Scene 2
(somewhere inside the castle)
Enter Hamlet and Horatio
Hamlet So much for this, sir. Now you shall see the other side to what’s going on here. I’ll tell you about the things to which I made reference in my letter. You do remember all the circumstances?
Horatio Remember them, my lord, I do!
Hamlet In my heart there was much unease and agitation; it would not let me sleep. I felt I was in a worse position than the shackled mutineers. Rashly - and praised be rashness for it; it should be pointed out that our indiscretion sometimes serves us well when our contrivances do not meet with the success we envisaged, and that should make us realise that there exists a Divine power that shapes our destiny, regardless of how we try to conduct our affairs -
Horatio That is most certain.
Hamlet I left my cabin, my sea-gown wrapped around me, groping my way through the dark to find where Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sleeping, intending to get my hands on the official document they were carrying. Eventually succeeding, I withdrew to my own room, having the audacity, my fears for my life overriding any consideration for the unlawful nature of my actions, to unseal their commission. It was the royal knavery I expected, the whole thing a treacherous, perfidious affair. The letter, I discovered, was an explicit, unambiguous command from the King, advancing all sorts of overstated and fictitious reasons concerning the security of both Denmark and England, that as soon as it had been read, without delay, without waiting even for the sharpening of the axe, my head should be cut off.
Horatio Is it possible?
Hamlet Here’s the commission, read it at your leisure. But will you now hear how I proceeded?
Horatio I beseech you, tell me.
Hamlet Being so entangled with this villainy and deceit, my mind having started to work even before I had a chance to properly consider what would be the most advisable course of action, I sat myself down, devised a new commission and wrote it out in very neat, official-looking script. I once thought, as our politicians do, that it was quite unnecessary to have really good handwriting, and had deliberately ignored and dismissed the skill, but sir, now it did me an invaluable service. Do you want to know what I wrote?
Horatio Ay, certainly, my lord.
Hamlet That this is an earnest plea from the King of Denmark; that, seeing as England was his faithful tributary, and in order that love between them, like the palm-tree, might flourish (biblical allusion: Psalms: 92: 13: The innocent man will flourish as the palm tree flourishes; he will grow to greatness as the cedars grow on Lebanon), that they remain firmly united in peace and friendship; and I continued with many such grand and elaborate, portentous ideas; having read and understood the contents of this official letter, he should, without deliberation, order the immediate execution of its bearers, not allowing them time even to confess their sins.
Horatio How was the letter sealed?
Hamlet Why, even in that the will of Heaven was in my favour. I had my father’s signet in my purse, which bears the Danish seal. I folded the letter I had written in the same way as the original document, then signed it, impressed the seal upon it and, returning to where I had obtained it, put it in place of the real commission, the exchange unbeknown to anyone. Now the next day was our sea-fight, the subsequent events you know already.
Horatio So Rosencrantz and Guildenstern go to their deaths.
Hamlet Why, man, they did eagerly and willingly accept this assignment. My conscience is untroubled by their fate; their defeat issues from their own interference in my affairs with the King. It is dangerous when lesser people meddle in the vicious, intense fighting of powerful opponents.
Horatio Why, what sort of a king is this!
Hamlet He has killed my father and made a whore of my mother, deprived me of the throne, stealing the election and denying me my wish to succeed my father, endeavoured to engineer my death, and with such conniving and subterfuge. Is it not with a guiltless conscience that I might kill him myself? Is it not now my obligation? Would it not make me worthy of condemnation were I to let this immoral, unprincipled figure live to perpetrate further evil?
Horatio Shortly he will receive news from England regarding the outcome of this business.
Hamlet Then I have the intervening time to act. A man’s life is no more than an effort to seek that one opportunity where he might make his mark, where he might achieve something of some consequence or value, where he might make a difference. But I deeply regret, Horatio, that my behaviour towards Laertes was most unbecoming and inexcusable. I simply forgot myself. In light of my own cause I can understand that he too must avenge his father’s death. I’ll court his favour. But certainly the bravado and the egotism that was his display of grief did rouse in me an intense, consuming rage.
Horatio Peace (used to tell someone to be quiet), who comes here?
Enter Osric, a courtier
Osric Your Lordship is most welcome back in Denmark.
Hamlet I humbly thank you sir. Do you know this water-fly (mosquito)?
Horatio No, my lord.
Hamlet Yours is the more desirable position, for it is a vice to know him. He has much fertile land. Provided a man has considerable wealth to elevate his social status above that of his fellow man, to whom he is otherwise in no way superior, he will be welcome at the King’s banquet. He is still a peasant, but, as I say, one who owns much land.
Osric Sweet lord, if your lordship is presently at leisure, I have a message I would impart to you from his Majesty.
Hamlet I will receive it, sir, and listen attentively to it. You may replace your hat
(customarily removed when greeting someone).
Osric I thank your lordship, it is very hot.
Hamlet No, believe me, it is very cold, the wind is northerly.
Osric It is rather cold, my lord, indeed.
Hamlet And yet I think it is very sultry and hot for my liking.
Osric Exceedingly, my lord, it is very sultry, as it happens. I cannot tell how. My lord, his Majesty bade me to convey to you that he has placed a substantial wager on your head. Sir, this is the matter…..
Hamlet (gesturing to him to put his hat back on) I beseech you remember (that etiquette dictates one should replace their hat once the greeting is over).
Osric No, thank you my lord, I am more comfortable without it, honestly. Sir, Laertes has recently arrived here; believe me, an absolute gentleman, most distinguished, of very pleasant manners and fine appearance. Indeed, if my true sentiments be known, he is a model gentleman; he is the card or calendar of gentry; for you shall find in him the totality of that which you would hope to see in a such an individual.
Hamlet Sir, your judgement of him is most favourable, though I am well aware that trying to list all of his qualities would stupefy the mind; it would prove too demanding a task to recall each of them. To be frank, I consider him to be a singular individual, imbued with such rare and exceptional virtues that, to speak truthfully of him, I would say that, apart from his reflection in the mirror, there is nobody who can match him, nor could anyone hope to follow in his footsteps, to accomplish what he has.
Osric Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
Hamlet Why is it that we are so concerned about him? What warrants our speaking of the gentleman in such raw (unreserved and direct) terms?
Osric Sir?
Horatio Are you not capable of understanding this sort of language? You must try harder sir, really.
Hamlet For what specific reason is this gentleman of interest to us?
Osric Laertes?
Horatio His purse is already empty, he’s expended all of his fine words.
Hamlet Him, sir.
Osric I know you are not ignorant…..
Hamlet I would hope you do, sir. Yet, in truth, whether you do or not, it is of no great concern to me. Well, sir?
Osric That you are not
ignorant of Laertes’ excellence…..
Hamlet I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; for to know a man well, one must know oneself.
Osric I mean, sir, with regard to his use of weaponry; though by the reckoning of those around him, he’s unequalled in all respects.
Hamlet What’s his weapon?
Osric Rapier and dagger.
Hamlet That’s two of his weapons. But never mind.
Osric The King, sir, has wagered with him six Barbary horses, against which Laertes himself has staked, as I understand it, six French rapiers and poniards (type of small dagger), with their accessories: girdle, hanger (scabbard or sheath, which is strapped to the girdle), and so forth. Three of the carriages, truly, are very desirable. They combine very attractively with the hilts and are most exquisite, beautifully crafted and elaborate in their design.
Hamlet What exactly do you mean by “carriages”?
Horatio I knew you would need some of his language explaining.
Osric The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
Hamlet The phrase would be more suitable if what you refer to as a ‘carriage’ enabled us to carry a cannon at our sides (since, in more conventional terms, a carriage is something upon which a cannon is mounted). Until it does, it would be more appropriate to call them ‘hangers’. But go on. Six Barbary horses against six French swords, their accessories, and three beautifully crafted, imaginatively named, carriages. That’s the French bet against the Danish. What are the specific terms of the wager?
Osric The King, sir, has bet, sir, that in a dozen bouts, Laertes shall not win more than three against you; he has bet on you winning nine of the twelve. And the match will take place immediately should your lordship accept the challenge.
Hamlet Sir, I will be going for a walk here in the hall. If it pleases his Majesty, I take my exercise at this time of day. In the meantime, let the swords be brought, if Laertes is still willing, and the King fulfil what he has committed himself to; I will win for him if I can; if not, I will incur nothing but the embarrassment of losing and the odd hit.
Osric Is this the reply you wish me to take back to the King?
Hamlet Yes, or words to that effect, sir, embellished with whatever fancy expressions you wish.
Osric I submit my services to your lordship.
Hamlet Very well.
Exit Osric
He impresses nobody but himself.
Horatio Look how the young fool runs away, with the hat on his head.
Hamlet He tries to seem cultured and sophisticated yet succeeds only in being irritatingly pretentious and self-satisfied, his character superficial. This results from the fact that, as with many people of a similar age and background whose nature and manner accord with the tone of these decadent times, he has only picked up these expressions, and learned to talk in this fashion, from the people with whom he associates, who use these phrases with some frequency. It’s creative but frivolous, meaningless jargon, lacking in intellectual substance, which supposedly will allow them to seem less out of place in the company of genuinely refined, highly educated men, where, in employing these fine words, it’s obvious they are devoid of independent thought.
Enter a Lord
Lord My lord, young Osric having conveyed to you the King’s message and reported back that you will attend him in the hall, his Majesty has sent me to enquire as to whether you still wish to compete against Laertes or you need more time to make up your mind.
Hamlet I shall fulfil that to which I have committed myself, the King’s pleasure is foremost. If Laertes is ready, so am I. He can challenge me now or whenever he wishes, provided I am as able to accommodate him as I am at present.
Lord The King and Queen are all coming down.
Hamlet I’m delighted to hear it.
Lord The Queen desires that you be considerate towards Laertes, that you perhaps offer some words of peace and reconciliation before you commence the match.
Hamlet She advises me well.
Exit Lord
Horatio You will lose, my lord.
Hamlet I do not think so. Since he went to France, I have been in continual practice. I shall win the necessary number of bouts. If only you knew how apprehensive I am about the whole thing; but it does not matter.
Horatio No, my lord.
Hamlet It is but foolishness. Nevertheless, I have such misgivings, such a sense of foreboding, that it would perhaps trouble even a woman.
Horatio If you have reservations about anything, do not ignore them. I will forestall their arrival and say that you are not ready.
Hamlet Absolutely not. We defy portents. It may serve us favourably that one cannot depart this life unless it is the will of God. If now is my time, then my death is unavoidable. If now is not my time; inevitably, it will still come. We must simply be ready (biblical allusion: Matthew: 24: 44: And you too must stand ready; the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him). Since this life makes no sense to any of us, what does it matter if we die early? Whatever my fate, let it be.
Enter King, Queen, Laertes, Osric, all of the Courtiers, and Attendants carrying
duelling swords and daggers
King Come, Hamlet, come and take this hand from me.
Puts Laertes’ hand into Hamlet’s
Hamlet Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong, but pardon it as you are a gentleman. Those present know, and you must have heard, how I am punished with a severe affliction of the mind and consequently given to highly irrational behaviour. What I have done to incur your wrath and condemnation, I hereby proclaim can be ascribed to madness. It was never the real Hamlet who wronged Laertes (this is a public apology). If I loose my sense of reason, my capacity to think and act rationally, and, when I am not myself, do wrong Laertes, then I do it not. I deny culpability. In fact, nobody is to be held accountable, for it is simply the result of my madness, in which case, I am the one who is wronged; by insanity. My madness is the enemy. Sir, before this audience, let my disclamation of premeditated evil intent against your father restore between us a sense of harmony and goodwill. I am aware that, having been without the capacities of forethought and sound judgement, I went too far, inflicting upon my brother (fellow man) quite unintended suffering.
Laertes As a son, my father’s murder should stir me to my revenge, but I am satisfied by the explanation you have offered in your defence, and for the sake of my honour and respectability will forbear vengeance, though I desire no reconcilement unless some highly respected and trusted senior court officials can pronounce that there exists a precedent for the restitution of peace between two parties under such circumstances that would leave my reputation undamaged. But until such time, I do acknowledge your offer of friendship and will bear you no ill will.
Hamlet I will fight honourably in this brother’s wager. Give us the foils.
Laertes Come, one for me.
Hamlet I’ll be your foil (in the sense of his being a character who contrasts with Laertes, thereby accentuating his qualities), Laertes. In comparison to my mediocre abilities your skill shall, like a star in the darkest night, shine with dazzling brilliance.
Laertes You mock me, sir.
Hamlet No, you are not mocked by me.
King Give them the swords, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet, you know the terms of the wager?
Hamlet Very well, my lord. Your grace has backed the weaker side.
King I do not believe so. I have seen you both; but since he is reputed to possess the superior skill, the terms under which you must win allow for you to lose the odd bout.
Laertes This is too heavy. Let me see another.
Hamlet This suits me well. These swords are all of a standard length?
Osric Yes, my good lord.
They prepare to duel
Enter Servants with flagons of wine
King Set me
the stoups of wine upon that table. If Hamlet should win the first or second bout, let all the battlements fire their ordnance: the King shall drink to Hamlet’s good health, and into the cup a precious gem shall he throw worth more than any of the jewels which four successive kings have worn in Denmark’s crown - give me the cups - and let the kettledrum to the trumpet speak (the idea that its sound is to convey a signal), the trumpet to the cannoneer without (outside), the cannons to the heavens, the heavens to Earth: ‘Now the King drinks to Hamlet’ (the elaborate toast he will make after Hamlet wins the first or second exchange, creating a pause in proceedings during which he can try to persuade Hamlet to drink from the poisoned cup). Come, begin. And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
Hamlet Come on, sir.
Laertes Come, my lord.
They duel
Hamlet One.
Laertes No.
Hamlet Judgement.
Osric A hit, a very palpable hit.
Laertes Well, again.
King Wait, give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is yours. Here’s to your health.
Drums and trumpets sound, followed by cannon fire outside
Give him the cup.
Hamlet I’ll fight this bout first (to King). Set it aside awhile. Come (to Laertes).
They duel again
Another hit. Was it not?
Laertes I do confess it.
King Our son shall win.
Queen He’s sweating and short of breath. Here, Hamlet, take my napkin; wipe your brow. The Queen drinks to your good fortune, Hamlet.
Hamlet Thank you, good madam.
King Gertrude, do not drink.
Queen I will, my lord, I pray you pardon me.
She drinks and offers the cup to Hamlet
King (aside) It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.
Hamlet I dare not drink yet, madam. I will in a while.
Queen Come, let me wipe your face.
Laertes My lord, I’ll hit him now.
King I doubt it.
Laertes And yet it is almost against my conscience (aside).
Hamlet Come, for the third, Laertes. You do but dally. I pray you attack with some determination. I fear you are not taking this too seriously.
Laertes You think so? Then, come on.
They duel
Osric Nothing either way.
Laertes I’ll have you now.
Laertes wounds Hamlet. A scuffle ensues, during which they loose possession of
their rapiers, which are then inadvertently exchanged
King Part them; they are incensed.
Hamlet No, come again.
He wounds Laertes. The Queen collapses
Osric Look, the Queen!
Horatio They’re both bleeding. Are you all right, my lord?
Osric Are you alright, Laertes?
Laertes Why, I have been foolishly ensnared by my own trap, Osric. I am justly killed by my own treachery.
Hamlet How is the Queen?
King She swoons at seeing them bleed.
Queen No, no, the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet! The drink! I am poisoned.
She dies
Hamlet O villainy! Let the door be locked. Find who is responsible for this treachery!
Exit Osric
Laertes Those responsible are before you, Hamlet. You have yourself been fatally wounded. No medicine in the world can save you. In you there is not half an hour’s life. The treacherous instrument is in your hand. Not only is the sword’s tip not blunted, it is envenomed. The foul practice has turned itself on me. I lie here never to rise again, knowing my death is at hand. Your mother has indeed been poisoned. I can be party to this no more. The King, the King’s to blame.
Hamlet So the point is envenomed. Then, venom, to thy work.
Wounds the King
All Treason! Treason!
King You must still defend me, loyal subjects. I am but injured.
Hamlet Here, you incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, drink of this potion. Follow my mother.
He forces the King to drink from the poisoned chalice. The King then dies
Laertes He is justly punished. It is a poison prepared by himself. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. You are not to be blamed for mine and my father’s death, nor am I to be blamed for yours.
He dies
Hamlet May Heaven absolve you of it. Shortly I will follow you. I am dead, Horatio. Wretched Queen, goodbye. You that look pale and shocked (addressing the court), horrified by these unexpected events, you are but an audience and play no role in these proceedings. If only I had more time - this cruel, merciless sergeant, Death (personifying death as an officer of the law), is strict in his arrest - O, there are things I could tell you, things I suddenly understand and foresee (when near death it was believed that one gained enlightenment and the ability to know the future); but let it be. Horatio, though I am dead, you live. It is up to you to report the facts of this affair. Explain my actions and my cause to the people.
Horatio Do not believe it (that he (Horatio) is going to live). I am more of an ancient Roman than a Dane (inclined to commit suicide). There is still some of the poisoned liquor left.
Hamlet As you are a noble man, give me the cup. Let go, by Heaven I’ll have it. O God, Horatio, what anguish you now face. A world which is ignorant of itself, I am about to leave behind me. If you did ever love me, absent yourself from eternal happiness a while longer, and endure this harsh world to tell my story.
Soldiers are heard marching from afar and cannon fire is heard outside
What warlike noise is this?
Enter Osric
Osric Young Fortinbras, who comes in conquest from Poland, to the ambassadors of England, gives this salute.
Hamlet O, I die, Horatio. The potent poison quite overwhelms my spirit. I will not live to hear the news from England, but I do prophesy that Fortinbras will be elected as the new King of Denmark. He has my dying vote. So tell him, and impart to him all that has happened here from which the current state of affairs has arisen and which has inspired me to favour his succession to the throne. The rest is silence.
Hamlet dies
Horatio Now breaks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince. May flights of angels sing you to your eternal rest.
The approach of marching soldiers becomes audible
Why are there soldiers heading here?
Enter Fortinbras and the English Ambassadors along with Soldiers from
Fortinbras’ army
Fortinbras Where is this sight (the bodies of the dead, four of the most prominent figures in Denmark), about which he has evidently just been informed)?
Horatio What is it you would see? If it is one of woe or horror that you seek, then you have found it.
Fortinbras Such people murdered like this cries havoc. O proud Death, what feast is being prepared in your eternal domain, that you have so many royal figures at once so bloodily struck down?
First Ambassador The sight is indeed horrific; and we come too late with our news from England. The King, to whom it was of concern, cannot now hear our report that his commandment has been fulfilled, that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. From where, then, are we to receive our thanks?
Horatio It would not be from the King’s mouth, had he the ability to thank you. He never issued any commandment for their death. But since, on the very occasion of this bloody episode, you from the Polish conflict and you from England have arrived here, you must see to it that these bodies are placed high on a stage, on display for all to see - this matter is to be dealt with as openly as possible - and let me announce to the as yet unknowing world how these things came about. So shall you hear of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts, of Divine punishment in what would seem to have been accidental, of casual slaughters, of deaths brought about through cunning and artifice,
and in this upshot, schemes realised with plans which were flawed and badly executed, destroying the very perpetrators themselves. All of this can I truthfully reveal.
Fortinbras Let us take care of business here so we can hear it promptly. We’ll call the nobility to the audience. As for me, it is with sorrow that I embrace my fortune. I have some rights here in Denmark, of which it would be wise for me to now take advantage.
Horatio Of those rights I shall also have cause to speak and will prevail upon others to support your election to the throne. But let us attend to the matter at hand and perform this public duty immediately, even while people are still distraught and shaken, in case some further misfortune should befall us, on top of all the plots and misdeeds of which our present circumstances are the consequence.
Fortinbras Let four captains bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage, for he was likely, had he been crowned king, to have proven most worthy; and as a mark of respect, the music and the rites granted a soldier fallen in battle shall be observed in all their glory for him. Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this becomes the battlefield, but here looks most amiss. Go, instruct the soldiers to fire the cannon.
The bodies are carried out, after which there is a peal of cannon fire
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