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Francisco For this relief much thanks.Its bitterly cold out. And I am sick at heart.
Bernardo well tell you the story you dont want to believe, about what weve seen two
nights now. (to the audience)
Francisco Quiet, shut up! Its come again. ( he points off left)
Francisco But look, morning is breaking beyond that hill in the east, turning the sky red.
Claudius Although I still have fresh memories of my brother, and though it was proper to
mourn him throughout our kingdom, life still goes on. Therefore, Ive married my
former sister-in-law, the queen, with mixed feelings of happiness and sadness
King Claudius holds out his hand to Queen Gertrude. She takes
it, moving toward him.
Hamlet Its not true, sir. Your son is out in the sun.
Gertrude My dear Hamlet, stop wearing these black clothes, and be friendly to the king. You
cant spend your whole life with your eyes to the ground remembering your noble
father. It happens all the time, what lives must die eventually, passing to eternity.
Hamlet Seem, mother? No, it is.Neither my black clothes, nor my heavy sighs can show what
I really feel.. I have more real grief inside me that you could ever see on the surface.
Claudius Hamlet, you are so sweet and such a good son to mourn your father like this. But you
have to remember, that your father lost his father, who lost his father before him, and
every time, each son has had to mourn his father for a certain period
Gertrude Please answer my prayers, Hamlet, and stay with us. Dont go back to Wittenberg.
Exit all with a flourish of trumpets, except for Hamlet who moves downstage center.
Hamlet steps toward Horatio and happily gives him a two handed handshake
Horatio My lord (pauses), I think I saw your father, the king, yesternight.
Horatio After midnight, for two nights running, it was seen a figure that looked very much like
your father, in full armor. And he looked more sad than angry.
Castle Battlements at night. there is noise of carousing, cannon, fireworks. Horatio and Hamlet
appear on the parapet.
Hamlet Murder?
Ghost The Serpent that did sting me, now wears my crown
Hamlet There are more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamed of in your philosophy
Horatio Exits
Act II Scene I
Polonius Ophelia, Whats the matter?
Ophelia My lord, I was up in my room sewing when Hamlet came in with no hat on his head, his
shirt unbuttoned, and his stockings dirty. He looked so unwell as if he had just come back
from hell. He came up to me.
They exit
Ophelia My lord, I have memories of yours. I pray you, take them back
Ophelia You know very well you did, and wrote letters. Their perfume is gone now. (hurt)
Hamlet Get yourself to a nunnery (points at oPhelia; yells) begins exit stage right
Hamlet God has given you a face and you made yourself another one.
Hamlet No thanks, my good mother. Theres a nicer piece of work right here. (he sits down near
OPHELIA )
hamlet sits on the oor by oPhelias chair and nestles his head
in her lap; she is sti and uncomfortable, not knowing what to
make of this change in hamlets behavior
KiNG claudius is visibly upset; he stands. the music stops, hubbub noise
Polonius Hell come right away. Tell him his pranks have caused too much trouble. Ill be right
here, silent. (gestures toward stage right pillar)
Gertrude Dont worry, Ill do what you say. Now hide, I hear him coming.
Hamlet (draws a sword) What now? a rat? I bet its a dead rat now
hamlet finds PoloNius behind the pillar and stabs him with his sword.
Polonius OH!
PoloNius falls and dies, ending with his face away from hamlet.
Ghost Dont forget. Ive come to sharpen your somewhat dull appetite for revenge. But look,
your mother is in shock. Oh, keep her struggling soul from being overwhelmed by horrid
visions. The imagination works strongest in those with the weakest bodies. (points to
QueeN Gertrude) Talk to her, Hamlet.