ACT I
Scene I
Bernardo relieves Francisco on battlements, late night. B hears footstep: “Who’s
there?”. Apprehensive guarding, F prepares to go.
Marcellus and Horatio come, urge Hor see apparition they have past two nights.
Hor sceptical, then Ghost appears, vanishes. Hor (afraid) acknowledges looks like
Old Hamlet, armour, same frown when fought against Poles. Hor thinks Gh must be
warning for Denmark. Says OH’s conquest of lands once Norway’s, Young
Fortinbras now wants reconquer.
Gh, & Hor tries to speak – “scholar”. Gh silent, disappears just as dawn. Hor
suggests tell Hamlet. Believes Gh would not refuse beloved son, if is really OH.
Scene II
Cl speech to court, explaining recent marriage. Says mourns brother but chose to
balance Denmark’s mourning with delight of marriage. Mentions YF written,
demanding surrender lands; message for the King of Norway, F’s uncle.
Laertes expresses to Cl desire to return France, where staying before return for
coronation. P gives permission, Claudius jovially also.
Cl asks H why “the clouds still hang” (2.2.66) upon him – black mourning clothes.
Gertrude urges cast off; replies bitterly inner sorrow so great appearance merely
poor mirror. Tone of fatherly advice – Cl: all fathers die, all sons must lose them.
Duty to mourn, too long unmanly & inappropriate. Think of him as father, reminds in
line.
Does not wish H to Wittenberg as asked. G echoes, wanting H close, H stiffly obeys.
Cl claims so pleased will celebrate with festivities & canons, old custom called “the
king’s rouse.” Ordering G to follow as leaves, court follows.
Alone, H exclaims wishes could die, evaporate & cease to exist. Wishes bitterly
suicide not sin. Laments death, hasty marriage to uncle. Remembers deeply in love
parents seemed, curses not yet two months after, married inferior brother.
Suddenly quiet as Hor strides in, followed by M & B. Hor was close friend of H in
Wittenberg, & H, happy to see, asks why in Denmark. Hor says see OH’s funeral; H
Scene I
Bernardo relieves Francisco on battlements, late night. B hears footstep: “Who’s
there?”. Apprehensive guarding, F prepares to go.
Marcellus and Horatio come, urge Hor see apparition they have past two nights.
Hor sceptical, then Ghost appears, vanishes. Hor (afraid) acknowledges looks like
Old Hamlet, armour, same frown when fought against Poles. Hor thinks Gh must be
warning for Denmark. Says OH’s conquest of lands once Norway’s, Young
Fortinbras now wants reconquer.
Gh, & Hor tries to speak – “scholar”. Gh silent, disappears just as dawn. Hor
suggests tell Hamlet. Believes Gh would not refuse beloved son, if is really OH.
Scene II
Cl speech to court, explaining recent marriage. Says mourns brother but chose to
balance Denmark’s mourning with delight of marriage. Mentions YF written,
demanding surrender lands; message for the King of Norway, F’s uncle.
Laertes expresses to Cl desire to return France, where staying before return for
coronation. P gives permission, Claudius jovially also.
Cl asks H why “the clouds still hang” (2.2.66) upon him – black mourning clothes.
Gertrude urges cast off; replies bitterly inner sorrow so great appearance merely
poor mirror. Tone of fatherly advice – Cl: all fathers die, all sons must lose them.
Duty to mourn, too long unmanly & inappropriate. Think of him as father, reminds in
line.
Does not wish H to Wittenberg as asked. G echoes, wanting H close, H stiffly obeys.
Cl claims so pleased will celebrate with festivities & canons, old custom called “the
king’s rouse.” Ordering G to follow as leaves, court follows.
Alone, H exclaims wishes could die, evaporate & cease to exist. Wishes bitterly
suicide not sin. Laments death, hasty marriage to uncle. Remembers deeply in love
parents seemed, curses not yet two months after, married inferior brother.
Suddenly quiet as Hor strides in, followed by M & B. Hor was close friend of H in
Wittenberg, & H, happy to see, asks why in Denmark. Hor says see OH’s funeral; H
