Middle School - 8A

American School of Kosova

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Scene 1: A Platform on the Wall of Elsinore Castle

(Francesca is pacing the platform.)

Bianca: (Entering) Hey! Who goes there?

Francesca: Hey you! Answer me! Stand and unfold yourself!

Bianca: Long live the king!

Francesca: Bianca?

Bianca: Yes!

Francesca: You come most carefully upon your hour.

Bianca: The clock struck twelve. Go to bed now, Francesca. You have had enough
today.

Francesca: For this relief, much thanks. This night was bitter cold.

Bianca: Have you had a quiet guard?

Francesca: Not a mouse moved.

Bianca: Well, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Maria, tell them to hurry.

Francesca: I think I hear them.

Maria: Hello Bianca!

Bianca: What, is Horatio there?

Horatio: (entering) Yes.

Bianca: Welcome, Horatio. Welcome, Maria.

Maria: What! Has this thing appeared again tonight?

Bianca: I have seen nothing!

Maria: Horatio says this is nothing but our fantasy.

Horatio: Hush! Hush! You sound like fools now!

Bianca: Sit down for a while, and let us once again tell you what we have seen two
nights in a row.

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Horatio: Well, sit down, and let us hear Bianca speak of this.

Bianca: Last night of all, Maria and myself, when the bell struck midnight …

(Enter the ghost)

Maria: Peace! Stay away! Look, where it comes again!

Bianca: Oh my God! Thou art is a scholar! Speak to it, Horatio!

Bianca: Doesn’t it look like the king? Watch it, Horatio!

Horatio: Most like the dead ling! It harrows me with fear and wonder!

Bianca: Let him speak!

Maria: Question it, Horatio!

Horatio: (Speaking to the ghost) What are thou? By heaven, speak to us!

Maria: It is offended!

Bianca: See, It stalks away!

Horatio: Stay! Speak, speak! I tell you, speak!

(Ghost exits)

Maria: It won’t answer. It is gone.

Bianca: How now, Horatio? You tremble and look pale. Is not this something more
than fantasy? What do you think about it?

Horatio: I would never believe this was true, unless I saw it with my own eyes.

Maria: Is it not like the dead king?

Horatio: Just like the dead king himself. This is strange!

Maria: This creature has come here twice just to watch us.

Horatio: I know not what it means, but in my opinion this is strange! (Ghost re-
enters). Look, where it comes again! Stay illusion! Speak to me! Stay and speak!
Stop it, Maria! (The cock crows)

(The ghost vanishes again)

Bianca: It was about to speak when the cock crew.

Horatio: But then it vanished. But look, it’s morning. Let us tell the young Hamlet
what we have seen tonight. Do you consent we tell him that we saw a ghost?

Maria: Let’s do it. I know where we shall find him!

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Scene 2: Throne Room in the Castle that Morning)

(King and Queen seated on thrones with Hamlet, Laertes and Polonius in
attendance)

King: And now, Laertes, what the news with you? You told us your wish. What is it?

Laertes: Your permission to return to France from where I came.

King: Have you got your father’s permission? What does he say?

Polonius: He has my consent, my lord! I beg you, give the permission to him to
go.

King: Laertes, go as you will. And now my cousin Hamlet, and now my son…

Hamlet: (Aside A little more than kin, and less than kind. Neither a cousin, nor a
son.

King: The clouds still hang on you? Aren’t you feeling well?

Hamlet: Not so, my lord. I am too much in the sun.

Queen: Good Hamlet, Let your eyes see the King as your friend. Do not blame him
why your father turned into dust. This is common, all who live must die on day.

Hamlet: Yes mother, it is common.

Queen: Then, why does it seem particular to you?

Hamlet: I know not, mother.

King: This is a command of nature, Hamlet. You must know that your father lost a
father, that father lost his father! But to hold all that grief, it’s not good for you!
This is the fault of the heaven, the fault against the dead. I beg you, look at me as
a father because you are the most immediate to our throne! If your intent is going
back to school in Wittenberg, we beg you to remain here as our son.

Queen: Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet. I beg you, stay with us. Do
not go!

Hamlet: I shall obey thee, my mother!

King: This is the fairest and the most loving reply! Madam, come, let him get some
rest!

Hamlet: Oh God! My father has two months dead, not even two months! And now,
that king is so loving to my mother. Heaven and earth! Why should this happen!
Frailty, thy name is woman! Within a month she married my uncle, my father’s

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brother! The fastest speed, this cannot be real! You broke my heart but I must hold
my tongue!

(Horatio, Maria and Bianca enter)

Horatio: How is your lordship today?

Hamlet: I am glad to see you well, Horatio and my friends. Now what is your affair
in Elsinore?

Horatio: My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral.

Hamlet: Do not mock me, fellow students. I think it was to see my mother’s
wedding.

Horatio: My lord, I think I saw your father last night.

Hamlet: Saw? Who?

Horatio: My lord, the king, your father!

Hamlet: The king, my father? For God’s love, let me hear more!

Horatio: For two nights these two ladies, Maria and Bianca, on their watch, have
seen a figure like your father. He walked by while they stood dumb, too afraid to
speak. This is what they told me and that’s why, I stayed with them the third night.
As they said, the creature came. I knew your father! It was him!

Hamlet: But where was this?

Maria: My lord, upon the platform where we watch.

Hamlet: Did you speak to it?

Horatio: I did my lord, but I didn’t receive an answer.

Hamlet: I will watch tonight. Perhaps it will walk again.

Horatio: I guarantee that it will.

Hamlet: If it has my father’s shape, I will speak to it. But I pray you all, don’t tell
anyone. I will visit you at twelve at the platform. Farewell!

All: Our duty to your honor!

Hamlet: Mine to you. Farewell! (All exit except Hamlet) My father’s spirit—all is not
well. Until the night comes, I need to let my soul rest. I am too tired already!

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Scene 3: Throne Room that Afternoon (Laertes and

Ophelia are talking together)

Laertes: I am ready to embark. And sister, do not sleep but let me hear from you.

Ophelia: Do you doubt that?

Laertes: Hamlet is not permanent, sweet, nor lasting. The perfume of a minute, no
more!

Ophelia: No more than that?

Laertes: Think it no more. Perhaps he loves you now, but you must fear him. His
will is not his own. He may not, as a not valued person, love whom he pleases. His
choice depends on his health and state. Therefore if he says he loves you, fear it
my dear sister.

Ophelia: I will keep this good lesson from you brother.

Laertes: Here comes our father (Polonius enters)

Polonius: Yet here, Laertes? Aboard, aboard, for shame! Let me give you some
advice! Beware of entrance into a quarrel! Give every man thy ear, but few thy
voice. Take each man’s censure but reserve the judgement! Be true to yourself,
and don’t be false to any man. Farewell, my son, my blessing upon thee!

Laertes: Most humbly I will take your advice, oh father. Farewell Ophelia, and
remember well what I have said to you.

Ophelia: I will lock it in my memory, and you shall keep the key of it.

Laertes: Farewell!

(Laertes exits)

Polonius: What is it Ophelia? What did he say to you?

Ophelia: Something about Lord Hamlet.

Polonius: I thought so. What is it between you and Lord Hamlet?

Ophelia: He has made many tenders of his affection to me.

Polonius: Affection! Pooh! You speak like a child. Do you believe Lord Hamlet?

Ophelia: I do not know, my father, what I should think.

Polonius: I will tell you. I think you a baby that you have taken these tenders of
affection for true.

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Ophelia: He has told me his told in honorable fashion, my father.

Polonius: Do not believe his vow. Do not speak to him anymore. Look to it, I
charge you!

Ophelia: I shall obey, my father.

Anna: (Ophelia’s friend) Do not obey your father, my lady. For he indeed loves
you. You must find a way to help him, not leave him alone in this hard time.

Ophelia: What shall I do, my dearest friend?

Anna: Try to talk to him. Try to open his heart and see what he has inside.

Ophelia: Shall I listen to you, or my beloved father? You are trying to teach me
wrong.

Anna: Not I! I am talking from my bottom of my heart. He loves you and I do not
doubt that. But you cannot see the truth. You cannot understand his heart.

Ophelia: I do, but he is not opening his heart to me.

Anna: If you do not try to open his heart yourself, you do not deserve his heart.

Ophelia: Why do you speak so rudely to your friend, Anna?

Anna: The truth I am saying. Nothing more, nothing less. Do as you wish, for I will
not interfere anymore! (she leaves)f

Ophelia: Oh my goodness, what shall I do now?!

Scene 4: Platform on Castle Wall at Midnight

(Hamlet, Horatio and Maria enter)

Hamlet: It is very cold tonight. What time is it now?

Horatio: I think it is nearly twelve.

Maria: No, it has already struck midnight.

Horatio: Indeed? I heard it not. It is almost the time the ghost walks. (Sound of
trumpets and drums). What does this mean, my lord?

Hamlet: The king is celebrating. The kettle drum and trumpet are signs of his
triumph.

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(The ghost enters)

Horatio: Look, my lord, it comes!

Hamlet: Angels, heaven, defend us! Is your spirit brought from heaven or hell?
Father, father, O answer me! What should we do?

Horatio: It beckons you to go away with it, as it if desires to speak to you alone.

Maria: Look, it waves to you, but do not go with it.

Horatio: No, by no means.

Hamlet: If it doesn’t speak, I will follow it.

Horatio: Do not, my lord!

Hamlet: Why? What should be the fear? If it waves me again I will follow it.

Maria: You shall not go, my lord.

Hamlet: Hold off your hands!

Horatio: You shall not go!

Hamlet: My fate cries out! Unhand me! I will make a ghost of him speak. (To
ghost) Go on, I will follow thee!

(Ghost and Hamlet exit)

Horatio: Let’s follow. This is not good

Maria: Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

Scene 5: Another Part of the Platform

(Hamlet and Ghost enter)

Hamlet: Why are you leading me? Speak! I will go no farther.

Ghost: Mark my words.

Hamlet: I will.

Ghost: My hour has come and my mental sufferings are coming to an end.

Hamlet: Alas, poor ghost.

Ghost: Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing to what I will tell you.

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Hamlet: Speak! I am listening.

Ghost: You will revenge when you hear this

Hamlet: What?

Ghost: I am thy father’s spirit. Listen… listen… If you ever loved your father, take
revenge of his most unnatural murder.

Hamlet: Murder?

Ghost: Murder, strange, unnatural.

Hamlet: Tell me everything so that I can take revenge.

Ghost: Now Hamlet, listen! It is not true that I had a natural murder. The person
that took your father’s life now has wears his crown.

Hamlet: My uncle?

Ghost: Yes, that beast won the crown together with my most beloved queen, your
mother! O Hamlet, let me be brief now. I was sleeping within my orchard when
your uncle poured a cursed poison in my ears. O horrible! Most horrible! Don’t let
the throne of Denmark go unrevenged! But, don’t do anything against your mother.
Leave her to heaven. Farewell. Remember me, my son. Remember your father!
Remember me!

(Exit Ghost)

Hamlet: Remember thee? Aye, you poor ghost! Remember thee? You will always
live within my brain. So uncle, there you are… villain… smiling villain! Now to my
word! I have sworn it.

Horatio: What is it, my lord?

Maria: Lord Hamlet!

Hamlet: And now my good friends, give me one poor request.

Horatio: What is it my lord?

Hamlet: Never make known what you have seen tonight.

Horatio and Maria: We will not, my lord.

Hamlet: So gentlemen, we will leave together. Let’s pray! The time has come!

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Scene 6: Room in Polonius’ House Two Months

Later
(Polonius and Ophelia enter)

Polonius: What now Ophelia? What’s the matter?

Ophelia: Oh my father, I have been so frightened.

Polonius: With what?

Ophelia: As I was sitting in my room, Lord Hamlet came before me with his face
pale with a strange look.

Polonius: Mad for your love?

Ophelia: I don’t know, but truly I do fear it!

Polonius: Come with me. I will go seek the king. This is the very madness of love.
His violence will lead to desperate things. Have you given him any words lately?

Ophelia: No, my father. I didn’t reply to his letters and denied his visits as you
commanded.

Polonius: This has made him mad. Come, let’s go to the king. This must be
known!

Scene 7: A room in the Castle

(King and Queen with Rosencrant and Guildensten)

King: Welcome, dear Rosencrant and Guildensten! I am sure you heard of

Hamlet’s transformation. What could it be other than his father’s death? I know that
you have brought up with Hamlet, that you spent time in our castle as Hamlet’s
cousins. So you may know what caused him such grief.

(Rosencrant and Guildensten bow)

Queen: Thanks, dear ladies. I beg you to instantly visit my too changed son. Go
and see where Hamlet is.

Guildensten: Heavens make our presence pleasant and helpful to him.

Queen: Amen!

(They exit, Ophelia and Polonius enter)

Polonius: My good king, I think that I have found the cause of Hamlet’s craziness.

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King: Speak! I want to hear that.

Polonius: My king and queen, your noble son Hamlet is mad!

Queen: More matter with less art.

Polonius: Madam, I swear I am not using art at all. He is mad and this s true. I
have a daughter who has given me this information.

Queen: Does this come from Hamlet to her?

Polonius: Yes, good madam. Patience! I will read it to you! (Polonius reads the
note) “ Oh dear Ophelia. I am ill. I love you the most. Goodbye… Hamlet!” I went to
my daughter and told her not to receive any tokens from him. Hamlet, angry with
this, fell into a sadness.

King: Do you think this?

Queen: It may be.

Polonius: I wish we could prove it otherwise.

King: How can we do that?

Polonius: Sometimes he walks for hours in the lobby.

Queen: He does, indeed.

Polonius: At such a time, I’ll send my daughter to him. We will hide somewhere
and watch.

King: We will try this.

(Queen and King exit, Hamlet enters)

Polonius: How is the good Hamlet doing?

Hamlet: well.

Polonius: Do you know me, my lord?

Hamlet: Excellently. You are a fishmonger.

Polonius: Not I, my lord.

Hamlet: Then I would say you are so honest.

Polonius: Honest, my lord?

Hamlet: To be honest means to be one in ten thousands, sir.

Polonius: That’s very true, my lord.

Hamlet: Have you got a daughter?

Polonius: I have, my lord.

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Hamlet: Look out for her, friend.

Polonius: (Aside) What does he mean by that? I’ll speak to him again. (To Hamlet)
What are you reading?

Hamlet: Words, words, words.

Polonius: What is the matter, my lord?

Hamlet: Between who?

Polonius: I am the matter that you read, my lord.

Hamlet: That you sir, will grow as old as I am, if you could go backward.

Polonius: (Aside) This must my madness. I will leave him meet with my daughter.
(To Hamlet) My honorable Hamlet, I will most humbly take my leave of you.

Hamlet: You cannot sir, take everything from me except my life, except my life.

Polonius: Life? Farewell, my Lord Hamlet.

Hamlet: These old fools!

(Rosencrant and Guildensten enter)

Polonius: You went to seek the Lord Hamlet! There he is.

Rosencrant : God save you, sir.

(Polonius exit)

Guildensten: My honored lord.

Rosencrant : My most dear lord.

Hamlet: My excellent good friends and cousins. Good ladies, how are you?

Rosencrant : As the indifferent children of the earth.

Guildensten: Happy.

Hamlet: But what brought you here to Castle Elsinore?

Rosencrant : To visit you my lord, no other reason.

Hamlet: Were you not sent for a specific reason? Come, deal justly with me.
Speak.

Guildensten: What should we say, my lord?

Hamlet: Straight to the point, the reason why you were sent here. I know the good
king and queen sent you.

Rosencrant : Why my lord?

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Hamlet: To teach me. But let me beg you, be honest with me, whether you were
sent for me or not. If you love me, please tell me the truth.

Guildensten: My lord, we were sent for you. We brought you some players to
bring you satisfaction. To entertain you.

Hamlet: They are welcome, but what players are they?

Rosencrant : They are theatrical players and they will perform a play for you, to
entertain you.

Guildensten: Here are the players! (Players enter)

Hamlet: You are welcome to Castle Elsinore. (To Rosencrant and Guildensten) But
my uncle--- father and more are deceived.

Guildensten: Deceived, how my lord?

Hamlet: I am but mad north—north west. Anyway, you are welcome, actors.
Welcome, all! I am glad to see you. Welcome, good friends (Polonius enter) My
lord, will you take care of the actors. Let them be well cared for.

Polonius: My lord, I will. Come sirs.

Hamlet: Follow him, friends. We will watch a play tomorrow. Can you perform the
play entitled “The Murder of Gonazgo”?

First Player: Yes, my lord.

Hamlet: Good, We will have it tomorrow. Can I write like dozens or sixteen lines
which I would like to insert in the play? Could you memorize them for tomorrow?

First player: Yes, my lord.

Hamlet: Very well, follow the rest.

(Rosencrant and Guildensten exit)

Hamlet: Now I am alone. O what a peasant slave I am. Am I a coward? I cannot

be a pigeon not to revenge my father’s death. Kindless villain! What a fool I am to
unpack my heart. But let me think. I’ll have these actors play something like the
murder of my father before my uncle. I’ll observe his looks. It he turns pale, I know
my course. I must have proofs. The play will help me catch him.

Scene 8: Throne Room in Castle the Next Day

(King, Queen, Ophelia, Rosencrant and Guildensten enter)

King: Why couldn’t you make him talk why is he behaving so strangely?

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Rosencrant : He confesses that he feels distracted but won’t tell the reason.

Queen: Did he receive you well?

Rosencrant : Most politely.

King: Good ladies, try again to make him talk.

Guildensten: We shall try, my lord!

(Rosencrant and Guildensten exit)

King: Sweet Gertude, leave us too. We are trying to make Hamlet meet Ophelia
and Polonius and I will hide ourselves. We want to listen to him.

Queen: I shall obey you. And for you Ophelia. I hope you will bring Hamlet to his
senses again.

Ophelia: Madam, I wish it may be so.

(Queen exits)

Polonius: Ophelia, stand here. We will hide ourselves. I hear Hamlet coming.

(Hamlet enters)

Hamlet: To be, or not to be, that is the question. To die, to sleep, and by a sleep
to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks. To die, to sleep, for
in that sleep of death what dreams may come?

Ophelia: My Lord, Hamlet, how are you today?

Hamlet: Well, well, well.

Ophelia: My lord, I have gifts from you that I wanted to return. I pray you have
received them.

(Ophelia tries to return bracelets and rings)

Hamlet: No, not I. I never gave you anything.

Ophelia: My lord, you know right well that you did. Take these again. There, my
lord. (Ophelia places jewels at his feet)

Hamlet: Ha, ha! Are you honest?

Ophelia: My lord?

Hamlet: Are you beautiful?

Ophelia: What means your lordship?

Hamlet: I truly did love thee once!

Ophelia: You made me believe so, my lord.

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Hamlet: You should not have believed me. I loved you not.

Ophelia: I was deceived then.

Hamlet: Believe none of us. Go your ways to a nunnery! Where’s your father?

Ophelia: At home, my lord.

Hamlet: Let the doors be shut upon him, so that he can play the fool only in his
house.

Ophelia: (Aside) O help him, you sweet heavens.

Hamlet: Go to the nunnery! Wise men know well enough what monsters you are.
Go to the nunnery, quickly!

Ophelia: O heavenly powers, restore him!

Hamlet: God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. Go, go to
the nunnery!

(Hamlet exits, Polonius and King enter from behind the curtains)

Ophelia: Oh heaven! What I have seen!

King: Love! No, it’s not love what made him mad. I fear there will be some danger.

Polonius: I think this madness comes from neglected love. My king, do as you
please, but after the play, let his Queen Mother talk to him alone. If she can’t set
him straight we will send him to England.

King: It shall be so.

(King, Polonius and Ophelia exit)

(Hamlet and Horatio enter)

Hamlet: The actors are ready for the play tonight before the king. One scene must
resemble the circumstances of my father’s death. I pray you, when you see that
scene, observe my uncle. If he looks not guilty, the ghost that we have seen is an
evil ghost. Watch him closely and so shall I, and after, we will compare our
judgements of him.

Horatio: Very well, my lord.

Hamlet: They are coming to the play. Get yourself a place.

(Trumpets and drums start, King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrant and
Guildensten enter. After the king and queen are seated, everyone else is seated
and the play begins. The play is done in pantomime)

Hamlet: Mother, how do you like the play so far?

Queen: Have you seen it before?

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King: How is it called?

Hamlet: The Mouse Trap. The play is in the image of a murder done in Vienna, the
murder of the duke, and this is his wife and his son.

Ophelia: You are a good narrator, my lord.

Hamlet: He poisons the king in the garden. You shall see how the murdered gets
the love of the Duke’s wife.

(King jumps up)

Ophelia: The king rises!

Hamlet: What? Frightened with false fire?

King: Give me some light. Away!

Hamlet: Lights! Lights! Lights!

Polonius: Stop the play!

(All exit, except Hamlet and Horatio)

Hamlet: O good Horatio, the ghost was telling the truth. Did you see the face of
the king?

Horatio: Very well, my lord.

Hamlet: When they were showing the poison.

Horatio: I noticed everything.

Hamlet: Come! Some music, because the king didn’t like the play.

(Rosencrant and Guildensten enter)

Guildensten: My lord. A word with you. The king,…

Hamlet: What of him?

Guildensten: He is very upset.

Hamlet: With drink, sir?

Guildensten: No, he is ill.

Hamlet: Tell this to the doctor, not to me.

Guildensten: My lord, the Queen has sent me to you.

Hamlet: My mother?

Rosencrant : She says your behavior shocked her. She desires to speak with you
in her room.

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Hamlet: I shall obey as she is my mother.

(Polonius enters)

Polonius: My lord, Hamlet, the Queen would like to speak with you.

Hamlet: I will come to my mother.

Polonius: She is waiting. (He exits)

Hamlet: Leave me friends. (Everybody exits) Let me be firm, not cruel. I will speak
dagger to her but use none.

Scene 9: Room in the Castle

(King is pacing up and down)

King: O my crime hurts. A brother’s murder. My strong guilt defeats my strong

intention. Is there not rain enough in heaven to wash my wrongdoing? Then I will
pray, but what kind of prayers I will say. Forgive me! I still have those things for
which I did murder, my crown, queen, ambition. O black soul! Help me, angels!

(The king kneels to pray. Hamlet enters but king doesn’t notice him)

Hamlet: Now might I do it easily while he is praying. But If I do it while he is

praying he will go to heaven, so am I revenged? That would be terrible! A villain
kills my father and for that I send him to heaven? This is not revenge! No! I will
wait for a better time! (Hamlet exits)

King: (rising) My words, fly up. Words without thoughts never go to heaven.

Scene 10: Queen’s room

(Queen and Polonius enter)

Polonius: He will be here soon. I will hide behind the curtains. I am praying for
you, be firm with him.

Queen: I will.

Hamlet (off stage): Mother, mother, mother!

Queen: Withdraw! He comes!

(Polonius hides behind the curtains)

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Hamlet: Now mother, what’s the matter?

Queen: Hamlet, you have offended your father.

Hamlet: Mother, you have offended my father.

Queen: You are answering with a silly tongue.

Hamlet: You are questioning with a wicked tongue.

Queen: Have you forgotten who I am?

Hamlet: Goodness, no! You are the queen, your husband’s brother’s wife.

Queen: I’ll send people to deal with you.

(Queen begins to leave)

Hamlet: Come and sit down. You shall not leave until I set you up a mirror where
you may see yourself.

Queen: What will you do? Will you murder me? Help, help!

Polonius: (Behind the curtains) Help Help!

Hamlet: (Drawing his sword) What now, a rat? (Hamlet kills Polonius). Dead for a
penny.. dead!

Queen: What have you done?

Hamlet: I don’t know. Is he the king?

Queen: O what deed is this?

Hamlet: Almost as bad, good mother, as killing a king and murdering his brother.

Queen: Killing a king?

Hamlet: Ay mother, those were my words. (Hamlet sees Polonius body) You
wretched fool. I took you for the king! (To Queen) Stop, let me reveal your heart,
for I will, it is a human heart!

Queen: What have I done to speak so rudely to me?

Hamlet: Such an act!

Queen: What have I done?

Hamlet: Look here upon this picture, the portraits of two brothers. See, this was
your husband. Here is your husband. Have you got eyes? O shame, where is your
blush?

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Queen: O Hamlet, speak no more! I see suck black spots in my soul. Speak to me
no more! These words enter in my ears! No more, sweet Hamlet!

Hamlet: He is a murdered and a villain that is not even close as good as my father.
He is a thief that stole a kingdom.

Queen: No more!

(Ghost enters)

Hamlet: O heavens, save me! What do you desire?

Queen: Alas, he’s mad!

Hamlet: You came for your son?

Ghost: Do not forget your mission. I come to remind you. But look, your mother is
afraid. Speak to her, Hamlet.

Hamlet: What is the matter, mother?

Queen: What are you looking at? Who are you talking to?

Hamlet: On him, on him! Look how pale he Is (To the ghost) Do not look at me
with such sadness.

Queen: Who are you talking to?

Hamlet: To him! Can’t you hear him?

Queen: No, nothing but ourselves.

Hamlet: Why? Look there! Look at my father. Look where he goes, out the door!

Queen: You’re mad!

Hamlet: It is not madness, mother. Don’t deceive yourself. Confess to heaven!

Queen: O Hamlet! You have cut my heart in two pieces today!

Hamlet: Throw away the worst part of it and live with the other half. Good night,
mother, and when you want to be forgiven, I will beg you to forgive me. And for
this old man here, I don’t regret. I will answer for the death I gave him. I must be
cruel, only to be kind.

(Hamlet exits dragging out Polonius. King, Rosencrant and Guildensten enter)

King: What’s the matter? Tell me! Where is your son?

Queen: Ah my lord! What I have seen tonight!

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King: Gertude, how is Hamlet?

Queen: Mad, as the sea and wind. He has killed Polonius!

King: O heavy deed. It was meant for me but I was not there. His liberty is
dangerous to all of us. Where has he gone?

Queen: To remove the body he has killed.

King: Rosencrant and Guildensten, go get help! Hamlet is in madness. Go find the
dead body and bring him here. Hurry! Gertrude, go away! (They all exit)

Rosencrant : We cannot find the dead body my lord.

King: But where is Hamlet?

Rosencrant : Outside my lord.

King: Bring him before me.

Rosencrant : Go, Guildensten. Bring him in.

(Guildensten enter with Hamlet)

King: Now Hamlet. Where is Polonius?

Hamlet: In heaven or in the other place. You will find him within the month.

(Hamlet exit with Rosencrant and Guildensten)

King: Somehow, I must kill Hamlet too. (He exits)

(Moments later Queen enters with her Lady in Waiting)

Queen: I will. Not speak with her.

Lady in waiting: She insists. Her mood is so pitiful.

Queen: What does she want?

Lady in waiting: She speaks much of her father, Polonius. She is very unhappy.

Queen: Let her come him. I too, am sick to my soul.

(Ophelia and Lady enter)

Ophelia: Where is the beautiful Queen Gertrude?

Queen: What now, Ophelia?

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Ophelia: (Singing)

He is dead and gone, lady.

He is dead and gone,
At his head a grass green turf,
At his heels a stone. (King Claudius enter.)

Queen: Alas, look here, my lord!

Ophelia: (Singing.)
He is dead and gone, lady.
He is dead and gone,
At his head a grass green turf,
At his heels a stone.

King: She sings about her dead father. How long has she been like this?

Ophelia: I hope all will be well. We must be patient, but I cannot choose but weep
now. My brother, Laertes, shall know what happened. Good night, good night,
goodnight!
(Ophelia exits running madly)

King: Follow her close! Watch her I pray you! (Lady exits) Her grief comes from her
father’s death. O Gertrude! When grief comes, they don’t come singly but in
battalions. First her, then her brother Leartes. He has come from France in secret,
seeking the answer to his father’s death.

(Much noise outside)

Queen: Alas! What noise is that?

King: Where are my men? Let them guard the door! (The Lord 2 enters) What is
the matter?

Lord 2: My lord, young Laertes is mad. He brought people with him.

King: You need to stop him!

Lord 2: The doors are broken! He will enter very soon. Everybody is in danger!

King: Why are you here then! Go, watch the gates! Call everyone!

Lord 2: I did my lord, I called the soldiers but..

(Laertes enter armed)

Lord 2: Watch out, my lord!

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Laertes: O you villain King! Give me my father!

Queen: Calm, good Laertes!

King: What is the cause of this? Let him go, Gertrude! I am not afraid. Tell me,
Laertes, why are you mad?

Laertes: Where is my father?

King: Polonius, your father, is dead.

Queen: But not by the king.

King: Let him speak!

Laertes: How comes he is dead? I will revenge my father’s murder! Let come what
comes!

King: Who shall stop you?

Laertes: Not all the world!

King: Good Laertes, if you want to know the truth about his death, will you punish
all of us?

Laertes: None, but his enemies. To his friends I will open my arms.

King: You are speaking like a true gentleman. I am not guilty of your father’s
death.

(Noise outside)

Laertes: What now? What noise is this? (Ophelia enters insane) O tears! By
heaven, this madness shall be paid for! O dear sister, sweet Ophelia!

Ophelia: (singing) They nonny, hey nonny, Farewell my lovers! (Queen Gertrude
takes Ophelia out)

Laertes: do you see this?

King: Laertes, you shall have satisfaction. You must believe Hamlet did not intend
to kill your father. He wanted to kill me.

Laertes: Why did you let him go unpunished then?

King: for two special reasons. The queen, his mother. She is so necessary to my
life. The other motive is the public. They all value Hamlet and I am afraid what
might happen.

Laertes: And so I have my father lost, and my sister driven instance. But my
revenge will come.

King: True. I loved your father, and I love my life. Can you advise me?

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Laertes: Get Hamlet. I shall tell him what he did.

King: Laertes, will you be ruled by me?

Laertes: Yes, my lord.

King: I have a plot under which Hamlet shall die, and no blame shall be out on us.
Even his mother will think it’s an accident.

Laertes: Can you arrange it so that I might be the cause of the accident?

King: Exactly! Listen! Keep close within your room. Hamlet shall know you have
returned and we will bring you together in a room. You will have a duel, and you
will choose the poisoned sword and quickly send Hamlet to his death.

Laertes: I will do it! I’ll prepare my sword. I have a poison so deadly that nothing
can save him from death.

King: Let’s further think of this. If this plan doesn’t work out, when you and Hamlet
are hot and dry, he calls for a drink, he will get a poisoned drink on a table.
(Queen enters) What now, sweet Queen?

Queen: Laertes, your sister Ophelia has drowned!

Laertes: Drowned! Where?

Queen: She fell in the weeping brook.

Laertes: Alas, then she is drowned!

Queen: Drowned, drowned!

Laertes: To much tears, poor Ophelia! (He rushes out)

King: Let’s follow Gertrude. How much I had to calm him. Not I fear he will start it
all over again. Let’s follow.

Scene 11: Hall in the Castle a few days later

(Horatio and Hamlet are talking as Osric enters)

Osric: My lord, Hamlet. I have a message from his majesty.

Hamlet: I will receive it, sir.

Osric: Sir, a young man called Laertes.

Hamlet: What with him?

Osric: No doubt you are acquainted with his fame as a swordman?

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Hamlet: I have heard of him.

Osric: Well, my lord, the king has said you are better than him.

Hamlet: Did he?

Osric: Indeed, he did. He has bet Laertes cannot exceed you.

Hamlet: What’s his weapon?

Osric: Rapier and dagger. The king has put six Barbary horses against six French
swords.

Hamlet: Sir, I will win for him, for his majesty. I can and I will.

(Osric bows and exits)

Horatio: You will lose this wager, my lord.

Hamlet: I think not. I have practiced constantly and I shall win. But I am ill, here
about my heart, about the death of Ophelia.

Horatio: My good lord, I will tell them you are not fit for this match.

Hamlet: No, Horatio. Let them come!

Scene 12: Throne Room

(King, Queen, Laertes, Hamlet, Horatio and Osric enter)

King: (Placing Laertes’ hand in Hamlet’s) come Hamlet, come and take this hand
for me.

Hamlet: (To Laertes) Give me your pardon, sir. I have done your wrong, but
pardon it. What I have done was madness. It was not Hamlet. It was Hamlet’s
madness. Sir, forgive me.

Laertes. I am satisfied. I do receive your offer of friendship and will not wrong it.

King: Hamlet, do you know the bet?

Hamlet: Very well, my lord.

King: Give them the swords. I do not fear it. I have seen you both.

Laertes: This is too heavy. Let me see another.

Hamlet: Are these swords of the same length?

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Osric: Yes, my good lord.

King: Set the wine on that table. The kill shall drink to Hamlet’s better health Give
me the sup. Now the king drinks to Hamlet. Come, begin!

(Hamlet and Laertes face each other as Osric officially commences the match)

King: Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, here’s to your health (He drops the poisoned
pearl into the glass of wine)

Hamlet: (While fighting) Another hit? What do you say?

Laertes: A touch, a touch.

King: Our son shall win.

Queen: He’s out of breath. Here, Hamlet, take my handkerchief. I toast your
fortune, Hamlet!

(The Queen picks up the poisoned wine)

King: Gertrude, don’t drink.

Queen: I will, my lord. I pray for all.

King: (aside) It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.

Queen: come, let me wipe your face.

Laertes: (Whispering to the king) My lord, I will hit him now.

Hamlet: Come for the third, Laertes! (Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poison-
tipped sword)

Laertes: I have you now!

(Hamlet knock the poisoned sword from the hand of Laertes. Laertes goes to pick
up his sword but Hamlet steps on it and gives him his sword.)

King: Change them.

Hamlet: No! Come again!

Osric: Look at the Queen there!

(Hamlet wounds Laertes with the poisoned sword.)

Horatio: What is it my Lord?

Osric: What is it with you Laertes?

Laertes: I am just killed with my own poison.

Hamlet: What is happening with the queen?

King: She cannot see you hurt!

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Queen: No… noo! The drink, the drink! Oh my dear Hamlet. The drink… I am
poisoned!

(Queen dies at Hamlet’s feet)

Hamlet: O villain! Let the doors be locked! I will seek you out!

Laertes: I am, Hamlet… No medicine on the world can do you good. You will not
live even half of an hour. The poisoned instrument is in your hand, and I am killed
by it. Your mother is now poisoned. The King! The king is to blame!

Hamlet: The sword poisoned too! Then poison, do your work!

(Hamlet stabs the King with the poisoned sword)

King: O defend me, friends, I am hurt!

Hamlet: Here, you villain, Drink this potion! Follow my mother.

(Hamlet pours the poisoned drink down the King’s throat. The king dies)

Laertes: He is justly served. Exchange forgiveness with me, my lord. (He dies)

Hamlet: I am dying Horatio. Poor mother, good bye. Horatio, I am dying! Tell them
what I did was right.

Horatio: I will die with you!

(Horatio attempts to drink the poison)

Hamlet: Give me the cup! If you are my friend, live to tell the story! I am dying
Horatio! The poison has entered my spirit. The rest is silence!

(Hamlet dies)

Horatio: O noble heart! Good night, sweet prince! Flights of angels, sing thee to
thy rest!

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