hat 1 must call!t in Tuestion&
Ving&
So ou shallJ
Bnd "here the offence is let the great axe fall&
1 pra ou go "ith me&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +1& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Horatio and a Ser#ant&3
Hor&
What are the that "ould speak "ith meR
Ser#ant&
Sailors$ sirA the sa the ha#e letters for ou&
Hor&
@et them come in&
2Exit Ser#ant&3
1 do not kno" from "hat part of the "orld
1 should be greeted$ if not from @ord Hamlet&
2Enter Sailors&3
1 Sailor&
God bless ou$ sir&
Hor&
@et him bless thee too&
Sailor&
He shall$ sir$ an!t please him& )here!s a letter for ou$
sir$DDit comes from the ambassador that "as bound for EnglandJ if
our name be Horatio$ as 1 am let to kno" it is&
Hor&
2,eads&3 !Horatio$ "hen thou shalt ha#e o#erlooked
this$ gi#e these fello"s some means to the kingA the ha#e
letters for him& Ere "e "ere t"o das old at sea$ a pirate of
#er "arlike appointment ga#e us chase& *inding oursel#es too
slo" of sail$ "e put on a compelled #alour$ and in the grapple 1
boarded themA on the instant the got clear of our shipJ so 1
alone became their prisoner& )he ha#e dealt "ith me like thie#es
of mercA but the kne" "hat the didJ 1 am to do a good turn for
them& @et the king ha#e the letters 1 ha#e sentJ and repair thou
to me "ith as much haste as thou "ouldst fl death& 1 ha#e "ords
to speak in thine ear "ill make thee dumbJ et are the much too
light for the bore of the matter& )hese good fello"s "ill bring
thee "here 1 am& ,osencrant< and Guildenstern hold their course
for EnglandA of them 1 ha#e much to tell thee& *are"ell&
He that thou kno"est thine$ HB?@E)&!
Come$ 1 "ill gi#e ou "a for these our lettersJ
Bnd do!t the speedier$ that ou ma direct me
)o him from "hom ou brought them&
2Exeunt&3
Scene +11& Bnother room in the Castle&
2Enter Ving and @aertes&3
Ving&
4o" must our conscience m acTuittance seal$
Bnd ou must put me in our heart for friend$
Sith ou ha#e heard$ and "ith a kno"ing ear$
)hat he "hich hath our noble father slain
Pursu!d m life&
@aer&
1t "ell appearsADDbut tell me
Wh ou proceeded not against these feats$
So crimeful and so capital in nature$
Bs b our safet$ "isdom$ all things else$
Pou mainl "ere stirr!d up&
Ving&
=$ for t"o special reasonsJ
Which ma to ou$ perhaps$ seem much unsine"!d$
-ut et to me the are strong& )he Tueen his mother
@i#es almost b his looksJ and for mself$DD
? #irtue or m plague$ be it either "hich$DD
She!s so conjuncti#e to m life and soul$
)hat$ as the star mo#es not but in his sphere$
1 could not but b her& )he other moti#e$
Wh to a public count 1 might not go$
1s the great lo#e the general gender bear himJ
Who$ dipping all his faults in their affection$
Would$ like the spring that turneth "ood to stone$
Con#ert his g#es to gracesJ so that m arro"s$
)oo slightl timber!d for so loud a "ind$
Would ha#e re#erted to m bo" again$
Bnd not "here 1 had aim!d them&
@aer&
Bnd so ha#e 1 a noble father lostJ
B sister dri#en into desperate terms$DD
Whose "orth$ if praises ma go back again$
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
*or her perfectionsADDbut m re#enge "ill come&
Ving&
-reak not our sleeps for thatADDou must not think
)hat "e are made of stuff so flat and dull
)hat "e can let our beard be shook "ith danger$
Bnd think it pastime& Pou shortl shall hear moreA
1 lo#!d our father$ and "e lo#e ourselfJ
Bnd that$ 1 hope$ "ill teach ou to imagine$DD
2Enter a ?essenger&3
Ho" no"% What ne"sR
?ess&
@etters$ m lord$ from HamletA
)his to our majestJ this to the Tueen&
Ving&
*rom Hamlet% Who brought themR
?ess&
Sailors$ m lord$ the saJ 1 sa" them notA
)he "ere gi#en me b ClaudioADDhe recei#!d them
=f him that brought them&
Ving&
@aertes$ ou shall hear them&
@ea#e us&
2Exit ?essenger&3
2,eads3!High and might$DDPou shall kno" 1 am set naked on our
kingdom& )oDmorro" shall 1 beg lea#e to see our kingl eesA
"hen 1 shall$ first asking our pardon thereunto$ recount the
occasions of m sudden and more strange return& HB?@E)&!
What should this meanR Bre all the rest come backR
=r is it some abuse$ and no such thingR
@aer&
Vno" ou the handR
Ving&
!)is Hamlet!s characterADD!4aked%!DD
Bnd in a postscript here$ he sas !alone&!
Can ou ad#ise meR
@aer&
1 am lost in it$ m lord& -ut let him comeJ
1t "arms the #er sickness in m heart
)hat 1 shall li#e and tell him to his teeth$
!)hus didest thou&!
Ving&
1f it be so$ @aertes$DD
Bs ho" should it be soR ho" other"iseRDD
Will ou be rul!d b meR
@aer&
B$ m lordJ
So ou "ill not o!errule me to a peace&
Ving&
)o thine o"n peace& 1f he be no" return!dDD
Bs checking at his #oage$ and that he means
4o more to undertake it$DD1 "ill "ork him
)o exploit$ no" ripe in m de#ice$
>nder the "hich he shall not choose but fallA
Bnd for his death no "ind shall breatheJ
-ut e#en his mother shall uncharge the practice
Bnd call it accident&
@aer&
? lord$ 1 "ill be rul!dJ
)he rather if ou could de#ise it so
)hat 1 might be the organ&
Ving&
1t falls right&
Pou ha#e been talk!d of since our tra#el much$
Bnd that in Hamlet!s hearing$ for a Tualit
Wherein the sa ou shineA our sum of parts
'id not together pluck such en# from him
Bs did that oneJ and that$ in m regard$
=f the un"orthiest siege&
@aer&
What part is that$ m lordR
Ving&
B #er riband in the cap of outh$
Pet needful tooJ for outh no less becomes
)he light and careless li#er that it "ears
)han settled age his sables and his "eeds$
1mporting health and gra#eness&DD)"o months since$
Here "as a gentleman of 4ormand$DD
1!#e seen mself$ and ser#!d against$ the *rench$
Bnd the can "ell on horsebackA but this gallant
Had "itchcraft in!tA he gre" unto his seatJ
Bnd to such "ondrous doing brought his horse$
Bs had he been incorps!d and demiDnatur!d
With the bra#e beastA so far he topp!d m thought
)hat 1$ in forger of shapes and tricks$
Come short of "hat he did&
@aer&
B 4orman "as!tR
Ving&
B 4orman&
@aer&
>pon m life$ @amond&
Ving&
)he #er same&
@aer&
1 kno" him "ellA he is the brooch indeed
Bnd gem of all the nation&
Ving&
He made confession of ouJ
Bnd ga#e ou such a masterl report
*or art and exercise in our defence$
Bnd for our rapier most especiall$
)hat he cried out$ !t"ould be a sight indeed
1f one could match ouA the scrimers of their nation
He s"ore$ had neither motion$ guard$ nor ee$
1f ou oppos!d them& Sir$ this report of his
'id Hamlet so en#enom "ith his en#
)hat he could nothing do but "ish and beg
Pour sudden coming o!er$ to pla "ith him&
4o"$ out of this$DD
@aer&
What out of this$ m lordR
Ving&
@aertes$ "as our father dear to ouR
=r are ou like the painting of a sorro"$
B face "ithout a heartR
@aer&
Wh ask ou thisR
Ving&
4ot that 1 think ou did not lo#e our fatherJ
-ut that 1 kno" lo#e is begun b time$
Bnd that 1 see$ in passages of proof$
)ime Tualifies the spark and fire of it&
)here li#es "ithin the #er flame of lo#e
B kind of "ick or snuff that "ill abate itJ
Bnd nothing is at a like goodness stillJ
*or goodness$ gro"ing to a pluris$
'ies in his o"n too muchA that "e "ould do$
We should do "hen "e "ouldJ for this !"ould! changes$
Bnd hath abatements and delas as man
Bs there are tongues$ are hands$ are accidentsJ
Bnd then this !should! is like a spendthrift sigh$
)hat hurts b easing& -ut to the Tuick o! the ulcerADD
Hamlet comes backA "hat "ould ou undertake
)o sho" ourself our father!s son in deed
?ore than in "ordsR
@aer&
)o cut his throat i! the church&
Ving&
4o place$ indeed$ should murder sanctuari<eJ
,e#enge should ha#e no bounds& -ut$ good @aertes$
Will ou do this$ keep close "ithin our chamber&
Hamlet return!d shall kno" ou are come homeA
We!ll put on those shall praise our excellence
Bnd set a double #arnish on the fame
)he *renchman ga#e ouJ bring ou in fine together
Bnd "ager on our headsA he$ being remiss$
?ost generous$ and free from all contri#ing$
Will not peruse the foilsJ so that "ith ease$
=r "ith a little shuffling$ ou ma choose
B s"ord unbated$ and$ in a pass of practice$
,eTuite him for our father&
@aer&
1 "ill do!tA
Bnd for that purpose 1!ll anoint m s"ord&
1 bought an unction of a mountebank$
So mortal that$ but dip a knife in it$
Where it dra"s blood no cataplasm so rare$
Collected from all simples that ha#e #irtue
>nder the moon$ can sa#e the thing from death
)his is but scratch!d "ithalA 1!ll touch m point
With this contagion$ that$ if 1 gall him slightl$
1t ma be death&
Ving&
@et!s further think of thisJ
Weigh "hat con#enience both of time and means
?a fit us to our shapeA if this should fail$
Bnd that our drift look through our bad performance&
!)"ere better not assa!dA therefore this project
Should ha#e a back or second$ that might hold
1f this did blast in proof& Soft% let me seeADD
We!ll make a solemn "ager on our cunnings$DD
1 ha!tA
When in our motion ou are hot and dr$DD
Bs make our bouts more #iolent to that end$DD
Bnd that he calls for drink$ 1!ll ha#e prepar!d him
B chalice for the nonceJ "hereon but sipping$
1f he b chance escape our #enom!d stuck$
=ur purpose ma hold there&
2Enter Uueen&3
Ho" no"$ s"eet Tueen%
Uueen&
=ne "oe doth tread upon another!s heel$
So fast the follo"ADDour sister!s dro"n!d$ @aertes&
@aer&
'ro"n!d% =$ "hereR
Uueen&
)here is a "illo" gro"s aslant a brook$
)hat sho"s his hoar lea#es in the glass streamJ
)here "ith fantastic garlands did she come
=f cro"flo"ers$ nettles$ daisies$ and long purples$
)hat liberal shepherds gi#e a grosser name$
-ut our cold maids do dead men!s fingers call them&
)here$ on the pendant boughs her coronet "eeds
Clamb!ring to hang$ an en#ious sli#er brokeJ
When do"n her "eed trophies and herself
*ell in the "eeping brook& Her clothes spread "ideJ
Bnd$ mermaidDlike$ a"hile the bore her upJ
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunesJ
Bs one incapable of her o"n distress$
=r like a creature nati#e and indu!d
>nto that elementA but long it could not be
)ill that her garments$ hea# "ith their drink$
Pull!d the poor "retch from her melodious la
)o mudd death&
@aer&
Blas$ then she is dro"n!dR
Uueen&
'ro"n!d$ dro"n!d&
@aer&
)oo much of "ater hast thou$ poor =phelia$
Bnd therefore 1 forbid m tearsA but et
1t is our trickJ nature her custom holds$
@et shame sa "hat it "illA "hen these are gone$
)he "oman "ill be out&DDBdieu$ m lordA
1 ha#e a speech of fire$ that fain "ould bla<e$
-ut that this foll douts it&
2Exit&3
Ving&
@et!s follo"$ GertrudeJ
Ho" much 1 had to do to calm his rage%
4o" fear 1 this "ill gi#e it start againJ
)herefore let!s follo"&
2Exeunt&3
BC) +&
Scene 1& B churchard&
2Enter t"o Clo"ns$ "ith spades$ Xc&3
. Clo"n&
1s she to be buried in Christian burial "hen she "ilfull
seeks her o"n sal#ationR
8 Clo"n&
1 tell thee she isJ and therefore make her gra#e straightA the
cro"ner hath sat on her$ and finds it Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Ho" can that be$ unless she dro"ned herself in her o"n defenceR
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ !tis found so&
. Clo"n&
1t must be se offendendoJ it cannot be else& *or here lies
the pointA if 1 dro"n mself "ittingl$ it argues an actA and an
act hath three branchesJ it is to act$ to do$ and to performA
argal$ she dro"ned herself "ittingl&
8 Clo"n&
4a$ but hear ou$ goodman del#er$DD
. Clo"n&
Gi#e me lea#e& Here lies the "aterJ goodA here stands the
manJ goodA if the man go to this "ater and dro"n himself$ it is$
"ill he$ nill he$ he goes$DDmark ou thatA but if the "ater come
to him and dro"n him$ he dro"ns not himselfJ argal$ he that is
not guilt of his o"n death shortens not his o"n life&
8 Clo"n&
-ut is this la"R
. Clo"n&
B$ marr$ is!tDDcro"ner!s Tuest la"&
8 Clo"n&
Will ou ha! the truth on!tR 1f this had not been a
gentle"oman$ she should ha#e been buried out o! Christian burial&
. Clo"n&
Wh$ there thou sa!stA and the more pit that great folk
should ha#e countenance in this "orld to dro"n or hang themsel#es
more than their e#en Christian&DDCome$ m spade& )here is no
ancient gentlemen but gardeners$ ditchers$ and gra#eDmakersA the
hold up Bdam!s profession&
8 Clo"n&
Was he a gentlemanR
. Clo"n&
He "as the first that e#er bore arms&
8 Clo"n&
Wh$ he had none&
. Clo"n&
What$ art a heathenR Ho" dost thou understand the ScriptureR
)he Scripture sas Bdam digg!dA could he dig "ithout armsR 1!ll
put another Tuestion to theeA if thou ans"erest me not to the
purpose$ confess thself$DD
8 Clo"n&
Go to&
. Clo"n&
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason$ the
ship"right$ or the carpenterR
8 Clo"n&
)he gallo"sDmakerJ for that frame outli#es a thousand tenants&
. Clo"n&
1 like th "it "ell$ in good faithA the gallo"s does "ellJ
but ho" does it "ellR it does "ell to those that do illA no"$
thou dost ill to sa the gallo"s is built stronger than the
churchJ argal$ the gallo"s ma do "ell to thee& )o!t again$ come&
8 Clo"n&
Who builds stronger than a mason$ a ship"right$ or a carpenterR
. Clo"n&
B$ tell me that$ and unoke&
8 Clo"n&
?arr$ no" 1 can tell&
. Clo"n&
)o!t&
8 Clo"n&
?ass$ 1 cannot tell&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio$ at a distance&3
. Clo"n&
Cudgel th brains no more about it$ for our dull ass "ill
not mend his pace "ith beatingJ and "hen ou are asked this
Tuestion next$ sa !a gra#eDmakerJ! the houses he makes last
till doomsda& Go$ get thee to PaughanJ fetch me a stoup of
liTuor&
2Exit Second Clo"n&3
2'igs and sings&3
1n outh "hen 1 did lo#e$ did lo#e$
?ethought it "as #er s"eetJ
)o contract$ =$ the time for$ ah$ m beho#e$
=$ methought there "as nothing meet&
Ham&
Has this fello" no feeling of his business$ that he sings at
gra#eDmakingR
Hor&
Custom hath made it in him a propert of easiness&
Ham&
!)is e!en soA the hand of little emploment hath the daintier
sense&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
-ut age$ "ith his stealing steps$
Hath cla"!d me in his clutch$
Bnd hath shipp!d me intil the land$
Bs if 1 had ne#er been such&
2)hro"s up a skull&3
Ham&
)hat skull had a tongue in it$ and could sing onceA ho" the
kna#e jo"ls it to the ground$as if !t"ere Cain!s ja"bone$ that
did the first murder% )his might be the pate of a politician$
"hich this ass no" o!erreachesJ one that "ould circum#ent God$
might it notR
Hor&
1t might$ m lord&
Ham&
=r of a courtier$ "hich could sa !Good morro"$ s"eet lord%
Ho" dost thou$ good lordR! )his might be m lord suchDaDone$ that
praised m lord suchDaDone!s horse "hen he meant to beg
it$DDmight it notR
Hor&
B$ m lord&
Ham&
Wh$ e!en soA and no" m @ad Worm!sJ chapless$ and knocked
about the ma<ard "ith a sexton!s spadeA here!s fine re#olution$
an "e had the trick to see!t& 'id these bones cost no more the
breeding but to pla at loggets "ith !emR mine ache to think
on!t&
. Clo"n&
2Sings&3
B pickaxe and a spade$ a spade$
*or and a shrouding sheetJ
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
2)hro"s up another skull3&
Ham&
)here!s anotherA "h ma not that be the skull of a la"erR
Where be his Tuiddits no"$ his Tuillets$ his cases$ his tenures$
and his tricksR "h does he suffer this rude kna#e no" to knock
him about the sconce "ith a dirt sho#el$ and "ill not tell him
of his action of batterR Hum% )his fello" might be in!s time a
great buer of land$ "ith his statutes$ his recogni<ances$ his
fines$ his double #ouchers$ his reco#eriesA is this the fine of
his fines$ and the reco#er of his reco#eries$ to ha#e his fine
pate full of fine dirtR "ill his #ouchers #ouch him no more of
his purchases$ and double ones too$ than the length and breadth
of a pair of indenturesR )he #er con#eances of his lands "ill
scarcel lie in this boxJ and must the inheritor himself ha#e no
more$ haR
Hor&
4ot a jot more$ m lord&
Ham&
1s not parchment made of sheepDskinsR
Hor&
B$ m lord$ Bnd of calfDskins too&
Ham&
)he are sheep and cal#es "hich seek out assurance in that& 1
"ill speak to this fello"&DDWhose gra#e!s this$ sirR
. Clo"n&
?ine$ sir&
2Sings&3
=$ a pit of cla for to be made
*or such a guest is meet&
Ham&
1 think it be thine indeed$ for thou liest in!t&
. Clo"n&
Pou lie out on!t$ sir$ and therefore !tis not oursA for m part$
1 do not lie in!t$ et it is mine&
Ham&
)hou dost lie in!t$ to be in!t and sa it is thineA !tis for
the dead$ not for the TuickJ therefore thou liest&
. Clo"n&
!)is a Tuick lie$ sirJ !t "ill a"a again from me to ou&
Ham&
What man dost thou dig it forR
. Clo"n&
*or no man$ sir&
Ham&
What "oman thenR
. Clo"n&
*or none neither&
Ham&
Who is to be buried in!tR
. Clo"n&
=ne that "as a "oman$ sirJ but$ rest her soul$ she!s dead&
Ham&
Ho" absolute the kna#e is% We must speak b the card$ or
eTui#ocation "ill undo us& - the @ord$ Horatio$ these three
ears 1 ha#e taken note of it$ the age is gro"n so picked that
the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he
galls his kibe&DDHo" long hast thou been a gra#eDmakerR
. Clo"n&
=f all the das i! the ear$ 1 came to!t that da that our
last Ving Hamlet o#ercame *ortinbras&
Ham&
Ho" long is that sinceR
. Clo"n&
Cannot ou tell thatR e#er fool can tell thatA it "as the
#er da that oung Hamlet "as born$DDhe that is mad$ and sent
into England&
Ham&
B$ marr$ "h "as be sent into EnglandR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ because he "as madA he shall reco#er his "its thereJ
or$ if he do not$ it!s no great matter there&
Ham&
WhR
. Clo"n&
!)"ill not he seen in him thereJ there the men are as mad as he&
Ham&
Ho" came he madR
. Clo"n&
+er strangel$ the sa&
Ham&
Ho" strangelR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ e!en "ith losing his "its&
Ham&
>pon "hat groundR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ here in 'enmarkA 1 ha#e been sexton here$ man and bo$
thirt ears&
Ham&
Ho" long "ill a man lie i! the earth ere he rotR
. Clo"n&
*aith$ if he be not rotten before he die$DDas "e ha#e man
pock corses no"DaDdas that "ill scarce hold the laing in$DDhe
"ill last ou some eight ear or nine earA a tanner "ill last
ou nine ear&
Ham&
Wh he more than anotherR
. Clo"n&
Wh$ sir$ his hide is so tann!d "ith his trade that he "ill
keep out "ater a great "hileJ and our "ater is a sore decaer of
our "horeson dead bod& Here!s a skull no"J this skull hath lain
in the earth threeDandDt"ent ears&
Ham&
Whose "as itR
. Clo"n&
B "horeson$ mad fello"!s it "asA "hose do ou think it "asR
Ham&
4a$ 1 kno" not&
. Clo"n&
B pestilence on him for a mad rogue% !a pour!d a flagon of
,henish on m head once& )his same skull$ sir$ "as Porick!s
skull$ the king!s jester&
Ham&
)hisR
. Clo"n&
E!en that&
Ham&
@et me see& 2)akes the skull&3 Blas$ poor Porick%DD1 kne" him$
HoratioJ a fello" of infinite jest$ of most excellent fancA he
hath borne me on his back a thousand timesJ and no"$ ho" abhorred
in m imagination it is% m gorge rises at it& Here hung those
lips that 1 ha#e kiss!d 1 kno" not ho" oft& Where be our gibes
no"R our gambolsR our songsR our flashes of merriment$ that
"ere "ont to set the table on a roarR 4ot one no"$ to mock our
o"n grinningR Tuite chapDfallenR 4o"$ get ou to m lad!s
chamber$ and tell her$ let her paint an inch thick$ to this
fa#our she must comeJ make her laugh at that&DDPr!thee$ Horatio$
tell me one thing&
Hor&
What!s that$ m lordR
Ham&
'ost thou think Blexander looked o! this fashion i! the earthR
Hor&
E!en so&
Ham&
Bnd smelt soR Pah%
2)hro"s do"n the skull&3
Hor&
E!en so$ m lord&
Ham&
)o "hat base uses "e ma return$ Horatio% Wh ma not
imagination trace the noble dust of Blexander till he find it
stopping a bungDholeR
Hor&
!)"ere to consider too curiousl to consider so&
Ham&
4o$ faith$ not a jotJ but to follo" him thither "ith modest
enough$ and likelihood to lead itA as thusA Blexander died$
Blexander "as buried$ Blexander returneth into dustJ the dust is
earthJ of earth "e make loamJ and "h of that loam "hereto he
"as con#erted might the not stop a beerDbarrelR
1mperious Caesar$ dead and turn!d to cla$
?ight stop a hole to keep the "ind a"a&
=$ that that earth "hich kept the "orld in a"e
Should patch a "all to expel the "inter!s fla"%
-ut soft% but soft% aside%DDHere comes the king&
2Enter priests$ Xc$ in processionJ the corpse of =phelia$
@aertes$ and ?ourners follo"ingJ Ving$ Uueen$ their )rains$ Xc&3
)he Tueen$ the courtiersA "ho is that the follo"R
Bnd "ith such maimed ritesR )his doth betoken
)he corse the follo" did "ith desperate hand
*ordo it o"n lifeA !t"as of some estate&
Couch "e a"hile and mark&
2,etiring "ith Horatio&3
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
Ham&
)hat is @aertes$
B #er noble outhA mark&
@aer&
What ceremon elseR
. Priest&
Her obseTuies ha#e been as far enlarg!d
Bs "e ha#e "arrantiesA her death "as doubtfulJ
Bnd$ but that great command o!ers"as the order$
She should in ground unsanctified ha#e lodg!d
)ill the last trumpetJ for charitable praers$
Shards$ flints$ and pebbles should be thro"n on her$
Pet here she is allo"ed her #irgin rites$
Her maiden stre"ments$ and the bringing home
=f bell and burial&
@aer&
?ust there no more be doneR
. Priest&
4o more be doneJ
We should profane the ser#ice of the dead
)o sing a reTuiem and such rest to her
Bs to peaceDparted souls&
@aer&
@a her i! the earthJDD
Bnd from her fair and unpolluted flesh
?a #iolets spring%DD1 tell thee$ churlish priest$
B ministering angel shall m sister be
When thou liest ho"ling&
Ham&
What$ the fair =pheliaR
Uueen&
S"eets to the s"eetA fare"ell&
2Scattering flo"ers&3
1 hop!d thou shouldst ha#e been m Hamlet!s "ifeJ
1 thought th brideDbed to ha#e deck!d$ s"eet maid$
Bnd not ha#e stre"!d th gra#e&
@aer&
=$ treble "oe
*all ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose "icked deed th most ingenious sense
'epri#!d thee of%DDHold off the earth a"hile$
)ill 1 ha#e caught her once more in mine armsA
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
4o" pile our dust upon the Tuick and dead$
)ill of this flat a mountain ou ha#e made$
)o o!ertop old Pelion or the skish head
=f blue =lmpus&
Ham&
2Bd#ancing&3
What is he "hose grief
-ears such an emphasisR "hose phrase of sorro"
Conjures the "andering stars$ and makes them stand
@ike "onderD"ounded hearersR this is 1$
Hamlet the 'ane&
2@eaps into the gra#e&3
@aer&
)he de#il take th soul%
2Grappling "ith him&3
Ham&
)hou pra!st not "ell&
1 pr!thee$ take th fingers from m throatJ
*or$ though 1 am not spleneti#e and rash$
Pet ha#e 1 in me something dangerous$
Which let th "iseness fearA a"a th hand%
Ving&
Pluck them asunder&
Uueen&
Hamlet% Hamlet%
Bll&
Gentlemen%DD
Hor&
Good m lord$ be Tuiet&
2)he Bttendants part them$ and the come out of the gra#e&3
Ham&
Wh$ 1 "ill fight "ith him upon this theme
>ntil m eelids "ill no longer "ag&
Uueen&
= m son$ "hat themeR
Ham&
1 lo#!d =pheliaJ fort thousand brothers
Could not$ "ith all their Tuantit of lo#e$
?ake up m sum&DDWhat "ilt thou do for herR
Ving&
=$ he is mad$ @aertes&
Uueen&
*or lo#e of God$ forbear him%
Ham&
!S"ounds$ sho" me "hat thou!lt doA
Woul!t "eepR "oul!t fightR "oul!t fastR "oul!t tear thselfR
Woul!t drink up eiselR eat a crocodileR
1!ll do!t&DD'ost thou come here to "hineR
)o outface me "ith leaping in her gra#eR
-e buried Tuick "ith her$ and so "ill 1A
Bnd$ if thou prate of mountains$ let them thro"
?illions of acres on us$ till our ground$
Singeing his pate against the burning <one$
?ake =ssa like a "art% 4a$ an thou!lt mouth$
1!ll rant as "ell as thou&
Uueen&
)his is mere madnessA
Bnd thus a "hile the fit "ill "ork on himJ
Bnon$ as patient as the female do#e$
When that her golden couplets are disclos!d$
His silence "ill sit drooping&
Ham&
Hear ou$ sirJ
What is the reason that ou use me thusR
1 lo#!d ou e#erA but it is no matterJ
@et Hercules himself do "hat he ma$
)he cat "ill me"$ and dog "ill ha#e his da&
2Exit&3
Ving&
1 pra thee$ good Horatio$ "ait upon him&DD
2Exit Horatio&3
2)o @aertes3
Strengthen our patience in our last night!s speechJ
We!ll put the matter to the present push&DD
Good Gertrude$ set some "atch o#er our son&DD
)his gra#e shall ha#e a li#ing monumentA
Bn hour of Tuiet shortl shall "e seeJ
)ill then in patience our proceeding be&
2Exeunt&3
Scene 11& B hall in the Castle&
2Enter Hamlet and Horatio&3
Ham&
So much for this$ sirA no" let me see the otherJ
Pou do remember all the circumstanceR
Hor&
,emember it$ m lord%
Ham&
Sir$ in m heart there "as a kind of fighting
)hat "ould not let me sleepA methought 1 la
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes& ,ashl$
Bnd prais!d be rashness for it$DDlet us kno"$
=ur indiscretion sometime ser#es us "ell$
When our deep plots do failJ and that should teach us
)here!s a di#init that shapes our ends$
,oughDhe" them ho" "e "ill&
Hor&
)hat is most certain&
Ham&
>p from m cabin$
? seaDgo"n scarf!d about me$ in the dark
Grop!d 1 to find out themA had m desireJ
*inger!d their packetJ and$ in fine$ "ithdre"
)o mine o"n room againA making so bold$
? fears forgetting manners$ to unseal
)heir grand commissionJ "here 1 found$ Horatio$
= roal kna#er% an exact command$DD
@arded "ith man se#eral sorts of reasons$
1mporting 'enmark!s health$ and England!s too$
With$ ho% such bugs and goblins in m life$DD
)hat$ on the super#ise$ no leisure bated$
4o$ not to sta the grinding of the axe$
? head should be struck off&
Hor&
1s!t possibleR
Ham&
Here!s the commissionA read it at more leisure&
-ut "ilt thou bear me ho" 1 did proceedR
Hor&
1 beseech ou&
Ham&
-eing thus benetted round "ith #illanies$DD
=r 1 could make a prologue to m brains$
)he had begun the pla$DD1 sat me do"nJ
'e#is!d a ne" commissionJ "rote it fairA
1 once did hold it$ as our statists do$
B baseness to "rite fair$ and labour!d much
Ho" to forget that learningJ but$ sir$ no"
1t did me eoman!s ser#ice& Wilt thou kno"
)he effect of "hat 1 "roteR
Hor&
B$ good m lord&
Ham&
Bn earnest conjuration from the king$DD
Bs England "as his faithful tributarJ
Bs lo#e bet"een them like the palm might flourishJ
Bs peace should still her "heaten garland "ear
Bnd stand a comma !t"een their amitiesJ
Bnd man suchDlike as!s of great charge$DD
)hat$ on the #ie" and kno" of these contents$
Without debatement further$ more or less$
He should the bearers put to sudden death$
4ot shri#ingDtime allo"!d&
Hor&
Ho" "as this seal!dR
Ham&
Wh$ e#en in that "as hea#en ordinant&
1 had m father!s signet in m purse$
Which "as the model of that 'anish sealA
*olded the "rit up in the form of the otherJ
Subscrib!d itA ga#e!t the impressionJ plac!d it safel$
)he changeling ne#er kno"n& 4o"$ the next da
Was our seaDfightJ and "hat to this "as seTuent
)hou kno"!st alread&
Hor&
So Guildenstern and ,osencrant< go to!t&
Ham&
Wh$ man$ the did make lo#e to this emplomentJ
)he are not near m conscienceJ their defeat
'oes b their o"n insinuation gro"A
!)is dangerous "hen the baser nature comes
-et"een the pass and fell incensed points
=f might opposites&
Hor&
Wh$ "hat a king is this%
Ham&
'oes it not$ thinks!t thee$ stand me no" upon$DD
He that hath kill!d m king$ and "hor!d m motherJ
Popp!d in bet"een the election and m hopesJ
)hro"n out his angle for m proper life$
Bnd "ith such co<enageDDis!t not perfect conscience
)o Tuit him "ith this armR and is!t not to be damn!d
)o let this canker of our nature come
1n further e#ilR
Hor&
1t must be shortl kno"n to him from England
What is the issue of the business there&
Ham&
1t "ill be shortA the interim is mineJ
Bnd a man!s life is no more than to sa =ne&
-ut 1 am #er sorr$ good Horatio$
)hat to @aertes 1 forgot mselfJ
*or b the image of m cause 1 see
)he portraiture of hisA 1!ll court his fa#oursA
-ut$ sure$ the bra#er of his grief did put me
1nto a to"ering passion&
Hor&
PeaceJ "ho comes hereR
2Enter =sric&3
=sr&
Pour lordship is right "elcome back to 'enmark&
Ham&
1 humbl thank ou$ sir& 'ost kno" this "aterDflR
Hor&
4o$ m good lord&
Ham&
)h state is the more graciousJ for !tis a #ice to kno" him& He
hath much land$ and fertileA let a beast be lord of beasts$ and
his crib shall stand at the king!s messJ !tis a choughJ but$ as 1
sa$ spacious in the possession of dirt&
=sr&
S"eet lord$ if our lordship "ere at leisure$ 1 should
impart a thing to ou from his majest&
Ham&
1 "ill recei#e it "ith all diligence of spirit& Put our
bonnet to his right useJ !tis for the head&
=sr&
1 thank our lordship$ t!is #er hot&
Ham&
4o$ belie#e me$ !tis #er coldJ the "ind is northerl&
=sr&
1t is indifferent cold$ m lord$ indeed&
Ham&
?ethinks it is #er sultr and hot for m complexion&
=sr&
Exceedingl$ m lordJ it is #er sultr$DDas !t"ereDD1 cannot
tell ho"& -ut$ m lord$ his majest bade me signif to ou that
he has laid a great "ager on our head& Sir$ this is the
matter$DD
Ham&
1 beseech ou$ remember$DD
2Hamlet mo#es him to put on his hat&3
=sr&
4a$ in good faithJ for mine ease$ in good faith& Sir$ here
is ne"l come to court @aertesJ belie#e me$ an absolute
gentleman$ full of most excellent differences$ of #er soft
societ and great sho"ingA indeed$ to speak feelingl of him$ he
is the card or calendar of gentrJ for ou shall find in him the
continent of "hat part a gentleman "ould see&
Ham&
Sir$ his definement suffers no perdition in ouJDDthough$ 1
kno"$ to di#ide him in#entoriall "ould di<< the arithmetic of
memor$ and et but a" neither$ in respect of his Tuick sail&
-ut$ in the #erit of extolment$ 1 take him to be a soul of great
article$ and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as$ to make
true diction of him$ his semblable is his mirror$ and "ho else
"ould trace him$ his umbrage$ nothing more&
=sr&
Pour lordship speaks most infallibl of him&
Ham&
)he concernanc$ sirR "h do "e "rap the gentleman in our more
ra"er breathR
=sr&
SirR
Hor&
1s!t not possible to understand in another tongueR Pou "ill do!t$
sir$ reall&
Ham&
What imports the nomination of this gentlemanR
=sr&
=f @aertesR
Hor&
His purse is empt alreadJ all!s golden "ords are spent&
Ham&
=f him$ sir&
=sr&
1 kno"$ ou are not ignorant$DD
Ham&
1 "ould ou did$ sirJ et$ in faith$ if ou did$ it "ould not
much appro#e me&DDWell$ sir&
=sr&
Pou are not ignorant of "hat excellence @aertes is$DD
Ham&
1 dare not confess that$ lest 1 should compare "ith him in
excellenceJ but to kno" a man "ell "ere to kno" himself&
=sr&
1 mean$ sir$ for his "eaponJ but in the imputation laid on
him b them$ in his meed he!s unfello"ed&
Ham&
What!s his "eaponR
=sr&
,apier and dagger&
Ham&
)hat!s t"o of his "eaponsADDbut "ell&
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath "ager!d "ith him six -arbar horsesA
against the "hich he has imponed$ as 1 take it$ six *rench
rapiers and poniards$ "ith their assigns$ as girdle$ hangers$ and
soA three of the carriages$ in faith$ are #er dear to fanc$
#er responsi#e to the hilts$ most delicate carriages$ and of
#er liberal conceit&
Ham&
What call ou the carriagesR
Hor&
1 kne" ou must be edified b the margent ere ou had done&
=sr&
)he carriages$ sir$ are the hangers&
Ham&
)he phrase "ould be more german to the matter if "e could
carr cannon b our sides& 1 "ould it might be hangers till then&
-ut$ onA six -arbar horses against six *rench s"ords$ their
assigns$ and three liberal conceited carriagesA that!s the *rench
bet against the 'anishA "h is this all imponed$ as ou call itR
=sr&
)he king$ sir$ hath laid that$ in a do<en passes bet"een
our and him$ he shall not exceed ou three hitsA he hath
laid on t"el#e for nineJ and it "ould come to immediate trial
if our lordship "ould #ouchsafe the ans"er&
Ham&
Ho" if 1 ans"er noR
=sr&
1 mean$ m lord$ the opposition of our person in trial&
Ham&
Sir$ 1 "ill "alk here in the hallA if it please his majest$
it is the breathing time of da "ith meA let the foils be
brought$ the gentleman "illing$ and the king hold his purpose$
1 "ill "in for him if 1 canJ if not$ 1 "ill gain nothing but m
shame and the odd hits&
=sr&
Shall 1 reDdeli#er ou e!en soR
Ham&
)o this effect$ sirJ after "hat flourish our nature "ill&
=sr&
1 commend m dut to our lordship&
Ham&
Pours$ ours&
2Exit =sric&3
He does "ell to commend it himselfJ there are no tongues else
for!s turn&
Hor&
)his lap"ing runs a"a "ith the shell on his head&
Ham&
He did compl "ith his dug before he suck!d it& )hus has he$DDand
man more of the same be# that 1 kno" the dross age dotes on$DD
onl got the tune of the time and out"ard habit of encounterJ
a kind of est collection$ "hich carries them through and
through the most fanned and "inno"ed opinionsJ and do but blo"
them to their trial$ the bubbles are out$
2Enter a @ord&3
@ord&
? lord$ his majest commended him to ou b oung =sric$
"ho brings back to him that ou attend him in the hallA he sends
to kno" if our pleasure hold to pla "ith @aertes$ or that ou
"ill take longer time&
Ham&
1 am constant to m purposesJ the follo" the king!s pleasureA
if his fitness speaks$ mine is readJ no" or "hensoe#er$ pro#ided
1 be so able as no"&
@ord&
)he Ving and Uueen and all are coming do"n&
Ham&
1n happ time&
@ord&
)he Tueen desires ou to use some gentle entertainment to
@aertes before ou fall to pla&
Ham&
She "ell instructs me&
2Exit @ord&3
Hor&
Pou "ill lose this "ager$ m lord&
Ham&
1 do not think soJ since he "ent into *rance 1 ha#e been in
continual practiceA 1 shall "in at the odds& -ut thou "ouldst not
think ho" ill all!s here about m heartA but it is no matter&
Hor&
4a$ good m lord$DD
Ham&
1t is but foolerJ but it is such a kind of gainDgi#ing as
"ould perhaps trouble a "oman&
Hor&
1f our mind dislike anthing$ obe itA 1 "ill forestall their
repair hither$ and sa ou are not fit&
Ham&
4ot a "hit$ "e def augurA there!s a special pro#idence in
the fall of a sparro"& 1f it be no"$ !tis not to comeJ if it be
not to come$ it "ill be no"J if it be not no"$ et it "ill comeA
the readiness is allA since no man has aught of "hat he lea#es$
"hat is!t to lea#e betimesR
2Enter Ving$ Uueen$ @aertes$ @ords$ =sric$ and Bttendants "ith
foils Xc&3
Ving&
Come$ Hamlet$ come$ and take this hand from me&
2)he Ving puts @aertes! hand into Hamlet!s&3
Ham&
Gi#e me our pardon$ sirA 1 ha#e done ou "rongA
-ut pardon!t$ as ou are a gentleman&
)his presence kno"s$ and ou must needs ha#e heard$
Ho" 1 am punish!d "ith sore distraction&
What 1 ha#e done
)hat might our nature$ honour$ and exception
,oughl a"ake$ 1 here proclaim "as madness&
Was!t Hamlet "rong!d @aertesR 4e#er HamletA
1f Hamlet from himself be ta!en a"a$
Bnd "hen he!s not himself does "rong @aertes$
)hen Hamlet does it not$ Hamlet denies it&
Who does it$ thenR His madnessA if!t be so$
Hamlet is of the faction that is "rong!dJ
His madness is poor Hamlet!s enem&
Sir$ in this audience$
@et m disclaiming from a purpos!d e#il
*ree me so far in our most generous thoughts
)hat 1 ha#e shot m arro" o!er the house
Bnd hurt m brother&
@aer&
1 am satisfied in nature$
Whose moti#e$ in this case$ should stir me most
)o m re#enge& -ut in m terms of honour
1 stand aloofJ and "ill no reconcilement
)ill b some elder masters of kno"n honour
1 ha#e a #oice and precedent of peace
)o keep m name ungor!d& -ut till that time
1 do recei#e our offer!d lo#e like lo#e$
Bnd "ill not "rong it&
Ham&
1 embrace it freelJ
Bnd "ill this brother!s "ager frankl pla&DD
Gi#e us the foilsJ come on&
@aer&
Come$ one for me&
Ham&
1!ll be our foil$ @aertesJ in mine ignorance
Pour skill shall$ like a star in the darkest night$
Stick fier off indeed&
@aer&
Pou mock me$ sir&
Ham&
4o$ b this hand&
Ving&
Gi#e them the foils$ oung =sric& Cousin Hamlet$
Pou kno" the "agerR
Ham&
+er "ell$ m lordJ
Pour grace has laid the odds o! the "eaker side&
Ving&
1 do not fear itJ 1 ha#e seen ou bothJ
-ut since he!s better!d$ "e ha#e therefore odds&
@aer&
)his is too hea#$ let me see another&
Ham&
)his likes me "ell& )hese foils ha#e all a lengthR
2)he prepare to pla&3
=sr&
B$ m good lord&
Ving&
Set me the stoups of "ine upon that table$DD
1f Hamlet gi#e the first or second hit$
=r Tuit in ans"er of the third exchange$
@et all the battlements their ordnance fireJ
)he king shall drink to Hamlet!s better breathJ
Bnd in the cup an union shall he thro"$
,icher than that "hich four successi#e kings
1n 'enmark!s cro"n ha#e "orn& Gi#e me the cupsJ
Bnd let the kettle to the trumpet speak$
)he trumpet to the cannoneer "ithout$
)he cannons to the hea#ens$ the hea#ens to earth$
!4o" the king drinks to Hamlet&!DDCome$ beginADD
Bnd ou$ the judges$ bear a "ar ee&
Ham&
Come on$ sir&
@aer&
Come$ m lord&
2)he pla&3
Ham&
=ne&
@aer&
4o&
Ham&
Sudgment%
=sr&
B hit$ a #er palpable hit&
@aer&
WellJDDagain&
Ving&
Sta$ gi#e me drink&DDHamlet$ this pearl is thineJ
Here!s to th health&DD
2)rumpets sound$ and cannon shot off "ithin&3
Gi#e him the cup&
Ham&
1!ll pla this bout firstJ set it b a"hile&DD
Come&DDBnother hitJ "hat sa ouR
2)he pla&3
@aer&
B touch$ a touch$ 1 do confess&
Ving&
=ur son shall "in&
Uueen&
He!s fat$ and scant of breath&DD
Here$ Hamlet$ take m napkin$ rub th bro"sA
)he Tueen carouses to th fortune$ Hamlet&
Ham&
Good madam%
Ving&
Gertrude$ do not drink&
Uueen&
1 "ill$ m lordJ 1 pra ou pardon me&
Ving&
2Bside&3 1t is the poison!d cupJ it is too late&
Ham&
1 dare not drink et$ madamJ bDandDb&
Uueen&
Come$ let me "ipe th face&
@aer&
? lord$ 1!ll hit him no"&
Ving&
1 do not think!t&
@aer&
2Bside&3 Bnd et !tis almost !gainst m conscience&
Ham&
Come$ for the third$ @aertesA ou but dallJ
1 pra ou pass "ith our best #iolenceA
1 am afeard ou make a "anton of me&
@aer&
Sa ou soR come on&
2)he pla&3
=sr&
4othing$ neither "a&
@aer&
Ha#e at ou no"%
2@aertes "ounds HamletJ then$ in scuffling$ the
change rapiers$ and Hamlet "ounds @aertes&3
Ving&
Part themJ the are incens!d&
Ham&
4a$ come again%
2)he Uueen falls&3
=sr&
@ook to the Tueen there$ ho%
Hor&
)he bleed on both sides&DDHo" is it$ m lordR
=sr&
Ho" is!t$ @aertesR
@aer&
Wh$ as a "oodcock to m o"n springe$ =sricJ
1 am justl kill!d "ith mine o"n treacher&
Ham&
Ho" does the UueenR
Ving&
She s"oons to see them bleed&
Uueen&
4o$ no% the drink$ the drink%DD= m dear Hamlet%DD
)he drink$ the drink%DD1 am poison!d&
2'ies&3
Ham&
= #illan%DDHo% let the door be lock!dA
)reacher% seek it out&
2@aertes falls&3
@aer&
1t is here$ HamletA Hamlet$ thou art slainJ
4o medicine in the "orld can do thee goodJ
1n thee there is not half an hour of lifeJ
)he treacherous instrument is in th hand$
>nbated and en#enom!dA the foul practice
Hath turn!d itself on meJ lo$ here 1 lie$
4e#er to rise againA th mother!s poison!dA
1 can no moreADDthe king$ the king!s to blame&
Ham&
)he point en#enom!d too%DD
)hen$ #enom$ to th "ork&
2Stabs the Ving&3
=sric and @ords&
)reason% treason%
Ving&
=$ et defend me$ friends% 1 am but hurt&
Ham&
Here$ thou incestuous$ murderous$ damned 'ane$
'rink off this potion&DD1s th union hereR
*ollo" m mother&
2Ving dies&3
@aer&
He is justl ser#!dJ
1t is a poison temper!d b himself&DD
Exchange forgi#eness "ith me$ noble HamletA
?ine and m father!s death come not upon thee$
4or thine on me%
2'ies&3
Ham&
Hea#en make thee free of it% 1 follo" thee&DD
1 am dead$ Horatio&DDWretched Tueen$ adieu%DD
Pou that look pale and tremble at this chance$
)hat are but mutes or audience to this act$
Had 1 but time$DDas this fell sergeant$ death$
1s strict in his arrest$DD=$