extracted_text:
retold by
Virginia
  Evans — Jenny Dooley — Bob Obee
Olga
  Afanasyeva — Irina Mikheeva

for Spotlight

                    Express Publishing PROSP U B L I S H E R SVESHCHENIYE
УАнл1ЙЧ?1й
(По У. Шекспиру)
Книго
1 7 класс
Пособие для учащихся общеобразовательных учрежден“
2-е издание
Москва
Expvvy,olishing
«Просвещение»
201
      удк    373.167.1:81
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41
Серия
«Английский в фокусе» основана в 2006 году.
Гамлет:
в пересказе О.В. Афанасьевой, Д. Дули, И.В. Михеевой, Б. Оби, В. Эванс Hamlet:
retold by Virginia Evans, Јеппу Dooley, ВоЬ 0bee, 0lga Afanasyeva, lrina
Mikheeva
Acknowledgements
Authors'
Acknowledgements
\Ne
would like to thank all the staf at Express Publishing who have contributed
their skills to producing this book. Thanks for their support and patience аге
due in particular to: Megan Lawton (Editor-in-Chief); Магу Swan and Sean Todd
(senior editors); Michael Sadler and Steve Miller (editorial assistants);
Richard White (senior production controller); the Express Publishing design
team; Warehouse (recording producers); and kevin Harris, kimber|y Baker, Steven
Gibbs and Christine Little. We would a1so like to thank those institutions and
teachers who piloted the manuscript, and whose comments and feedback were
invaluable in the production of the book.
Cobur
lllustrations: Stone, Chris. Music Compositions & Arrangement by Ted and
Taz.
While
every effort has Ьееп made to trace all Же copyright holders, if опу have Ьееп
inadvertently overlooked the publishers will Ье pleased to таКе the necessary
arrangements at Же first opportunity.
Шекспир
У.
ш
41 Гамлет : (по У. Шекспиру). Книга для чтения. 1 1 класс : пособие для
учащихся общеобразоват. учреждений/У. Шекспир; [пересказ О.В. Афанасьевой и
др.]. — 2-е изд. — М. : Express Publishing Просвещение,
201 1. — 70 с. : ил. — (Английский в фокусе). - БВГ\Ј 978-5-09-026172-2.
удк          373.167.1:811.111
ББК    81.2Англ-9З

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Contents
The Characters
1  The New 2 The Ghost       . p. 10 3
Mysterious Ways          .
p. 12
4 The
Plan. p. 14 5 . Broken Vows.. p. 16
The Play.. p. 18
7 Murder
In Cold Blood.. p. 20

8 Drastic Measures

  p. 22

9 Twists Of Fate

  p. 24

10 A Startling Revelation

  p. 26

11    The Funeral

  p. 28

12 The Duel

  p. 30

Activities

  p. 33

Topics For Further Discussion

  p. 43

Word List

  p. 45

Play

  p. 50

THE
AUTHOR
illiam
Shakespeare was born in Stratfordupon-Avon, England, on 23rd April, 1564. His
father, John akespeare, was a          successful tradesman, and his mother,
Mary Arden, a descendant of a prominent family. We do not know much about
Shakespeare's early life, but many people believe that he went to the King
Edward VI Grammar School in Stratford and studied Latin and English literature.
When he was 18, he married Anne Hathaway. They had three children: Susanna,
Hamnet and Judith.
Shakespeare later moved to London and
became an actor and a writer. He wrote many plays and poems between 1586 and
1616. His most famous plays include Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer
Night's Dream, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice and Othello. All of them involve
many different characters, each one of whom has a strong and interesting
personality. In his plays he portrayed a wide variety of emotions such as
greed, selfishness, revenge, kindness and love. Shakespeare's plays were very
popular when he was alive, and even more so today. Actors still perform his
works, and there are many films based on his plays. Shakespeare's writings have
influenced a large number of novelists and poets over the years, and his
language has, to a large extent, passed into everyday usage.
Shakespeare
died on 23rd April, 1616. He was 52 years old. Today, we remember him as one of
the greatest writers in history.
4
BACKGROUND
The Tragedy of
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays.
Shakespeare wrote it between 1600 and the summer of 1602.
Hamlet is performed more often than
any other Shakespearean play in almost every western country and it has been
translated into every major language. In the theatre, performing the full play
takes around 4 hours, and it is because of this that most theatre companies use
a shorter version of the play. Most actors find it very difficult to play the
part of Hamlet. Not only does the character have more than 1,400 lines, but he
is also a character with a very complicated and controversial personality. His
troubled mind is balanced by his clear judgment. His indecisive and hesitant
nature is balanced by his rash and impulsive acts.
Every actor has a different idea
about how Hamlet should be played, and everyone who reads or sees the play
perceives the character in a different way. Perhaps that is why there have been
22 films called Hamlet made for cinema and another 16 for television. Another
50 films have been based on the play. At least 26 operas have been written
based on Hamlet, and modern musicians have also used lines from the play in
their songs.
THE
PLOT
Prince Hamlet's father, King Hamlet of Denmark, dies
suddenly while Hamlet is away at university. The King's brother, Claudius,
takes the throne and marries Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, much to Hamlet's
dismay. King Hamlet returns to his castle as a ghost seeking revenge for his
death. The ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius murdered him when he was asleep,
and Hamlet promises to avenge his father's death. However, thoughtful by
nature, he delays taking action entering into a deep melancholy and even
apparent madness. Claudius asks two of Hamlet's old friends to come to the
castle and find out what troubles him, but Hamlet knows that his old friends
are Claudius' spies. When a group of actors comes to the castle, Hamlet asks
them to perform a special play. The play tells the story of a murder which
reminds Claudius of the way he killed his brother. His reaction is so strong
that it inevitably proves his guilt. In the end, Hamlet eventually takes action
in a situation that ends tragically for everyone.
2
KHHra wreHHH 11 WI. raM-ne-r.                                                                                5
THE CHARACTERS

HAMLET
Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark. He is in deep sorrow
because his father died recently and his mother has married his uncle,
Claudius.
Hamlet believes that Claudius murdered his father and he
wants to get revenge. He is a clever young man but he appears to be indecisive
and hesitant at times.
GERTRUDE
Gertrude is
Hamlet's mother and the Queen of Denmark. She was
married to King Hamlet but she later married his brother,
Claudius.
She loves her son deeply but she is a rather weak woman unable or unwilling to
face the truth.
POLONIUS
CLAUDIUS
Claudius is the new King of Denmark. He is Hamlet's
uncle and also stepfather. Claudius is an evil, calculating politician driven
by his desire for
power. However, he occasionally shows signs of human feeling.
THE GHOST

Polonius is
  the most important person in and Laertes. Polonius is com let:lyrûusted
  the King, to whom he •s loyal ven ervlle at times.
6

The ghost is Hamlet's father. He claims to have been
murdered by Claudius and asks Hamlet to avenge his death. It is not clear from
the beginning whether the ghost is what it appears to be or a devil sent to
tempt Hamlet into murder.
OPHELIA
Ophelia is Polonius' daughter.
She is a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. She is sweet
and innocent and always obeys her father and her brother, Laertes. Though she
is dependent on men, it is men's plots that eventually prove fatal for her.
HORATIO
Horatio is Hamlet's close friend from university. He
is very loyal throughout the play, supporting and helping his friend. He lives
to tell Hamlet's story.
FORTINBRAS
LAERTES
Laertes
is the son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia, whom he loves very much. He
spends most of his time in France but he returns to Denmark to fight Hamlet.
Passionate and quick to action, Laertes appears to be far more decisive than
reflective Hamlet.
ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN
Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern are two of Hamlet's old friends. They are invited to the
castle by Claudius to find out the cause of Hamlet's strange behaviour. Aware
of their true intentions, Hamlet treats them coldly before finally avenging
them.

Fortinbras is the Prince of
Norway. His father was killed in battle by Hamlet's father, and the two
countries were enemies. Claudius makes peace with Fortinbras, who pays a
special tribute to Hamlet at the end of the play.
             o   3110           o
In a big room in
Elsinore Castle, Claudius, the new King of Denmark, was giving a speech to the
court. "We are all sad that our beloved King is dead," he said.
"He was my brother, and I loved him dearly. However, by marrying our
beautiful Queen I have balanced sorrow and joy. Let us not forget that Prince
Fortinbras of Norway threatens to attack Denmark," Claudius continued.
"Therefore, I have asked his uncle, the present King of Norway, to stop
his nephew's plans. " At this moment, Laertes walked up to the King and
bowed.
"And now, Laertes, son of good Polonius," said
Claudius, "what is it that you want?"
"My lord, I wish to have your permission to return to
France," replied Laertes. "l came back to
Denmark to see you crowned King, but now I wish to go back
again. "
"He has my permission. Please let him go, my
lord," said Polonius.
"Then I too give you permission, Laertes, to return to
France. "
Hamlet, the young Prince of Denmark, watched King Claudius
and Queen Gertrude silently.
"Hamlet!" cried Claudius. "Why
are you still mourning?" He beckoned Hamlet to come closer, and the Prince
walked slowly up to the King and Queen.
"Good
Hamlet," said his mother the Queen, "don't be so depressed and feel
sad for your noble father forever. You know that all living creatures die one
day and pass to eternity. " "Yes, Mother, I am aware of this,"
said Hamlet.
"So why, then, do you still seem
so sad?" Gertrude asked her son. "l do not seem sad, Madam, I am
sad," replied Hamlet.
"Every son
loses a father," Claudius said, "but to go on mourning is
stubbornness. Please, stop feeling sad. Try to think of me as a father and you
as a successor to the throne. Stay with us and do not go back to your studies
in Wittenberg. "
"Yes, dear Hamlet, stay with us," Gertrude echoed
the King's words.
"Very well, Mother, if you wish it," said
Hamlet.
The court rose, and he was left alone, deeply frustrated.
"O God! If only I could stop
existing! How meaningless the whole world seems to me! How could she come to
this? My father, not even two months dead, so excellent a king, so loving to my
mother, and she has married again. A beast would have mourned longer. And
married to my uncle! How weak women are!"
At that moment, Hamlet's friend, Horatio, and two guards
entered the room.
"My good friend!" exclaimed Hamlet.
"My lord Hamlet, I bring some news for you. I think I
saw your father last night. "
Hamlet was quite astonished, but
Horatio assured him that he and the guards had seen a figure like the King on
the battlements of Elsinore Castle. It was wearing armour and stood silent.
"l will watch tonight. Perhaps it will walk
again," said Hamlet convinced.
When Horatio and the guards went, he was left to his
thoughts.
"My father's
spirit wearing armour! I have a feeling he may haye been murdered. I must be
patient until the night comes. Then all evil things will berevealed. "

02.
Just before midnight, Hamlet, Horatio and
a guard met on the battlements despite the harsh cold. In the distance they
could heartrumpets and shots.
"How shameful! The King is celebrating and getting
drunk," said Hamlet in disgust.
At that, Horatio grabbed his arm. "Look, my lord, it
is coming," he whispered.
The ghost came around a corner of the battlements, and
Hamlet gasped.
"Speak to me!" begged the
Prince. "Do not remain silent. Why is it that you, a dead corpse, appear
among the living?"
"It beckons you to
go with it," whispered Horatio. "Maybe it wishes to speak to you
aloneaDo not go, my lord. What if it tempts you toward the sea, or to the
summit of the cliffs? Think of it. It might be dangerous. "
"My life is
meaningless to me. Look, it beckons me again. I shall follow it," sai
t!amlet firmly and he followed the ghostly apparition around the corner of the
battlements.
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, "
murmured the guard.
"Listen carefully," said
the ghost. "l am your father's spirit, at night and burning in fires
during the day till my sins are forgiven. You must avengemy evil and unnatural
murder. " "Murder?" gasped Hamlet in astonishment.
"Rumour has
been spread that I was bitten by a erpent vme I was sleeping in my
orchard," said the ghost grimly, "but the serpent that bit m now
wears my crown. " "My uncle! I was right!" cried Hamlet.
"Yes. That beast poured poison into
my ears sending me to death. My own brother took my life, my crown and my
queen. But, Hamlet, please do not act against your mother. Deep down she is
aware of her fault, so leave her to her own conscience," said the ghost.
"Heaven will deal with her.
Adieu, Hamlet. Remember me. "
With that, the ghost disappeared from the battlements
leaving Hamlet extremely upset.
"l will remember you, poor ghost,
and take revenge. My confused mind will only keep your memory. O most evil
woman, most villainous man!"
Then Horatio and the guard approached Hamlet, worried about
his contact with the ghost.
"Lord Hamlet, let us know what happened," said
Horatio breathlessly.
"No, you will reveal it. "
"Not l, my lord. I swear by heaven I won't,"
promised Horatio.
"Nor l, my lord," the guard assured the Prince.
"There's a villain living in Denmark," said
Hamlet.
"No ghost is necessary to tell us this, my lord,"
said Horatio.
"Then, without
further words, I think we must shake hands and part. I'll go now, and you, good
friends, swear never to speak of what you have seen. Also swear that you know
nothing about my state of mind, because I may pretend to be a madman for a
while."
As the three men took an oath upon
Hamlet's sword, the ghost's voice echoed three times from beneath the ground,
crying out "Swear, swear, swear!"
o g. ululggtotto ug QUagg o
Laertes had taken his father's and the
King's permission and was ready to leave for France. Before he left, he visited
his sister Ophelia to say goodbye and give her some advice.
"Farewell, sweet
Ophelia, and remember that Hamlet's love for you is not lasting. Perhaps he
loves you now but you must not forget that he is a prince, and princes cannot
always choose who they are going to marry. Therefore, hold back your feelings.
"
Ophelia reluctantly agreed
and just then their father Polonius appeared. He gave his blessing and advice
to his son and, after Laertes had left, he turned to his daughter. "Do not
believe Hamlet's vows," he said echoing Laertes' words. "They can't
be true. " "l shall obey my lord," Ophelia assured him.
Some days later, however, she ran into her father's room
looking very frightened.
"What is it?" asked Polonius alarmed.
"My lord, as I was sewing in my
chamber, lord Hamlet came to me with a madman's look as if he had escaped
hell."
"Mad for your love?" asked Polonius.
"l do not know, my lord, but I fear
so. He took me by the wrist and held me hard and stared and sighed. I have not
spoken badly to him lately. I only sent his letters back and did not accept his
visits, as you advised me," replied Ophelia.
"That has made him mad!"
exclaimed Polonius. "l am sorry that I had not realised this earlier.
Come, let us go to the King. He must know about this."
King Claudius was sitting together with
Queen Gertrude in a room in Elsinore Castle. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two
of Hamlet's old friends, had been invited to the castle as the King and Queen
wished to talk to them.
"Welcome, dear
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern," said Claudius. "The reason why we have
called you here today is that we need your help. You must have heard of
Hamlet's strange behaviour. I cannot say what has caused it, other than his
father's death. I ask you both, as you grew up together, to find out what is
troubling him. "
"l am sure there are no other men to whom he is as
close," added Gertrude.
"We both obey to do as your
majesties wish," said Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and they went off in
search of Hamlet while Polonius entered with two attendants.
For a short while the King felt relieved,
as he received good news about the situation with Norway. Prince Fortinbras'
plans to invade Denmark had been prevented by his uncle the King.
"My lord, your noble son is
mad," Polonius immediately turned to the subject of Hamlet. "My
daughter told me of his love for her, and l, a faithful and honourable man,
gave her advice to receive nothing from him. Ophelia followed my advice, and he
became mad."
As soon as Polonius spoke these words,
Hamlet appeared. The way he spoke revealed he was not well; he even pretended
he didn't know Polonius! Some of his speech, however, was so witty that
Polonius began to doubt his madness. He soon left him intending, though, to
arrange a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia to find out the true cause of his
strange behaviour.
3 KHHra wreHH51 1 1 WI. raM-neT.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern lost no time
in looking for Hamlet, whom they found alone in the castle. The Prince seemed
very pleased to see them.
"My excellent good friends, how are
you both?" he greeted them. "What brings you to the prison of
Elsinore?"
"Prison, my lord?" asked Guildenstern.
"Denmark's a prison," replied Hamlet.
"Then the whole world is a prison," said
Rosencrantz, puzzled.
A huge one, with many dungeons, of which Denmark is the
worst," retorted Hamlet.
e do ot think so, my lord," said Rosencrantz.
"To me it isa prison, " insisted Hamlet.
"But tell me, what are you doing in Elsinore?" "We came to Visit
you, my lord, no other reason," said Rosencrantz.
"Were you not sent for? Is it your
own decision? Is it a free visit? Come, be honest with me," said
Hamletv"l know the-good King and Queen have sent you. " "For
what purposåmytord?" asked Rosencrantz.
       "You must
tell me thavt(Åe         whether you were sent for or
not," demanded Hamlet.
"Yes, my lord, we were seng for ' admitted
Guildenstern.
"l will tell you why," said
Hamle J" ave lately been depressed, lost all my joy, and the whole world
seems meaningless to me. Al that •s wonderful to others, is useless to me. You
were sent here to find the reason for my grief."
Quickly changing the subject of
discussion, the two friends went on to inform Hamlet about a group of actors
travelling towards the castle. Hamlet was particularly delighted. At that
moment, trumpets were heard and Polonius announced the actors.
"You are
welcome," said Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, "but my
uncle-father and mother are deceived. I am sometimes mad, not always, "
and he turned to the actors.
"You're all welcome,
masters. I am glad to see you well. Come, give us a taste of your work. Come,
act out a speech," the Prince urged one of the players.
The actor acted out a speech, which
Hamlet was very impressed with. Later, while the players were led to the guest
rooms by Polonius, they paused to listen to Hamlet's request. "Can you
play The Murder of Gonzago tomorrow night?" "Yes, my lord," they
replied.
"Could you study a speech of some lines which I
will add to the play?" "Yes, my lord," the actors said again and
parted.
Left alone, Hamlet could not help blaming himself.
"O how unworthy I am!
This player here could act so passionately, even with tears in his eyes. And
all for nothing! For the play. What would he do if he had the motive that I
have? Yet, I do nothing. Am I a coward? I shall take revenge! Murder will
reveal itself tomorrow night. I'll have these players play something like my
father's murder for my uncle to see. I'll observe the King's reaction and find
out if he is guilty as the ghost said. "
    e
5.                   Q)owg o
The next day Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appeared to the
King and Queen.
"Did you find out the cause of Hamlet's strange
behaviour?" asked Claudius.
"He does confess he is not himself,
my lord, but he does not reveal the reason," replied Rosencrantz.
"Yet, he felt a kind of joy when he heard of actors performing at the
court tonight." "And he asked me to invite your majesties to hear and
see the play," added Polonius.
"With all my heart," said the King. "l am
glad to hear he is in a good mood."
When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern had
left the room, the King requested the Queen to also exit so that Polonius' plan
of spying on Hamlet could be put into practice.
"l have sent for
Hamlet. Polonius and I will hide while Ophelia meets Hamlet as if by accident.
This way we will judge by his behaviour if he suffers because of his love for
her," said Claudius.
"l do wish that your beauty is the
cause of Hamlet's madness," said Gertrude to Ophelia as she was leaving,
"and hope you can set his mind right again."
The Queen left, and the others took their
positions behind the wall hanging. Not a minute too soon, for then Hamlet
appeared with a moody look on his face.
"To be, or not to be;" he
wondered, "that is the question: whether it is better to suffer the
difficulties of life or to die, to sleep and end the torture. Is it the fear of
something after death, something unknown, that makes us live and bear our
suffering?"
Deeply troubled with these thoughts, he
caught sight of Ophelia, who looked up from her book and met Hamlet's eyes.
"How are you, my lord?" she asked.
"l am well, thank you," replied Hamlet.
"My lord," Ophelia went
on, "l have gifts of yours that I wish to return." "No, no, I
never gave you anything," said Hamlet.
"My honoured lord,
you know right well you did, and with most sweet words, " contradicted
Ophelia. "l did love you once, but you should not have believed me,"
sneered Hamlet. "l never loved you. And if you wish to marry," he
went on, almost raving, "marry a fool. Because you women take advantage of
wise men. Go become a nun, and quickly! I know of your tricks, too. God gives
you a face, and you paint it and change it. So no more marriages! To a nunnery,
go!" With that, Hamlet stormed out of the room leaving Ophelia devastated.
"His noble mind is damaged! He is overcome by madness.
O Heaven help him!" cried Ophelia.
"To see what I have seen!"
At this, the King and Polonius came out of their hiding
place puzzled.
"Love?" Claudius said.
"No, this is not what troubles him. Nor did he seem quite mad. There's
something in his soul causing this melancholy that is dangerous. Let us send
him off to England for a while and see if different sights or interests will
help his troubles. "
"But yet I still believe this deep
sorrow is the result of his love for my daughter. My lord, let his Queen mother
speak to him alone and if she cannot explain his madness, then send him to
England," agreed Polonius.
'les
0 6. 3110 cPQag o
Later on that day there was general
excitement in the castle, as the actors were preparing for The Murder of
Gonzago. After advising them on how to perform, Hamlet had a private
conversation with Horatio.
"Horatio, you are an
honest man, and do not think I'm trying to flatter you by this. There is a play
tonight for the King. One scene of it is like my father's death, which I have
told you about. Please, when you see this scene, observe my uncle. If he does
not show his hidden guilt, the ghost that we have seen deceived us. Watch
carefully, I trust your judgment. "
At the sound of trumpets and drums,
everyone took their seats and the play began. As it progressed, the audience
witnessed the scene where the murderer poured poison into the ear of his
brother, the King, while he was sleeping in his orchard. At that, Claudius
jumped to his feet.
"Give me some light!" he yelled and rushed out of
the room. Everyone hurried after him in panic wondering what was wrong, leaving
Horatio and Hamlet alone to judge the King's reaction. "Did you see?"
cried Hamlet excitedly. "I'll take the ghost's word to be true. "
"l saw it very well too, my lord. The ghost was right, " agreed
Horatio.
At that moment Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern entered to inform Hamlet that Claudius was very disturbed and that
hi9 mother, terribly upset, wished to speak to him in private. Seeing that his
two former friends were spying on him, Hamlet seemed cold and distant. When he
was left alone, and thought again of Claudius' reaction, he became anxious to
take revenge for his father's death. "Now I could drink hot blood and do
terrible things, " he said decisively.
When they met the King, Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern were amazed to see Claudius' nervousness and anger.
"l do not like him, nor is it safe
for us to tolerate his madness. Therefore, prepare yourselves. You will escort
him to England," commanded the King.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern bowed and
left when Polonius entered and told the King that Hamlet was about to visit the
Queen.
"I'm sure she will be
strict with him, my lord. I'll hide myself behind the wall hanging and listen
to their speech. I will inform you about it before you go to bed." When he
was left alone, Claudius was tortured by remorse.
"What I have
done!" he groaned. "l have committed the worst of crimes, the oldest
of sins. A brother's murder. And yet, though I may be forgiven for my sin by
praying, this is not possible. What prayer can forgive me? I am still King of
Denmark. I still have the possessions of my crime: my crown, my ambition and my
queen. These are the proof of my guilt. "
As he was kneeling down, a dark figure
crept behind him. Claudius did not see Hamlet, who was hovering in the shadows.
"Now I'll do it,
now, while he's praying," he thought, drawing his sword but he immediately
had second thoughts. "If I kill him while he's praying and asking for
forgiveness, I will send him to heaven. This is not revenge! When he is drunk
or in a rage or doing something bad, this is when I'll strike so that his soul
goes straight to hell!"
 0 7.     On Cold OQood o
Polonius hurried off to the Queen's chamber.
"Hamlet will come here immediately, my lady. Be strict
with him and tell him you can no longer tolerate his behaviour," he urged
the Queen. "I'll hide myself behind this hanging here." No sooner had
Polonius hidden himself than Hamlet appeared.
"Now, Mother, what's the matter?" he said.
"Hamlet, you have offended your father greatly,
" said Gertrude.
"Mother," snapped Hamlet, "you have
offende&my-father greatly. " "You are very thoughtless,"
said Queen Gertryde angrily.
"You are very sinful," Hamlet answered t&ck.
"What is this, Hamlet? Have vo forgot(en who I
am?" asked Gertrude.
"By no means, my lady. You arethe
Queen, your husband's brother's wife and — I wish you were not so — you are
also my rpöthef,' replied Hamlet.
"l cannot tolerate this rudeness," said the Queen
impatiently.
"Come, come and sit down. I'll show you who you really
are," Hamlet went on in a rage.
Gertr de was\so terrified by the anger in
Hamlet's voice that she was afraid he was going to kill her and s reaTyed. This
made Polonius cry out from behind the wall hanging.
"What is that? A rat?" said
Hamlet and in an instant thrust his sword through the hanging and ille Polonius
mistaking him for the King.
'What have you done?" cried Gertrude. "What a
terrible thing this is!" she exclaimed.
"Almost as terrible, Stepmother, as murdering a king
and marrying his brother. "
"As murdering a king?" echoed Gertrude.
"What have I done to deserve such rudeness?"
"Look here upon this picture, and on
this. This was your husband. Here is your husband, so inferior. What in the
world blinded you to marry him? And you feel no shame!"
"Hamlet, speak no more!" cried
the Queen. "You've made me see into my soul and I can't bear it! Your
words are like knives in my ears."
"To live with a murderer and villain who stole the
crown he wears," Hamlet went on.
"Speak to me no more!" begged Gertrude.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before them. It was the ghost.
"What is it that you want, gracious
figure? Have you come because I haven't yet done what you asked? O say!"
cried Hamlet.
"Do not
forget," said the ghost. "This visit is to remind you of your purpose.
But look how shocked your mother looks. Speak to her, Hamlet. "
"It is my father I
am speaking to, Mother. Look where he leaves the room. This is not
madness," said Hamlet to the Queen, who thought that he was mad talking to
himself. "I'm not mad but cunning. " Devastated, Gertrude promised
not to reveal a word.
"l must go to England now with my two
schoolfellows, whom I trust as I trust poisonous snakes. For they are setting a
trap for me," said Hamlet, "but they will fall into it." With
this, he left his mother's room dragging Polonius' body behind him.
4 KHMraa-nq HTeHHS1 1 1 WI. raMJ1e•r.
e g. Ottagttc
ul(eagutteg o
Queen Gertrude's worry was not unnoticed by the King later
that night.
"What are all these sighs? Where is your son?"
he asked her.
"Ah, my good lord,
what I have seen tonight!" cried Gertrude. "Hamlet is mad, and in his
madness he killed good Polonius, who was hidden behind the wall hanging. "
"He did such a
thing!" cried Claudius. "If I had hidden there instead of him, I
would be dead now! His liberty is full of threats to us all. Alas, how shall we
explain this to everyone at court? He must be sent away to England immediately.
"
Under the King's command,
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern went off to find Polonius' body and bring it into the
chapel. But Hamlet was not clear about the body's whereabouts.
"The body is with the King, but the
King is not with the body," said Hamlet to surprised Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern.
Thus, they brought him to King Claudius
but Hamlet went on talking confusingly to him as well. It was after some time
that he revealed Polonius' body was somewhere in the castle.
"Hamlet, because of what you did and
for your own safety, we must send you to England," Claudius told him,
taking advantage of Polonius' death to justify Hamlet's immediate departure.
"Therefore prepare yourself now. Everything is ready for
England. "
"For England. Good. Farewell, dear Mother,"
Hamlet said to Gertrude ignoring Claudius.
"Follow him at
once," the King commanded Guildenstern. "Make sure he boards the
ship. Do not delay, for everything is sealed in this letter. Away!"
Alone with his thoughts, Claudius hoped the King of England
would act as he had written to him.
"King of England, please honour our
mutual loyalty and fulfil my command which signifies the immediate death of
Hamlet. Do it, for he is like a fever in my blood and you must help cure
me."
Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were
on their way to board the ship to England when they met a large group of
soldiers marching over the fields.
"Good sir, whose forces are these?" Hamlet asked
their captain.
"They are of Norway,
sir," he replied. "We are on our way to attack Poland under the
command of young Fortinbras of Norway. We have asked permission to pass through
your country. "
"Is it against the heart of Poland that you aim to
attack or near the frontier?" asked Hamlet.
"To be honest, we are fighting for a
little piece of land," replied the captain, "that is worthless both
to Poland and to us."
"Two thousand souls fighting over something
insignificant. I thank you, sir, " said Hamlet.
"God be with you, sir, " said the captain in
return and marched on with his troops.
At Hamlet's request, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
moved a bit ahead leaving him to his thoughts. Once again his lack of courage
troubled him.
"How everything urges me to take revenge! Look how this
army, led by a delicate young prince, ignores danger and takes action. How can
l, that have a murdered father and a dishonoured mother, stand silent while I
see twenty thousand men prepared to die for a tiny piece of land? I should feel
ashamed. From this moment I promise I'll have the courage to take
revenge!"
On Horatio's advice, the Queen met Ophelia, who behaved in
a strange way.
"He is dead and gone, lady. White as
the mountain snow," Ophelia babbled. "They say the owl was a baker's
daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but don't know what we may be."
"This is the result
of deep sorrow!" exclaimed Claudius. "First, her father dead and
secretly buried; next, Hamlet gone. And the common people are whispering to
each other. "
At that moment Laertes, who had secretly
returned from France, burst into the room raging at Claudius and swearing
revenge. Outside, a group of people shouted "Laertes shall be King!"
"You evil King, give me my father!" shouted Laertes.
"l am not guilty of your father's death but truly sad
for it," said Claudius trying to calm him. They were interrupted by a
noise at the door as Ophelia reentered and started babbling again.
"O rose of May, sweet Ophelia!" cried Laertes in
despair.
Just then, in another part of the castle, Horatio received
a letter from Hamlet. It read:
My dear Horatio,
Take the sailors to the King as they have letters for him, too.
They will bring you where I am. Our ship was taken by pirates but I
managed to escape. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are on their way to England. Of
them I have much news to tell you.
Hamlet
Horatio lost no time in acting as Hamlet had asked. Meanwhile, Claudius
and Laertes were continuing their conversation in another room of the castle.
t-t\t;.
"He who killed
your noble father, Laertes, wanted my own life," said Claudius. "But
the Queen, his mother, and the people love him dearly," he explained,
"therefore punishing him would make them upset. I cannot fight their great
love for him."
At that moment a messenger with
letters entered, and Claudius was informed about Hamlet's return to Denmark.
Although he was surprised at first, he finally thought this a good opportunity
for Laertes to take his revenge.
"Remember how
jealous Hamlet was of you once for being a better swordsman than him,"
said Claudius. "Challenge him to a duel where you will choose a sharpened
sword and he a blunted one." "And to be sure, I will poison my
sword," said Laertes, agreeing with the King's idea, "so that, even
with a slight scratch, Hamlet will not escape death!"
"And even if
he escapes your poisonous hit," added Claudius wickedly, "when he
feels hot and dry and asks for drink, I will have prepared him a poisoned
one."
Their evil plans were interrupted by the Queen, who
came running in. "One tragedy follows another so fast. Your sister has
drowned, Laertes. " "Drowned? Where?" said Laertes horrified.
"There is a
willow tree by the river where Ophelia climbed to hang her flower garlands when
a branch broke, and she fell down into the river. Her clothes, heavy with water,
pulled the poor girl from her melodious song to death. "
At this tragic news, Laertes burst out of the room in a
rage.
   0
(O.     gtattQtng CPeveQattott o
On their way to the
castle, Hamlet and Horatio came across two peasants carrying a spade and a pickaxe.
They were digging a grave and having a lively conversation.
"Is she to be given
a proper burial? How can that be since she drowned herself? It must have been
self-defence, it cannot be anything else, " said the first gravedigger.
"Will you hear the truth about it? If
she had not been someone important, she would not be given a proper
burial," said the second one.
"Come, my spade. Go and fetch me something to drink
for I am thirsty, " the first responded.
As he was left alone singing merrily, he
was heard by Hamlet and Horatio at a distance. Hamlet was surprised at the
peasant's lightheartedness and was even shocked to see him throw up two skulls,
one after the other.
"That skull once could speak.
Was this person so unimportant that their head can be thrown about like this
now?" he wondered and, drawing near, he turned to address the digger.
"Whose grave is this, sir?"
"Mine, sir. I am not lying in it, and yet it is
mine," replied the man.
"This is for the dead so you are lying," Hamlet
retorted as cleverly. "What man are you digging
"For no man or woman either. For one that was a woman
but, rest her soul, she's now dead. "
"How cleverly he uses words!"
Hamlet thought impressed. "Tell me, how long have you been a grave
maker?" he asked.
"Since the day that
our last King Hamlet won Fortinbras. The very day that young Hamlet was born —
he that was mad and sent to England. Here's a skull now. It has lain in the
earth for twentythree years," said the gravedigger, holding it up.
"Whose was it?" asked Hamlet.
"Yorick's. He was the King's jester," replied the
second gravedigger, who had just come back.
"Hamlet took the skull into his hands and held it up.
"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him,
Horatio. He carried me on his back a thousand times; and now, how horrible!
Here hung his lips. Where are your songs, your jokes and tricks now?" said
Hamlet appalled and threw the skull down. "We will all follow him sooner
or later. Even great men die, are buried and turn into dust. Of dust we are
made and to dust we return!" Hamlet reasoned.
At that moment a funeral procession entered the graveyard.
"Here comes the
King, Queen and courtiers," said Hamlet. "Who is it they are burying?
Let us hide back here a while and watch. "
"Since her death
might be suicide, the most we can do for her is pray, " said the priest.
"Stones should be thrown on her instead. No more can be done. It would be
unholy for the dead," he declared. "She must be buried with no delay.
"
"Lay her in the earth, and from her
pure flesh may violets spring. I tell you, priest, my sister will be an angel
while you rot in hell!" said Laertes in a rage. "What, fair
Ophelia!" gasped Hamlet in astonishment.
    o
(l. 3110                       o
Queen Gertrude mournfully scattered flowers on Ophelia's
coffin.
"Farewell. I had hoped you would be
my Hamlet's wife. I should have scattered flowers on your bride-bed, dear maid,
and not on your grave," wept the Queen.
Laertes, equally devastated, could not accept the fact
that his sister had died so unjustly.
"Cursed be the one
who did this to you!" he cried staring at her lifeless body and moved
forwards. "Wait a while, till I have held her once more in my arms."
At this, Hamlet, sorrowful and
outraged, moved forwards too and swore his own love for Ophelia.
"The devil take your soul," cursed Laertes
closing his fingers around Hamlet's throat.
"Take your fingers
from my throat, for though I am not quick to action, yet I have something
dangerous in me. Away your hand!" Hamlet warned him and went on in a fury.
"l loved Ophelia as forty thousand brothers together could not have done.
Show me what you would do for her," he challenged Laertes. "Would you
weep, would you fight, would you tear yourself, eat a crocodile? I would do it.
Be buried alive with her and so will l. "
Claudius, thinking Hamlet was having
another of his fits and could be dangerous, urged the courtiers to part the two
men.
"This is madness! Pull them apart," shouted the
King.
After Hamlet and Horatio had left the graveyard, the King
turned to Laertes.
"Remember our plan and be patient. We will soon
arrange what we have discussed. And you,
Gertrude," he now turned to the Queen, "keep an eye
on your son. "
Hamlet and Horatio returned to the
castle, where they had a serious conversation. "Do you remember the
situation before I came back?" Hamlet asked his loyal friend.
"Remember it, my lord!" replied Horatio.
"While we were
sailing, there was something in my heart that would not let me sleep. In the
dark, I stole Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's bag and returned to my room to
unseal their letter from the King; where I found, Horatio, — O wicked King! —
an exact command to the King of England that my head should be cut off. "
"Is it possible?" Horatio asked in astonishment.
"Here's the letter. You can read it later. But will
you hear what I did next?" Hamlet went on.
"Most certainly, my lord, " said Horatio eager
to listen.
"l devised a new
letter, signed and sealed it. I had my father's royal seal in my pocket. The
exchange was never known. And will you hear what I wrote? That the King of
England should put the messengers to sudden death. "
"So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz will die instead of
you, " said Horatio.
"My conscience is clear. For their
death is the result of their wickedness," said Hamlet in anger. "What
a king this is!" exclaimed Horatio appalled.
"He will soon know
how things are in England. I am only sorry, good Horatio, that I have been so
violent to Laertes. For like him, I want to avenge my father's death, and his
determination has strengthened me."
5 KHMraAJIB 'ITeHHS1 1 1 WI. rawneT.
0 (2. 3110 CDueQ o
While Hamlet and Horatio were talking, a messenger
arrived.
"Sweet lord, I bring news from His
Majesty. He told me to inform you that he has laid a bet on you. You are
challenged to a duel by Laertes, whose excellence at sword fighting you are
aware of. The King, sir, has bet that Laertes is not superior to you."
"Sir, I will walk here in the hall. I
will win for the King if I can. If not, I'll gain nothing but my shame,"
said Hamlet and turned to Horatio.
"It seems foolish, yet I have a fear in me."

"Then don't go, my lord. I'll tell everyone you are not well,"
said Horatio.
"One must be ready for death. If it does not come now,
yet it will come," said Hamlet decisively. When everyone had walked into
the hall, Claudius urged Hamlet to shake hands with Laertes.
"Forgive me, sir.
I've wronged you. Yet, I admit that it wasn't Hamlet who wronged you, but his
madness, " said Hamlet to Laertes, who accepted his offer of apology but
couldn't forgive him so easily.
With no delay, the duel began after
Laertes had carefully chosen the sharpened, poisoned sword. Hamlet scored the
first hit but refused to drink from the cup the King offered him. It was
Gertrude who picked up the cup, instead, to drink to her son's success when he
scored a second hit.
"Gertrude, do not drink," said Claudius, but he
was too late to stop the Queen.
Meanwhile, Laertes had managed to hit
Hamlet with the poisoned sword. However, while fighting the two rivals
exchanged swords, and this time it was Hamlet who wounded Laertes with the
poisoned one. At that moment the Queen fell down.
"She fainted when seeing them bleed,
" said Claudius hastily trying to cover up what he had done.
"No, no, the drink, the drink! My dear Hamlet, I am
poisoned," said the Queen breathlessly.
"This is a villain's work!" cried Hamlet.
"Lock the door! Find out the guilty one."
"He is here, Hamlet.
You are dying. The murderous instrument is in your hand, sharpened and
poisoned. I am justly killed with my own wickedness. Your mother has been
poisoned. The King is to blame," admitted Laertes.
At these words, Hamlet, enraged, plunged
the poisoned sword into Claudius and forced the poisoned wine into his mouth.
"Here, you evil, murderous Dane. Follow my mother," he cried.
Immediately after, Hamlet exchanged
forgiveness with Laertes. His dying words addressed to Horatio, who was looking
at the drops of the poisoned wine wishing to die with his lord.
"Horatio, if you ever considered me a
dear friend, stay alive to tell my story," pleaded Hamlet stopping him. At
that moment a servant announced the arrival of Prince Fortinbras of Norway and
some English ambassadors. Hamlet again spoke to Horatio.
"I'm dying, Horatio! I cannot live
to hear the news but I do give Fortinbras my dying vote for King. Tell him all
that has happened. O!" he gasped and passed away.
After Rosencrantz's and Guildenstern's
death was announced, Fortinbras was the last to speak. "Let four captains
carry Hamlet like a soldier, for he would have been a worthy King. Let the
soldiers' music play loudly for him. Take up the body. Go order the soldiers to
shoot and give Hamlet the royal burial he deserves. "

The Author
Answer the questions.
1
Who wrote Hamlet?
2
When and where was the author born?
3
Which school did
he go to?
4
Who did he marry?
5
How many children did he have?
6
Which are his
most famous plays?
7
What did he write about?
8
When did William
Shakespeare die?
          Background
Correct the sentences.
1
Shakespeare wrote Hamlet between 1600 and the winter of 1602.
2
The performance of the full play takes around 5 hours.
3
Most actors find it very easy to play the part of Hamlet.
4
Hamlet's character is straightforward.
5
Every actor perceives Hamlet's character in the same way.
6

There have been 22 films called Hamlet made for television.
7
27 operas have been written based on Hamlet.
8   Some old songs contain lines from
Hamlet.
The Plot
Look at words. How are they related to the story?
• Hamlet
• King Hamlet • Claudius
• Gertrude
• castle • ghost • revenge
• mad
• stepfather • old school friends
• special
play • murder • tragic end
The Characters
Say who is ...
1 2 weak
3   loyal
4
depressed
5
conniving
6
clever but indecisive
7
passionate and decisive
8
innocent
9
calculating

title and the pictures on pages
8 and 9. What do you think is happening at the beginning of the story? Listen
and read to find out if your answers are correct.
While Reading
u
Read or listen to the
episode and choose the correct words.
1
Claudius is Hamlet's father/uncle.
2
Fortinbras wants to attack/protect Denmark.
3
Laertes wants to return to France/ England.
4
Claudius wants Hamlet to stop complaining/mourning.
5
Claudius has married Gertrude within two/four months after King
Hamlet's death.
6
Hamlet thinks that the world is meaningless/wonderful.
7
Hamlet's father is a guard/ghost.
After Reading
Discuss in pairs:
1
Why do you think Hamlet is angry with his mother?
2
What do you think Hamlet's father wants to tell him?
3
How do you think Hamlet's feelings have been affected by his
father's death?
Think! Why
do you think the queen married Claudius? Spend three minutes writing a few
sentences on the question. Read your sentences to the class.
pictures.
1
Who are the people in the first-picture and where are they? Why
do you think they are there?
2   Why is Hamlet kneeling down in the
second picture? How do you think he is feeling?
While Reading
Read or listen to the episode and answer the questions.
1 Where do
Hamlet and the ghost meet?
2 Why does Horatio warn Hamlet to be
careful?
3
Why does Hamlet ignore Horatio's advice?
4
How does Claudius say the King died?
5
How did the King really die?
6
What does the ghost want Hamlet to do? 7 What does Hamlet decide to do?
After Reading
Discuss in pairs:
1
How do you think Hamlet feels when he sees the ghost?
2
How do you think Hamlet feels when he hears the truth about his
father's death?
3
Why is Hamlet going to pretend to be mad?
4   What do you think is going to happen
in the next episode?
Think!
What powerful symbolic
action is used in this episode to show that Denmark is corrupt? Explain your
answer.
title. In what way is it related to the previous
episode?
a Look at the pictures. What do you
think the people are talking about?
While Reading
Read or listen to the episode and tick (V) Yes if the
following statements are correct, or No if they are incorrect.
Yes No
1
Laertes believes Hamlet's love for Ophelia is lasting.
2
Ophelia does not accept her father's advice.
3
When Hamlet visits Ophelia, he behaves like a madman.
4
Ophelia decides to speak to
King Claudius about Hamlet.
5
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern refuse to spy on Hamlet.
6
Polonius tells Claudius that Hamlet is mad for Ophelia.
7
Hamlet pretends that he doesn't know Polonius.
8
Polonius is sure about Hamlet's madness.
After Reading
Answer the questions in groups.
1 Why is Ophelia discouraged from taking Hamlet's promises seriously? What are
the restrictions Hamlet is faced with? 2 Why is Hamlet rude to Polonius?

Think! Judging from
her conversation with her father and brother, what can you tell about Ophelia's
character? Would you act the same way?
Who is visiting Hamlet? How has
his mood changed from the first to the second picture?
While Reading
u Read or listen to the
episode and correct the words in bold.
1
The Prince seems very unhappy to see Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern.
2
Hamlet refers to Denmark as a paradise when speaking.
3
Hamlet says that he has been delighted about the world and life
recently.
4
Hamlet is particularly saddened to hear about the travelling
actors.
5
Hamlet wants the actors to add an extra episode to the play.
Answer the following questions.
1
What kind of mood do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find Hamlet in?
2
What does Hamlet ask the actors to do?
3
Why is Hamlet blaming himself at the end of the episode?
After Reading
Answer the questions.
1
Why does Hamlet say that the King and Queen are deceived?
2
What does Hamlet mean when he says "Murder will reveal
itself tomorrow night"?
Think!
Why do you think Hamlet calls Denmark a prison? In three minutes write a
few sentences on the topic. Read your sentences to the class.
pictures. How does Ophelia's emotional
state change from the first to the second picture?
While Reading
a Read or listen to the episode and put
the events in the correct order.
The King and Polonius come out of their hiding place.
[2 Ophelia looks up from her book and
meets
Hamlet's eyes.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern visit the King and Queen.
C] Hamlet is troubled, pondering
"to be, or not to be".
Claudius and Polonius discuss Polonius' plan to spy on
Hamlet.
C] Claudius considers sending Hamlet
to England.
Ophelia offers to give Hamlet's gifts back to him.
C] Hamlet tells Ophelia that he does
not love her.
After Reading
Discuss in pairs:
1
"To be, or not to be" is the most famous line in
English literature, revealing Hamlet's thoughtful nature. What does it mean?
What is it that makes it difficult for Hamlet to decide between life and death?
2
What do you think Claudius is going to do with Hamlet? Why?

Think! What sort of
life do you think Ophelia would lead if she went to a nunnery? Why would this
be an appropriate punishment?
title and the pictures. Do
things seem to be getting better,_or worse? Why?
While Reading
Read or listen to the episode and
complete the text with the words in the list. One word is not used.
• soul e private • remorse • pours
•  disturbed
• witnesses • second
•  carefully
• rushes
Hamlet gives the actors a speech to read and he tells
Horatio to watch Claudius 1)  The audience 2) the story of a murderer who 3) poison into the ear of his brother
the King. When Claudius sees this, he jumps to his feet and he 4)  out of the room. Claudius feels
afraid. He is 5) about the play and he knows that something is wrong. He goes to his room
tortured by 6)  Hamlet walks past Claudius' room. When he sees Claudius praying, he
decides to kill him but he has 7) thoughts. He wants to kill him when doing something bad so
that his 8) will
go to hell.
After Reading a
Answer the questions.
1
Why do you think Hamlet asked Horatio to watch Claudius?
2
Although Hamlet seems ready to take revenge, he delays action
once again. What prevents him from killing Claudius?

Gertrude
  as to how King Hamlet died or do you think she already knew?

Does the performance enlighten
title and the pictures. What do you
think is happening in this episode? Is Hamlet doing what he is expected to do?
While Reading
Read or listen to the episode and mark the sentences
as T (true) or F (false).
1
Hamlet is pleased with Gertrude.
2
Gertrude thinks Hamlet is being
rude.
3
Gertrude tries to leave the room.
4
Hamlet sees something moving behind the door.
5
Hamlet thinks the one hiding is Claudius.
6
Hamlet kills Polonius.
7
Gertrude sees the ghost.
8
Hamlet trusts Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
After Reading
Discuss in pairs:
1
Do you think Hamlet shows disrespect for his mother? Why does he
call her a "stepmother"?
2
Do you think Gertrude realises her fault finally?
3
What do you think is going to happen in the next episode?
-Why do you think Shakespeare chooses not
to have Gertrude see the ghost? In three minutes write a few sentences on the
topic. Read your sentences to the class.
1

What do you think is going on in the first picture? How is it
related to the title?
2
What appears to be happening in the second picture?
While Reading
Read or listen to the episode and match the speech quotes
to the characters.
Some of the characters may not be used.
"Ah, my good lord, what I have seen
tonight!" "God be with you,
sir."
"How everything urges me to take

 "The body is with the King, but the
King is not with the body. "
"Follow him at once. "
"To be honest, we are fighting for a little piece of
land."
"If I had hidden there instead of him,
I would be dead now!"
a Claudius c captain e
Polonius b Gertrude d Hamlet f ghost
After Reading
Answer the questions.
1
Why do you think Claudius wants to have Hamlet killed away from
Denmark?
2
Why doesn't Hamlet say goodbye to Claudius?
3
Hamlet's encounter with Fortinbras' army is another occasion that
shows his lack of will to action. Explain why.

Think'.

Claudius says Hamlet is like a fever in his
blood. What does he mean by this?

two pictures. What do they tell us about
the outcome of the episode?
While Reading
Read or listen to the episode and say who the words in
bold in the following sentences refer to.
1
She is in a state of deep sorrow.
2
She will talk to
her.
3
Their father's death made her mad.
4
They brought him a letter from Hamlet. 5 He went to meet Hamlet.
6
He cannot fight their great love for him.
7
He will help him get revenge.
8
They will fight a
duel.
9
She drowned.
10
He will poison
his drink.
After Reading
Discuss in pairs:
1
Why does Laertes return to Denmark?
2
Why do you think Ophelia becomes mad? 3 Claudius' behaviour in this episode proves him to be
most evil and calculating. Can you explain why by referring to the text?
4
What do you think is going to happen in the next episode?

Think! Based on the
story so far, do you think Ophelia's death was an accident or
suicide? Explain.
and answer the questions.
1   What is going on in the first
picture?
2
How do you think Hamlet feels in the second picture?
While Reading
u Answer the
following questions.
1
How do Hamlet and Horatio come across the gravediggers?
2
Why do the gravediggers believe that if the dead person hadn't
been someone important, she wouldn't have a proper burial?
3
Whose skull do they find while digging?
4
How does Hamlet react when he sees the skull? Why?
5
Why do the King, Queen and courtiers come to the graveyard?
6
Why is Laertes angry with the priest?
After Reading
Discuss in pairs:

1
Why does Hamlet think the gravedigger uses words cleverly?
2
Laertes says, "From her pure flesh may violets spring.
" What does he mean by this? 3 What
is Hamlet's attitude towards the dead?

hide
  when he sees the funeral procession approaching?

Think! Why
does Hamlet feel the need to
pictures.
1
What seems to be happening in the first picture? Why, do you
think?
2
What do you think Hamlet and Horatio are discussing in the second
picture?
While Reading
Read or listen to the episode and answer the questions.
 1 How is Gertrude mourning Ophelia's
death? 2
Why does Laertes become
furious with Hamlet?
3
What is Hamlet trying to prove with his passionate speech?
4
What is Claudius' reaction to the incident between Hamlet and
Laertes?
5
What does Hamlet find in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's bags?
6
What does Hamlet do when he finds Claudius' letter?
After Reading
Discuss the questions in pairs.
1   Do you think Hamlet was right to
trick Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Why (not)?
2
How does Hamlet feel about Laertes at the end of the episode?
What do you think he's going to do next?
Think! What
makes a good friend? In three minutes write a few sentences on the
topic. Read your sentences to the class.
1
What is going on
in the first picture? How do you think each one feels?
2

Judging from the second picture, how do you think the play will end?
While Reading
Read or listen to the episode and choose the correct
words.
Hamlet is 1) challenged/forced to a duel with Laertes.
When Hamlet enters the throne room, he 2) holds/shakes hands with his rival and
tells him he has wronged him because of his 3) thoughtlessness/ madness.
Laertes chooses a 4) sharpened/ blunted, poisoned sword but it's Hamlet who 5)
scores/aims the first hit. When Claudius offers him some poisoned wine,
Gertrude takes the cup and drinks, 6) too/instead. While fighting, Laertes and
Hamlet 7) drop/exchange swords and Hamlet wounds Laertes with the poisoned one.
Gertrude is dying and so are Hamlet and Laertes, who reveals that Claudius is
to 8) blame/punish. Hamlet 9) plunges/ throws the poisoned sword into Claudius
and forces the poisoned wine into his mouth. When Horatio is about to drink too
and die with his lord, Hamlet stops him. Horatio must live to tell everyone
Hamlet's 10) story/tale.
After Reading
Discuss in pairs:
What kind of leader do you think Fortinbras
represents?
Think! What qualities should a good leader have according
to you?
1
When was Hamlet written?
A
between 1700 and the summer of 1702 B between 1600 and the summer
of 1602
C between 1600 and the winter of 1602
2
The full performance of Hamlet is said to take
A
30 minutes B 2 hours   C 4 hours
3
At the beginning
of the play, the King has just
A
died      B retired          C won a war
4
Hamlet finds out
quickly that his father has been
A
married            B asleep          C murdered
5
Who does Hamlet find out is guilty for what has happened?
A
his mother B his brother C his uncle
6
Hamlet confirms his suspicions of who is guilty with a
A
play performance B verbal accusation C note to them
7
What two people seem to be involved in the death of the former
King?
A
Claudius/Polonius        B Gertrude/Claudius
C Horatio/Ophelia
1

One of the elements of literature is conflict, that is when a character faces a
challenge or a struggle. There are three types of conflict: man versus
man, man versus himself, man versus nature. Can you find examples of conflict
in Hamlet?
2   Is Hamlet a man
of action or a man of inaction? How does his indecision affect the plot?
3
 List the characters who betray or
disappoint
Hamlet and their actions.
Now list the characters who stand by him and their
actions. How do they affect Hamlet emotionally?
4
Compare and contrast

8

Hamlet's
  plan to fool everyone is to pretend to be

Ophelia's death to

A silly                B mad             C brave

Gertrude's. What are the

9

By mistake, Hamlet kills           who hides behind a

similarities and
  differences?

curtain to
  spy on him.

5

What kind of leader
  do you

A Claudius         B Laertes         C
  Polonius

think Hamlet would have

10

King
  Claudius fears Hamlet's insanity and his pursuit

made if he had lived?

of the
  truth so he

6

How many instances of

A kills him          B sends him away

spying can you find in the

C makes him King

play? To what extent are

11

plots Hamlet's death by sending a letter to

they justified?

the King of
  England to kill him.

7

How modern a character do

A Claudius            B Gertrude C Polonius

you think Hamlet
  is? Justify

12

In the end,
  everyone in the play dies except for

your
  answer.

A
Ophelia          B Laertes           C Horatio

Discuss in groups.
Can you think of an alternative title for
the story?

Can you think of a different ending for the story? Is it more of
a happy ending, or even more tragic than Shakespeare's? Discuss it and briefly
write it down.
     Which
is your favourite character in Hamlet? Why?
     Which
character do you like the least? Why?

What lessons do
you think the story teaches us?

Episode 1
In
his speech King Claudius addresses the court in such a way as to avoid public
disapproval. What is the delicate issue he has to deal with? Do you think he
makes a good or bad impression as King?
u
Claudius assumes a fatherly role toward Hamlet. Do you think he is
convincing? Is Hamlet likely to follow his advice?
In his despair Hamlet wishes he could die and thinks all
women are weak. Is
his way of thinking justifiable? How would
you characterise him as a person?
From the
beginning of the episode there is an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety, as
the dead King's throne has been inherited by an unexpected heir. How is this
atmosphere heightened at the end of the episode?
Episode 2
What is Hamlet's attitude toward
Claudius? Do you think he is right?

How would you characterise Horatio in
contrast to Hamlet? Justify your answer by referring to the text.
How do you think Claudius feels about his position as
King? How can you tell?
Episode 4
What do you think of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Justify
your opinion.
a Comment on Hamlet's speech at the
end of the episode. What emotional state is he in?
Episode 5
Although Hamlet has announced earlier that he is going to
pretend to be mad, his behaviour in this episode makes the reader doubt whether
he is just pretending. Explain why.
Episode 6
Horatio as well as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are
Hamlet's friends. Do you think they all deserve to be called his friends?

Do the ghost
  and Hamlet share the same The play presented to the King and his
  opinion about Gertrude? court has a different effect on Claudius from the one
  it has on Hamlet. Explain in
Episode
  3 what way each man is affected. What course of action is each one going to
  take? The state of Laertes' family contrasts

sharply with the state of Hamlet's family.                   Episode
  7
In what way are the two men different as far as family is concerned? Though
  Gertrude's speech is quite limited, it allows us to have a close look at a Based or, his encounters with
  Ophelia, her character. Based on her confrontation the King and Queen, and
  Hamlet, how with her son, comment on the different would you characterise
  Polonius? states of feeling she goes through. Do you think she is
  trustworthy? Why?

What
do Claudius' words of remorse reveal about his character? Do you think he is a
different man now from what he used to be?
a Gertrude
proves to be dependent on men, who seem to determine the way she feels and
acts. This links her to Ophelia. Comment on the similarity of the two women's
character.
Throughout the play Hamlet has difficulty coordinating his
thoughts and actions. How is this illustrated in the episode?
Episode 8
Although
she has promised Hamlet not to betray him, Gertrude immediately turns him in to
the King. Why do you think she does such a thing? How is her reaction related
to her nature?
u While other male characters in the
play are concerned with honour, morality and justice, Claudius is a selfish,
ambitious king only interested in maintaining his power. How is this shown in
the episode?
In this episode Hamlet appears to be a different
character. In what way?
Episode 9
The health of a state is closely connected to the morality
of its ruler. In the case of Claudius, the state is corrupted. How is
corruption illustrated in the text?
u
Laertes is sharply contrasted with Hamlet as far as course of
action is concerned. How is this contrast shown in the text?
Madness is a major topic in this episode too,
this time torturing Ophelia. Do you think her insanity is the same as Hamlet's
insanity?
Episode 10
This episode combines the comic with the tragic element.
Can you refer to the text to illustrate this combination?
Earlier, with his famous line "to be, or not to
be", Hamlet was concerned about death, especially the afterlife. Here the
matter of death troubles him again, but this time it is physical decay and the
certainty of death that concern him. How is this shown in the text?
What topic of religious importance is brought up in this
episode?
Episode 1 1
What
emotional state is Hamlet in at Ophelia's funeral? Does his present behaviour
match his behaviour in his encounter with Ophelia earlier in the play?
Comment on the bond between Claudius and Laertes in
contrast with the bond between Hamlet and Horatio.
Episode 12
After the shock of Ophelia's death, there seems to be a
change in Hamlet's mental state. He is not wholly obsessed with himself and his
family but shows a concern for others. How is this illustrated in this episode?
a
In contrast to the rest
of the play, where action is always delayed, the
final scene
is full of action and violence. Characters drop one after the other so that
everyone takes revenge and there is justice for everyone. In what way does
justice prevail?

EPISODE 1
armour (n) = metal or leather clothing used by soldiers
in the past to protect their body in combat assure (v) = tell sb that sth is
definitely true astonished (adj) = amazed aware (adj) = having knowledge or showing perception of something
battlements (n) = a wall round the top of a castle, with gaps through which weapons can be used
beast (n) = a wild animal beckon (v) = summon or signal sb, often as an
invitation beloved (adj) = sb or sth dearly loved bow (v) = bend the top part
of your body forward out of respect for sb convince (v) = persuade sb that what
you say is true creature (n) = a living thing crown (v) = place a crown on the
head of a new king or queen as part of an official ceremony court (n) = a royal
person's officers and advisers deeply (adv) = to a great extent depressed (adj) = low in spirits, very
unhappy echo (v) = repeat what sb else has just said eternity (n) = time
without end, the time after death evil (adj) = deliberately harmful exclaim (v)
= say sth suddenly and loudly because of anger, surprise or excitement figure
(n) = a bodily shape or form of a person frustrated (adj) = upset and impatient
because of a situation that is hard to control or change guard (n) = sb whose
job is to protect a person or place meaningless (adj) = having no meaning,
insignificant mourn (v) = be greatly sad for sb's death
patient (adj) = able to wait calmly for sth to happen
or tolerate a bad situation without complaining or getting angry permission (n)
= formal consent reveal (v) = make something known that was previously hidden
sorrow (n) = deep sadness stubbornness (n) = unreasonable determination not to
change your mind successor (n) = sb who takes a job or position previously held
by sb else threaten (v) = say you will harm sb if they do not do what you want
throne (n) = a special chair used by a king or queen
EPISODE 2

adieu (n) = farewell, goodbye
apparition (n) = a ghost approach (v) = draw closer; come nearer to sb or sth
astonishment (n) = amazement or wonder avenge (v) = hurt or punish sb because
they have harmed or offended you beneath (prep) = directly under sth or in a
lower position breathlessly (adv) = in a way that shows difficulty in breathing
cliff (n) = a high area of rock or mountain with a very steep side conscience
(n) = the part of your mind that tells you whether your actions are morally
right or wrong corpse (n) = the dead body of a human being despite (prep) = in spite of,
used to refer to two contrasting things disgust (n) = a feeling of very strong
dislike extremely (adv) = to a great degree; very firmly (adv) = steadily,
resolutely gasp (v) = breathe hard; lose your breath because of shock or
fatigue grab (v) = take hold of sb or sth with a sudden or violent movement;
snatch
grimly (adv) = very seriously, sternly
harsh (adj) = severe oath (n) = a formal promise to tell the truth orchard (n) = a place where fruit trees are grown part (v) = separate, detach pour (v) =
make a liquid flow out of or into a container remain (v) = continue to be in
the same state or condition rumour (n) = information that is passed from one
person to another and which may or may not be true serpent (n) = a snake
shameful (adj) = full of shame, bringing disgrace sin (n) = an action or type
of behaviour against the laws of God spirit (n) = a ghost or supernatural being
spread (v) = tell a lot of people about sth state of mind (phr) = the mental
condition sb is in summit (n) = the peak or highest point of something swear
(v) = promise under an oath to do sth sword (n) = a weapon, usually made of
steel, with a long pointed blade tempt (v) = make st) want sth even though it may be wrong or harmful
unnatural (adj) = different from what you normally expect; strange upset (adj)
= unhappy and worried because of sth unpleasant or disappointing; troubled villainous (adj) = willingly trying to
harm other people; evil
EPISODE 3
alarmed (adj) = afraid or anxious
arrange (v) = organise or make plans for sth attendant (n) = a person whose job
is to serve or help a superior blessing (n) = approval and encouragement cause
(v) = make sth happen cause (n) = the person, thing or event that makes sth
happen chamber (n) = a bedroom or private room faithful (adj) = true, loyal
farewell (n) = goodbye honourable (adj) = deserving to be respected and admired intend (v) = decide or plan to do sth
invade (v) = enter an area using military force in order to take control of it
lasting (adj) = continuing to exist or having an effect for a  very long time majesty (n) = a term
used to refer to a king or queen noble (adj) = morally good or of high rank in birth obey (v) = do what sb
in authority or a law tells you to do prevent (v) = stop sth from  happening or sb from doing sth         relieved (adj) = no longer worried
about sth search (n) = the act of looking for sb or sth sew (v) = make or
repair clothes using a needle and thread sigh (v) = let out a long breath to
show relief or discomfort stare (v) = look at sb or sth for a very long time
vow (n) = a serious promise witty (adj) = amusing in a clever
way wrist (n) = the part of the human body that joins the hand to the arm
EPISODE 4
admit (v) = agree, often unwillingly, that sth is true announce (v) = make
sth known publicly blame (v) = hold sb responsible for sth bad coward (n) = sb who
is not brave deceive(v) cause sb to believe sth that is not true; trick
decision (n) = a choice or judgment, usually made after a period of thought
delighted (adj) = extremely pleased demand (v) = ask for sth in a very forceful
way direct (adj) = straightforward discussion (n) = a conversation including
different ideas or opinions about a topic dungeon (n) = a dark underground
prison grief (n) = deep sorrow or sadness guilty (adj) = responsible for
morally or socially unacceptable behaviour impressed (adj) = feeling admiration and respect
for sb or sth insist (v) = say firmly that sth is true or must be done motive (n) = the reason that makes sb
do sth observe (v) = watch carefully in order to find out sth particularly (adv) = especially
passionately (adv) = in a way that shows enthusiasm or very strong feelings purpose (n) = aim, goal puzzled (adj)
= confused request (n) = a polite or formal demand retort (v) = reply or answer
back quickly in an angry or humorous way unworthy (adj) = not deserving respect
urge (v) = strongly suggest that sb does sth useless (adj) = not useful;
worthless
EPISODE 5
by accident (phr) = in a way that is not planned or
intended bear (v) = endure, tolerate catch sight of (phr) = suddenly see  sb or sth confess (v) = admit doing
sth wrong contradict (v) = say the opposite of what has been said devastated
(adj) = extremely  shocked and sad judge (v) = form an opinion about sb or sth after
thinking carefully melancholy (n) = an intense feeling of sadness moody (adj) = changing quickly from
being in a good mood to being in a bad mood; gloomy nun (n) = a woman who
devotes herself to God by being in a religious order
nunnery (n) = a place where nuns live; convent overcome
(v) = overwhelm with an emotion difficult to deal with position (n) = the place
where sb or sth is put into practice (phr) = actually carry out an idea rave (v) = speak in an excited,
uncontrolled or crazy way set sth right (phr) = correct sth sight (n) = a
famous or interesting  place worth seeing sneer (v) = smile or speak in an unkind way that shows
contempt soul (n) = that part of a person that is not physical but relates to
character, thought and feelings and is believed to exist after death storm (v)
= move or walk in a violent or angry manner; rush take advantage of (phr ) =
use sb or sth in order to benefit torture (n) = severe physical or mental suffering
EPISODE 6
amazed (adj) = very surprised,
astonished ambition (n) = a strong desire to be
successful, rich or powerful anxious (adj) = nervous or worried about sth;
uneasy commit (v) = do sth wrong or illegal creep (v) = move slowly and quietly so
as not to attract attention decisively (adv) = in a way that shows
determination distant (adj) = cold and unfriendly disturbed (adj) = worried or
upset draw (v) = take sth out of a container escort (v) = accompany excitedly
(adv) = in a way that shows enthusiasm or nervousness excitement (n) = the
feeling of being excited flatter (v) = praise sb excessively but not sincerely groan (v) = make a long deep sound
because of pain or disappointment guilt (n) = condition or fact of having committed a
crime
have second
thoughts (phr) = start having doubts about a decision you have made hover (v) =
stay nervously in the same place because you are not certain what to do in
panic (phr) = in a state of fear or nervousness that makes you unable to think
clearly or act sensibly in private (phr) = not in public judgment (n) = the
ability to make sensible decisions about what to do kneel down (phr v) = bend
the knees so that your body is resting on them nervousness (n) = anxiety,
tension possession (n) = sth that you own pray (v) = speak to God in order to
ask for help or express gratitude prayer (n) = words you say when you
speak to God proof (n) = evidence that shows if sth is true or not rage (n) =
violent, uncontrolled
anger remorse (n) = a strong feeling of sadness and
regret about sth wrong you have done scene (n) = a part of a play shadow (n) =
the dark area (of a room, etc.) strict (adj) = severe in discipline strike (v)
= deliberately hit sb tolerate (v) = put up with sb or sth endure witness (v) = see sth happen,
especially a crime or accident
EPISODE 7
drag (v) = pull something along the ground gracious
(adj) = behaving in a kind  and generous way hanging (n) = sth that hangs or is suspended from a wall
or ceiling; a curtain impatiently (adv) = restlessly, anxiously inferior (adj)
= less important than sb else, of lower rank mistake sb/sth for (phr) = wrongly
think that one person or thing is sb or sth else; confuse with another
offend (v) = say or do sth rude that
upsets people regret (v) = feel sorry about sth you have done rudeness (n) =
impolite words or behaviour schoolfellow (n) = a schoolmate or friend from
school set a trap for sb (phr) = trick sb in order to catch them or find out
their true intentions shame (n) = the feeling you get after you have done sth wrong or embarrassing sinful (adj) =
immoral snap (v) = say sth quickly in an
angry way speechless (adj) = temporarily unable to
speak, usually because of shock terrified (adj) = extremely frightened;
horrified thoughtless (adj) = ignoring other people's feelings; inconsiderate
thrust (v) = push forcefully trust (v) = believe sb is honest and rely on them
EPISODE 8
advantage (n) = sth that puts you in a
better position than other people board (v) = get on a ship, plane, train, etc in order to travel
somewhere chapel (n) = small church confusingly (adv) = in a way that is
unclear and difficult to understand delay (v) = wait until a later time to do
sth delicate (adj) = fragile, sensitive departure (n) = the act of leaving a
place, especially at the start of a journey dishonoured (adj) = having lost other people's respect
because of unacceptable behaviour force (n) = a group of soldiers; army frontier (n) = the border
between two countries fulfil (v) = carry out ignore (v) = deliberately pay no
attention to sb or sth in return (phr) = in reply
insignificant (adj) = not important instead of (phr) =
in the place of justify (v) = prove or show something to be reasonable liberty
(n) = the freedom to do what you want loyalty (n) = the quality of remaining faithful to your friends,
principles, etc mutual (adj) = shared by two or more people ponder (v) = think
about sth carefully seal (v) = close an envelope or package by using sth sticky
 so that it cannot be opened signify (v) = mean sth, be a sign that
represents sth threat (n) = a statement or expression of one's intention to
punish or harm tiny (adj) = extremely small troop (n) = a group of soldiers unnoticed
(adj) = not observed by anyone whereabouts (n) = the present location of a
person or thing worthless (adj) = lacking worth or value; useless EPISODE 9
babble (v) = talk in a confused or
excited way that sounds silly or makes no sense blunted (adj) = not sharp or
pointed; dull branch (n) = the part of a tree that grows out from the trunk and
has leaves or fruit on it burst (v) = move somewhere suddenly or quickly
challenge (v) = invite sb to compete or fight against you despair (n) = a
feeling that you have no hope at all
drown (v) = die
from being unable to breathe while under water garland (n) = a ring of flowers
or leaves
horrified (adj) = extremely frightened interrupt (v) =
break the continuity of a process or activity jealous (adj) = feeling angry or
unhappy because st) else has sth that you wish you had; envious
meanwhile (adv) = while sth else is happening, in the
meantime messenger (n) = sb whose job is to deliver messages opportunity (n) =
a chance or possibility to do sth you want scratch (n) = a small cut on sb's
skin sharpened (adj) = having a sharper edge or point slight (adj) = very small
in degree or quantity wickedly (adv) = in a way that shows immorality or evil
willow (n) = a type of tree that has long thin branches and long narrow leaves
and  grows near water
EPISODE 10
appalled (adj) = shocked or disgusted burial (n) = the
act or ceremony of putting a dead body into the ground courtier (n) = sb who
attends to the King and Queen in a royal court declare (v) = make sth known
officially and publicly, state formally dig (v) = make a hole in the ground by
removing earth with a tool dust (n) = very small bits of earth fair (adj) =
beautiful, pretty flesh (n) = the soft part of the body between the skin and
the bones funeral (n) = a religious ceremony for burying sb who has died grave
(n) = the place in the ground where a dead body is buried gravedigger (n) = st)
whose job is to dig graves graveyard (n) = an area of ground where people are
buried; cemetery jester (n) = a person employed to entertain people at the royal court
lightheartedness (n) = the state of being free from care, anxiety or
seriousness merrily (adv) = in a happy way on sb's way (phr) = moving along
towards a place peasant (n) = a poor farmer of low social status
pickaxe (n) = a tool with a pointed
iron bar used for garden or ground work such as digging soil or breaking up
rocks priest (n) = st) authorised to perform religious duties and ceremonies
procession (n) = a line of people or vehicles moving slowly as part of a
ceremony proper (adj) = socially acceptable and correct; appropriate pure (adj)
= innocent, virtuous rot (v) = decay, deteriorate or decompose self-defence (n)
= sth you do to protect yourself or your property skull (n) = the bony part of
the head that encloses the brain spade (n) = a digging tool with a flat metal
blade pushed into the ground with the foot; shovel spring (v) = move upwards or
forwards suddenly and quickly suicide (n) = the act of killing oneself unholy
(adj) = not holy, sinful
EPISODE 11
coffin (n) = a long box that a dead
body is buried in cursed (adj) = suffering as a result of punishment by God
determination (n) = the quality of being firmly decisive devise (v) = plan;
invent a new way of doing sth eager (adj) = very keen and excited about sth
equally (adv) = to the same degree or amount exchange (n) = the act of giving
or taking one thing in return for another fit (n) = a sudden physical or
emotional attack fury (n) = violent or very strong anger; rage maid (n) = a
young unmarried woman or girl, especially in the past mournfully (adv) = in a
way that shows great sadness

outraged (adj) = feeling great anger and shock seal (n) = a stamp with a special
design that shows the official authority of a person or government scatter (v) = throw or drop
things so that they spread all over the place sign (v) = write your name on sth
strengthen (v) = make stronger tear (v) = pull sth to pieces; rip unjustly
(adv) = in an unfair, dishonest manner unseal (v) = break or remove the seal of
something; open weep (v) = cry
EPISODE 12
ambassador (n) = an official representative of a
government to another country announce (v) = make sth known publicly bleed (v)
= lose blood, especially because of an injury consider (v) = think of sb or sth
as excellence (n) = the quality of being extremely good faint (v) = suddenly
become unconscious for a short time gain (v) = acquire or get possession of sth
hastily (adv) = quickly, in a hurry murderous (adj) = very dangerous capable of
killing pass away (phr v) = die plead (v) = ask for sth in an emotional way; beg
plunge (v) = cause to enter quickly and forcibly rival (n) = a competitor,
opponent superior (adj) = better than sb else, of higher rank vote (n) = an act
of showing who you are in favour of in an election worthy (adj) = deserving
respect; valuable wound (v) = injure wrong (v) = treat or judge Yb unfairly

49

Hamlet

Actor 1

Claudius

Actor 2

Narrator(s): At least one

Gertrude

Captain

student dressed in

Horatio

Soldiers

black
  T-shirt and

Polonius

Messenger

black
  leggings

Ghost

Servant

Rosencrantz

Sailor 1

Guildenstern

Sailor 2

Laertes

Gravedigger
  1

Ophelia

Gravedigger
  2

Guard

Priest

Ambassador 1

Fortinbras

Characters:
Ambassador 2

The young Prince of Denmark
Is lonely and sad
His life seems so empty
His luck seems so bad
His father has gone
And his uncle is mean
He feels more unhappy
Than
    he's ever been
CHORUS: It's winter in Denmark
There's
    snow everywhere
There's
    ice on the ground
And revenge in the air
The new King of Denmark
Is not a good man
He's greedy for power
He takes what he can
The crown is now his
And he's married the Queen
He feels he is greater
Than
    he's ever been
REPEAT
    CHORUS
Narrator:                King Hamlet of
    Denmark is dead. His brother,
Claudius, has
    become the new King. King Hamlet's wife, Gertrude, has married Claudius
    just two months after the King's funeral.
Claudius: My beloved brother is dead, and I am your new
    King. We all loved him dearly, but we must be sad anymore. By marrying our
    beautiful Queen I have balanced sorrow with joy.

Scene 1
SONG:
Winter in Denmark
50

Claudius:
All :
Polonius:
Claudius:
Laertes:
Claudius:
Polonius:
Claudius:
Laertes:
Claudius:
Hamlet:
Gertrude:
Hamlet:
Claudius:
Hamlet:
Claudius:
Gertrude:
Hamlet:
Claudius:
Hamlet:
Horatio:

To
    the King and Queen!
Also, let us
    not forget about the future of Denmark. Fortinbras, the Prince of Norway,
    is planning to attack our country. We must protect Denmark from his army. I
    have already asked his uncle, the present King of Norway, to stop
    Fortinbras.
To
    Denmark!
Please, my
    lord. My son, Laertes, wants to speak to you.
What
    is it, Laertes?
My lord, I
    returned to Denmark to attend your coronation, but now I wish to return to
    France.
What
    does your father say?
My
    lord, he has my permission.
Dear Laertes,
    to me you are as worthy as your father, good Polonius. Therefore, you may
    return to France.
Thank
    you, my lord.
But what are we going to do with Prince Hamlet? Why are
    you still mourning, my son?
I am not your son. My father is dead.
Come, Hamlet. Everyone dies one
    day. You cannot seem sad forever.
I do not seem sad, Mother. I am sad.
Please, stop
    mourning, Hamlet. You have a new father now. Stay with us and do not go
    back to your studies in Wittenberg.
I wish to go back there. I was enjoying my studies.
I don't think
    that is a good idea. You should stay here and do your duty as the Prince of
    Denmark.
O,
    please stay in Denmark, Hamlet.
Very
    well, Mother, if you wish it.
That is
    wonderful news! Come, my dear. Let us go and celebrate.
I wish I could
    die! My life is so meaningless. My father was such a good king and loved my
    mother deeply. And she, after two months, married my uncle! My good friend,
    Horatio!
My lord. I bring some news for you. I think I saw your father's ghost
    last night, outside the castle.

Hamlet:

My father's ghost?

Horatio:

The
  guards say that it comes to the castle every night, but it stands silent,
  dressed in armour.

Hamlet:

How strange! Could my father have been murdered? We will wait for the
  ghost tonight and find out what this means.

Narrator:

Hamlet feels that
  his mother does not care about

Narrator:

It is close to midnight. Hamlet, Horatio and a guard wait
  outside the castle. At midnight, they see a strange figure walking through
  the fog.

Horatio:

Look, my lord, it is coming.

Hamlet:

Answer me! Why are you here?

Horatio:

It
  wants to speak to you. It beckons you to go closer. But do not go, my lord.
  It may be dangerous.

Hamlet:

My life is worthless. I shall follow it.

Horatio:

What
  if it tempts you toward the sea or to the summit of the cliffs?

Hamlet:

It still beckons me. I shall follow it.

Guard:

Something
  is rotten in the state of Denmark. Let's stay close, my lord. Do not go.

Hamlet:

Hold off your hands.

his
father anymore. He cannot understand how she could forget someone she loved so
quickly.
I can't forget my father
He was my everything
My teacher and my hero
My father and my king
CHORUS: It's hard to lose somebody
When no one seems to care

They act as though the one I
loved
Was
never even there How can they
live without him?
How can they let him go?
How can they all forget him When I still miss him so?
I won't forget my father
I'll keep his memory strong
To forget someone so quickly Is
impossible and wrong
REPEAT CHORUS
Ghost: I am your
father's spirit burning in fires until my sins are forgiven. I am here to tell
you the truth about my death. You must avenge my murder.
                                                                       Hamlet:                  Murder?
Ghost: Claudius told
the people that a snake bit me while I was sleeping in the orchard. This is a
lie!
                                                     Hamlet:             A
lie? Then what really happened?
Ghost: The truth is
that Claudius came to me while I was sleeping and poured poison into my ear.
The poison ran into my blood and I died in just a few seconds.
Hamlet: Your brother murdered you! I
knew something was not right!
Ghost: My own
brother took away my life and my queen. But, please, Hamlet, do not harm your
mother. Deep down she knows her fault. I must leave you now. Remember me,
Hamlet, and take revenge.
Hamlet: I will
remember you, Father. I will not let that evil murderer wear your crown!
                                                                       Horatio:                    What
did it say, my lord?
                                                                        Hamlet:                   Swear
never to speak about it. No one must know.
                                                     Guard:               We
swear, my lord.
                                                     Hamlet:             There's
a villain living in Denmark.
                                                     Horatio:             We
don't need a ghost to tell us this, my lord.
Hamlet: Then, there is nothing more to
say. I will pretend to be mad for a while. The King and Queen will never know
what I am thinking. Then I can carry out my plan and get revenge for my
father's murder. Now swear on my sword, not to say a word.
Horatio and
                                                     Guard:               We
swear, my lord.
                                                                        Ghost:                      Swear,
swear, swear!
Narrator:            Hamlet
wants revenge for his father's death. But is it good to want revenge?
When people treat you badly
SONG: Revenge
What do you want to do?
Do you want to get revenge And treat them badly,
too?
CHORUS: Revenge won't make you happy
It can only make you sad
To try to hurt bad people
Will make you just as bad
Scene 3

Pan 1

Narrator:

Laertes was about to leave for France.

Laertes:

Farewell,
  sweet Ophelia, and remember that Hamlet's love for you will not last. He may
  love you now, but he is a prince and cannot choose who he marries, so be
  careful. You must hold back your feelings.

Ophelia:

I will, my dear brother. I promise. Farewell.

Polonius:

Farewell, my son. You have my blessing. Now, my daughter, what is it?
  What has your brother said to you?

Ophelia:

My
  lord, he gave me the same advice as you did in the past; not to encourage
  Hamlet.

Polonius:

Well-thought
  advice. Do not believe Hamlet's vows. They cannot be true.

Ophelia:

My
  lord, he has shown me his affection many times lately but I am frightened.

Polonius:

What is it, in the name of God?

Ophelia:

My lord, as I was sewing in my chamber, Hamlet came to me like a
  madman. He stared and sighed, spoke strangely and then stormed out.

Polonius:

Have you talked to him rudely lately?

Ophelia:

No,
  my lord. I only sent his letters back and did not accept his visits as you
  advised me.

Scene 3

Polonius:

Then
  it is your love that has made him mad. The King must hear this troubling
  news.

Pan2

Narrator:

Polonius decided to speak to the King, who had already asked two of
  Hamlet's old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to come to the castle.
  Meanwhile, Fortinbras' attack against Denmark has been prevented.

Claudius:

Welcome, dear
  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The reason why we have called you here today is
  that we need your help. You must have heard of Hamlet's strange behaviour. I
  ask you both, as his friends, to find out what is troubling him.

So when somebody hurts you Be strong and walk away
Don't try to make them sorry
Don't try to make them pay
REPEAT CHORUS

Gertrude: I am sure there are no
other men to whom he is as close.
Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern: We both obey, your majesties.

Polonius:

My lord, I am worried about Hamlet. He
  has been acting strange lately.

Claudius:

Strange?
  What is wrong with him?

Polonius:

To tell the truth, I think Hamlet is mad. I believe that his love for
  my daughter, Ophelia, is the reason for his madness.

Claudius:

Do you think this is true? How has she received Hamlet?

Polonius:

As
  an honourable father, I advised her to stay away from Hamlet, and this made
  him mad.

Gertrude:

It is very likely.

Polonius:

You know sometimes he walks here. I'll send my daughter to him and we
  will find out if he is mad because of her.

Claudius:

Very well.
  We will try it.

Gertrude:

Here, I see him coming now.

Polonius:

Go away now,
  quickly. Let me speak to him alone.

Polonius:

Good morning, Hamlet. How are you?

Hamlet:

Very well.

Polonius:

What are
  you reading?

Hamlet:

Word, words, words.

Polonius:

Do you know me, my lord?

Hamlet:

Of
  course I know you! You are a fishmonger. Have you got a daughter?

Polonius:

I have, my lord.

Hamlet:

Any
  daughter of yours is not a blessing.

Polonius:

His answers show madness. I will
  leave him and arrange a meeting between him and my daughter soon, and observe
  them to see if love is the cause of his strange behaviour.

Polonius:

I will now
  take your permission to leave, sir.

Hamlet:

The only thing you can take from me is my life.

Polonius:

O dear. Now I am sure. Hamlet is quite mad.

Narrator:

Polonius
  thinks that Hamlet is mad because he is in love with Ophelia. But can love
  really make people crazy?

55
SONG: What Love

Can
  Do
Scene 4

Do you know what love can do?
Love can make your dreams come true
Love can take you low or high
Love
  can make you wonder why
CHORUS:
  Love can bring you happiness
Love can
  make you sad
Love can
  turn your world around
Love can
  make you mad
Love can make you miss someone When
  you are apart
Love can
  make you laugh and cry
Love can break your heart
Everything you've heard is true
There is nothing love can't do Love is
  strange, and love is strong
Love
  can last your whole life long
REPEAT CHORUS

Part 1

Narrator:

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find Hamlet alone in the
  castle.

Hamlet:

Rosencrantz!
  Guildenstern! How are you? What are you doing here in this prison?

Rosencrantz:

Prison, my lord?

Hamlet:

Denmark is a prison.

Guildenstern:

That is not true, my friend.

Hamlet:

It is a prison to me. But, tell me,
  why are you here?

Rosencrantz:

We came to see you.

Hamlet:

Tell me the truth. Did Claudius send you?

Rosencrantz:

What for,
  my lord?

Hamlet:

Be sincere and tell me.

Guildenstern:

Yes,
  my lord, he and your mother are worried about you.

Hamlet:

I
  know the reason. I have lost my joy lately and they want you to find out the
  cause of my misery.

Guildenstern:

I'm sure, my lord, you will cheer
  up soon. We passed some travelling actors on our way here. They are coming to
  perform for the King and Queen.

Hamlet:

My uncle-father and mother are deceived.

Guildenstern:

In what way, my dear lord?

Hamlet:

I am sometimes
  mad, not always. I have an idea! I must go and talk to these actors. They can
  help me with my plan for revenge.

6

Polonius:

The actors have arrived, my lord.

Hamlet:

You are all
  welcome, masters. I am glad to see you well. I would like you to perform a
  play called The Murder of Gonzago, for the King tomorrow night. Do you know
  it?

Actor 1:

Of course, my lord.

Hamlet:

And will you do me one more favour?

Actor 1:

Anything you wish, sir.

Hamlet:

Can you study an
  extra speech which I will add to the play?

Actor 1:

We will be happy to perform your speech, sir.

Hamlet:

Very well. Lead the actors to their rooms.

Polonius:

Yes, my lord.

Hamlet:

My good friends, I will leave you until night.

Rosencrantz:

Good, my lord.

Hamlet:

Murder will
  reveal itself tomorrow night. I can't wait to see Claudius' face when he sees
  the play! The murder is just like the one he committed. The murderer pours
  poison into the victim's ear. I will observe the King's reaction and see if
  he is guilty as the ghost said.

Scene 4

Narrator:

Still worried about
  Hamlet's strange behaviour,

Part 2

Claudius is anxious
  to hear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's report.

Claudius:

Did you find out the cause of Hamlet's
  strange behaviour?

Rosencrantz:

He does
  confess he is not well, my lord, but does not reveal the reason. However, he
  was happy to hear of actors performing at the court tonight.

Polonius:

And
  he asked me to invite your majesties to come and see the play.

Claudius:

With all my heart.
  Good gentlemen, don't leave your friend alone.

Rosencrantz:

We won't, my lord.

Polonius:

Now,
  my lord, about the matter we discussed the other day. Ophelia and Hamlet are
  going to meet here soon. Then you will see that I am right about Hamlet's
  madness being caused by his love for my daughter.

Claudius:

Very well. Gertrude, you must leave us.

5

Gertrude:

Sweet Ophelia,
  I do wish that you are the cause of my son's madness and I really hope you
  will help him be himself again.

Polonius:

We will find out what is wrong with Hamlet. Ophelia will sit here and
  read. We will hide behind this curtain. When Hamlet comes, we will watch him
  and hear what he says.

Claudius:

Good, we must hide now, Hamlet is coming.

Hamlet:

To be, or not to be; that is the question: whether it is better to
  suffer the difficulties of life or to die, to sleep and end the torture. Is
  it the fear of something after death, something unknown that makes us live
  and bear our burden?

Ophelia:

My lord, Hamlet, how are you?

Hamlet:

I thank you; well.

Ophelia:

My lord, I wish to
  return some gifts you gave me.

Hamlet:

I did not give you any gifts.

Ophelia:

You
  know right well you did, and you gave them to me with sweet words.

Hamlet:

I did love you once.

Ophelia:

Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.

Hamlet:

You should not have believed me. I
  never loved you!

Ophelia:

Was I
  deceived then?

Hamlet:

Go to a nunnery. And if you wish to marry, marry a fool. Because you
  women take advantage of wise men. Go to a nunnery, quickly!

Ophelia:

O heaven, help him!

Hamlet:

And I know of your tricks, too. God gives you a face, and you paint it
  and change it. So no more marriages! To a nunnery, go!

Ophelia:

His mind is damaged! He is overcome
  by madness!

Polonius:

It is true. Hamlet
  is mad because of his love for my daughter.

Claudius:

No,
  it is not love that bothers him. There is something dangerous in his soul
  that troubles him. Let us send him off to England. A change of scenery may do
  him good.

Polonius:

My
  lord, I still believe his love for my daughtek is the cause of his madness.
  Let his mother speak to him first. If she cannot explain his madness, then
  send him to England.

Rosencrantz:
Narrator:
Hamlet:
Actor
    1:
Hamlet:
Horatio:
Hamlet:
Gertrude:
Hamlet:
Polonius:
Ophelia:
Hamlet:
Ophelia:
Hamlet:
Narrator:
Ophelia:
Hamlet:
Actor 2:
Claudius:
Polonius:
Hamlet:
Horatio:
Hamlet:
Horatio:

My lord! Hamlet wishes everyone to come to the hall.
    Everything is ready for the play!
At the sound
    of trumpets and drums everyone took their seats. Before the play began,
    Hamlet talked to the actors and Horatio. Here is my speech. Read it well.
We
    will, sir. Thank you.
My dear
    Horatio, I want you to watch Claudius during the play. I trust your
    judgment, so observe him well. We will soon see if what the ghost said was
    true.
will, my lord.
Come
    everyone, the play is starting!
Come
    here, my dear Hamlet, sit by me.
No, good
    Mother. I'd rather sit by Ophelia. She is more attractive.
Do
    you see this, my lord?
You
    are in a good mood, my lord.
Why should I
    not be in a good mood? Look how cheerful my mother looks, and it's two
    hours since my father died.
Two
    months, my lord.
So long? Two months, and I'm still mourning? O heavens!
The play begins, and, as it progresses, the
    audience witnesses the scene where the murderer pours poison into the ear
    of his brother, the King, while he is sleeping in his orchard.
What is happening, Hamlet? I don't understand.
Look, Ophelia.
    The King is sleeping. The murderer is pouring poison into the King's ear.
My brother,
    the King, is dead! Now I can wear his crown and marry his wife!
Give me some light! I want to leave!
Lights!
    Lights!
Did
    you see, Horatio?
Very well, my lord.
Did
    you notice the King when the actors talked of poisoning?
noticed very well, my lord.

Scene 5
5

                                                                   Hamlet:             The
ghost was right!
Guildenstern: Hamlet, your father is
very angry. And your mother wishes to see you in her room.
Hamlet:              Then
I must go to her. Now that I know the truth I could do terrible things! Leave
me, you cheat!
Rosencrantz: Hamlet, please don't be
hostile to us. You loved us once.
Hamlet: Say what you want. You can
irritate me but you can never deceive me.
Narrator: Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern are pretending to be Hamlet's friends. They are spying on him,
but they are setting their own trap.

If someone thinks about you
And will be there till the end If someone cares about
you
Then you know you've got a friend
CHORUS: True friends will never
hurt you
They'll never tell a lie True
friends will never trick you
And they'll never make you cry  true friend will support you
They'll be there when you call  true
friend tries to help you
And to catch you when you fall
We all need someone special To listen and to care
True friends are truly special
Because they're always there
REPEÅT CHORUS

Narrator:
Guildenstern and Rosencrantz find Claudius. They tell him about Hamlet's
coldness, and the King is afraid. He is upset about the play and knows that
something is wrong.
Claudius:
Hamlet is becoming dangerous. I will not tolerate his madness anymore. He must
leave Denmark at once. I want you to take him to England. Prepare yourselves.
Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern: Yes, my lord.
Claudius: O what a
terrible thing I have done! To murder my own brother is the worst crime. I must
pray, but what prayer can forgive me? I still have my crown, my ambition and my
queen. These are the proof of my guilt.

Hamlet:

It would be easy to kill him now. But no; if I kill him while he's
    praying, he Will go to heaven, and that is not revenge. I will wait until
    he does something really sinful. This is when I'll strike and send his soul
    to hell.

Claudius:

My prayer is empty of meaning. I can't say I'm sorry for my action
    when I'm happy to be King.

Scene 6 Part
2

Narrator:
Polonius:
Gertrude:
Hamlet:
Gertrude:
Hamlet:
Gertrude: Hamlet:
Gertrude:
Hamlet:
Gertrude: Hamlet:
Gertrude:
Polonius:
Hamlet:
Gertrude: Hamlet:
Gertrude:
Hamlet:
Gertrude:
Hamlet:

Terribly upset about the play, Gertrude is waiting
  for Hamlet.
My lady, you must be
  strict with Hamlet. Tell him that you cannot tolerate his behaviour anymore.
I will, but you must hide, Polonius! Hamlet is coming!
Now, Mother, what's the matter?
Hamlet,
  you have offended your father greatly!
No,
  Mother. You have offended my father greatly!
You
  are very thoughtless.
You
  are very sinful.
What is
  this, Hamlet? Don't you respect your own mother?
I wish you were not my mother! You
  are my father's brother's wife!
I cannot
  tolerate this rudeness!
You
  will stay here! Sit down!
Let
  go of me, Hamlet! Help, help!
Help!
What is that behind
  the curtain? Is it a rat? Away with it!
What have you done?
Is
  it the King? No! It is Polonius. The old fool!
O
  Hamlet! What a terrible thing this is!
Almost as terrible,
  Stepmother, as murdering a king and marrying his brother.
As murdering a king?
  What have I done to deserve this, Hamlet?
Look
  at this, Mother. This was your husband. And now, here is your present
  husband. How could you lose this good, loving man and marry this other evil,
  selfish creature? And you feel no shame!

Gertrude:

Hamlet,
  you've made me see into my soul and I can't bear it!

Hamlet:

To
  live with an evil murderer who stole the crown he wears.

Gertrude:

Speak to me no more, I beg you!

Hamlet:

Father! Have you
  come to remind me of the promise I gave you?

Ghost:

Do not forget your
  purpose. But look at your mother. She is in shock. Talk to her.

Gertrude:

Hamlet, who are you talking to?

Hamlet:

It is my father,
  Mother. There, look at him. He is leaving the room.

Gertrude:

I see nothing but
  ourselves. It is your imagination.

Hamlet:

This is not madness, Mother. I am not mad
  but cunning.

Gertrude:

I'm speechless. What shall I do?

Hamlet:

Repent for what
  you did and stay away from the King.

Gertrude:

I will, my lord. I assure you.

Scene 7

Hamlet:

Now I must go to England with my two school fellows. There is a letter
  sealed, and those snakes are setting a trap for me. Come, sir, to finish with
  you. Goodnight, Mother.

Part 1

Narrator:

Back
  at the court, Gertrude was so upset that Claudius could see something was
  wrong.

Claudius:

My dear, why are you sighing? You
  look ill! What happened? Where is your son?

Gertrude:

O,
  Claudius! In his madness Hamlet killed good Polonius, who was hidden behind
  the curtain.

Claudius:

He
  did such a thing! If I had hidden there, I would be dead now! What are we
  going to tell the court? Rosencrantz! Guildenstern!

Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern:

Yes, my lord?

Claudius:

I
  need your help. Find Hamlet and bring Polonius' body to the chapel.

Scene 7

Rosencrantz:

Of course, my lord.

Part 2

Narrator:

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find Hamlet.

Rosencrantz:

Hamlet! What have
  you done with Polonius' body?

Hamlet:             I put it in the ground,
  where it belongs.
Rosencrantz:      Please, sir. Tell us where you buried it
  so that we can take it to the chapel.
Hamlet: I'm not
  going to answer a sponge like you. The King squeezes you to get what he
  wants.
Rosencrantz: I do not
  understand you, my lord. Tell us where the body is.
Hamlet: The body is
  with the King but the King is not with the body.
Rosencrantz:    Then
  you must come with us to see the King.
Guildenstern: My
  lord, Hamlet will not tell us where the body is.
Claudius: Hamlet, I
  am worried about what you have done and I am afraid for your safety. You must
  leave for England at once. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern will go with you.
  Prepare yourself. Everything is ready for England.
Hamlet:            For
  England? Good. Goodbye, dear Mother.
Claudius:            Won't
  you say goodbye to your father, Hamlet?
Hamlet:             Come,
  for England.
Claudius: Follow
  him at once. Make sure he leaves tonight, for everything is sealed in this
  letter. Away!
Guildenstern:     Yes,
  my lord.
Claudius: King
  of England, you must do as I have asked you in my letter. Hamlet is like a
  fever in my blood and the only cure is his immediate death.
Narrator:
  The only thing Claudius is interested in is power. He believes that power is
  more important than family. Do you think he is right?
When troubles get you down You know
  just who to call Your family can help
They
  know you best of all
CHORUS: Family comes first
They're
  always there for you
When times are good or bad Their
  love is always true
Your family support you
They're there through thick and thin
Your family's a team
Together you can win REPEAT
  CHORUS

SONG:
Family
63

Narrator:

On
  his way to the ship Hamlet met an army marching over the fields.

Hamlet:

Whose forces are these, sir?

Captain:

They
  are of Norway, sir. We are going to attack Poland under the command of young
  Fortinbras.

Hamlet:

What part of the country are you fighting for?

Captain:

To
  tell you the truth, we're fighting for a little piece of land that's
  worthless.

Hamlet:

Two
  thousand souls fighting over something insignificant. Thank you, sir.
  Goodbye.

Captain:

God be with you, sir.

Rosencrantz:

Shall we go on, my lord?

Hamlet:

Walk ahead and I will be straight with you.

Hamlet:

Look
  how this army ignores danger and takes action. l, that have a father killed
  and a mother dishonoured, do nothing, and these men are prepared to
  die for a tiny piece of land. I should feel ashamed. I promise I'll take
  revenge!

Narrator:

Hamlet's
  madness and Polonius' death have caused Ophelia to behave in a very strange
  way.

Ophelia:

He
  is dead and gone. White as the mountain snow. They say the
  owl was a baker's daughter.

Claudius:

This is the result of deep sorrow! O, Gertrude, she has lost her mind.
  Her father dead and secretly buried, your son gone. And the people are
  whispering to each other.

Laertes:

You evil king! What did you do to my father?

Gertrude:

Calmly, good Laertes.

Claudius:

Laertes, your
  father is dead, but I did not kill him.

Laertes:

Come what may,
  I'll take revenge! What is this noise? Sweet Ophelia! Look at her! Do you see
  this, o God?

Claudius:

Laertes, I share
  your sadness. Please, come with me and we will set things right.

Laertes:

Why haven't you punished the guilty one?

Claudius:

The
  Queen, his mother, and the people love Hamlet dearly. I cannot fight their
  love for him and upset the Kingdom.

34
:ene 8
Narrator:
Meanwhile, some sailors bring Horatio a letter from Hamlet. When Horatio reads
it, he is very surprised.
                                                  Horatio:              Horatio,
Take
the sailors to the King as they have letters for him too. They will
bring you to me. While we

Sailors:
Horatio:
Narrator:
Claudius:
Claudius:
Laertes:
Claudius:
Laertes:
Claudius:
Laertes:
Claudius:
Gertrude:
Laertes:
Gertrude:
Narrator:

were
  sailing, pirates took over our ship. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are
  on their way to England. Of
  them I have much to tell you. Your friend,
Hamlet
Here
  are the letters for the King and Queen.
Take them to the King and then take
  me to Hamlet.
When Claudius read the
  letter from Hamlet, he couldn't believe his eyes.
My lord,
am back in Denmark. I will come
  to the castle tomorrow and tell you the reasons for my return. Hamlet
What does this mean? What
  about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Let him come, my lord. This way I will
  take revenge for my father's death.
You are right, but we
  must be careful. I have a plan. You and Hamlet will fight a duel.
A duel?
Yes. It must look like
  a fair fight, but you will choose a sharpened sword and he a blunted one.
And to be sure Hamlet
  won't escape death, I will poison my sword.
And
  even if he escapes your hit, when he feels hot and asks for drink, I will
  give him a poisoned one.
O my lord! O dear Laertes! One tragedy
  follows another. Ophelia has drowned!
Drowned? Where?
By the river.
  She climbed a tree to hang her flowers when a branch broke and she fell into
  the water.
Hamlet has killed Polonius, and now Laertes wants to kill Hamlet. But
  do you think two wrongs can make a right?

Scene 8
Part 4
65

Narrator:

Hamlet and Horatio were on their way to the castle when
  they saw two men digging a grave.

Gravedigger 1:

Is
  she to be given a proper burial? How can that be since she drowned herself?

Gravedigger 2:

Do you want the truth? If she had not been someone important, she
  wouldn't be given a proper burial.

Gravedigger 1

Give me my spade now
  and bring me something to drink.

Hamlet:

Whose grave
  is this?

Gravedigger 1:

Mine, sir. I'm not lying in it, and yet it is mine.

Hamlet:

This
  is for the dead so you are lying. What man are you digging it for?

Gravedigger 1:

For no man.

Hamlet:

I see. What woman is it for, then?

Gravedigger 1 :

For no woman.

Hamlet:

Not for a man and
  not for a woman! Who is it for,

When somebody hurts you
You want to hurt them, too
But when you act in anger The one you
hurt is you
CHORUS: Anger gets you nowhere
Two wrongs don't make a right
Anger makes you crazy
So just give up the fight
Don't make matters even worse
Don 't do another wrong
Put away your anger
Ånd prove that you are strong
Anger can destroy you
It turns your heart to stone Anger
drives your friends away And leaves you all alone

REPEAT
CHORUS
then?
Gravedigger 1: For one that was a woman but now is dead.
Hamlet: How cleverly
he uses words! Tell me, how long have you been a grave maker?
Gravedigger 1 : Since the day young
Hamlet was born — he that was mad and sent to England.
Scene 9 Part 2

Hamlet: How long do
  bodies lie in the ground before they rot away and turn into dust?
Gravedigger 1: Well,
  this skull here has been in the earth for twenty-three years.
Hamlet:           Whose was it?
Gravedigger
  2: Yorick's. He was the King's jester.
Hamlet: Alas, poor Yorick! I knew
  him, Horatio. He carried me on his back a thousand times. Look at him now.
  How horrible! We will all follow him sooner or later. Even great men die and
  turn into dust. Of dust we are made and to dust we return! But look! Here
  comes the King and Queen and courtiers. Who is it they follow? Let us hide
  back here and watch.
Laertes:             Can't
  we do anything more for her?
Priest: The
  most we can do is pray since her death might be suicide. Anything more would
  be unholy for the dead. Stones should be thrown on her instead.
Laertes:              I tell you, priest, my sister will be
  an angel while you rot in hell! Lay her in the earth.
Hamlet:              What,
  fair Ophelia!
Gertrude: Farewell,
  sweet Ophelia. I hoped you would have been my Hamlet's wife.
Laertes: Cursed be
  the one who did this to you! Wait, I want to hold her in my arms once more.
Hamlet: If there is
  someone whose grief is unbearable, it is me, Hamlet of Denmark.
Laertes:              The
  devil take your soul.
Hamlet: Take
  your fingers from my throat for I am dangerous. Away your hand. I would do
  anything for her. What would you do? I would be buried alive with her.
Claudius:
  This is madness. Pull them apart! Laertes, remember our plan and be patient.
  And you, Gertrude, keep an eye on your son.
Narrator:             Hamlet really loved
  Ophelia, but he did not tell
her until it was too late.
We don't know what will happen
Or what's around the bend
Maybe things will change soon
Or maybe they will end

q.
         SONG: Always
"l Love
6

Narrator:

Hamlet was very upset. He returned to the castle, with
  Horatio.

Hamlet:

Do you remember the situation
  before I came back?

Horatio:

Yes, my lord.

Hamlet:

When we were on
  the ship, something in my heart would not let me sleep. In the dark, I looked
  in Rosencrantz's and Guildenstern's bags and found a letter from the King. He
  had written it to the King of England and told him to cut off my head!

Horatio:

Is it
  possible? It can't be true!

Hamlet:

It is true. Here
  is the letter. You can read it later, but listen what I did next.

Horatio:

What did you do, my lord?

Hamlet:

I wrote a new letter and exchanged it with the original. Now the King
  of England will arrange two deaths instead of one!

Horatio:

You asked the King of England to kill
  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

Hamlet:

Those spies deserve to die! I have a clear conscience. The next day,
  the pirates attacked the ship, and you know the rest of the story.

Horatio:

What a king this is!

Hamlet:

He will soon find out
  about things in England. But I am very sorry that I was violent to
  Laertes. We have the same desire; to avenge our fathers' deaths.

Messenger:

My lord, I
  bring news from the King. He wants you to fight a duel with Laertes. He has
  bet that you will win.

Hamlet:

Then
  we will meet in the throne room. I will win for the King if I can; if not I
  will gain nothing but my shame.

Messenger:

I will deliver the message, my lord.

CHORUS:
Always say "l Love You"
Don't ever try to wait
Always share your feelings
Before it is too late

If you love somebody
Tell them right away Don't waste another minute Share your
love today
REPEAT CHORUS

Hamlet:

Horatio, it is foolish but I have a fear in me.

Horatio:

Don't go then, my
  lord. •I'll tell them you are not

cene 10

well.

brt2

Hamlet:

One must be ready
  for death. It will come sooner or later.

Narrator:

When
  Hamlet entered the throne room, everyone was in their seats.

Claudius:

Come, Hamlet. Shake Laertes' hand.

Hamlet:

Laertes,
  forgive me. I know I've wronged you but it was my madness, not me.

Laertes:

Let's start. This duel will be a friendly fight.

Claudius:

Now, Laertes, choose your sword.

Laertes:

I will take this one.

Hamlet:

Then let us fight as friends! Here's one!

Laertes:

Just a scratch.

Claudius:

Hamlet, here is a drink for you! To your health!

Hamlet:

Not now. Later. Here's another!

Laertes:

Only a touch again.

Gertrude:

I drink to you, Hamlet!

Claudius:

No! Gertrude, do not drink.

Laertes:

I have you now!

Laertes:

Wait! That
  is my sword!

Hamlet:

Here's the other. Take that!

Laertes:

I have been killed by my own treachery.

Servant:

Look at the Queen!

Claudius:

She fainted to see them bleed.

Gertrude:

No,
  no, the drink, the drink! My dear Hamlet, I've been poisoned.

Hamlet:

Lock the door and find the guilty one!

Laertes:

Hamlet,
  you are dying too. The murderous sword is in your hand, sharpened and
  poisoned. And now I am justly killed. Your mother has been poisoned. The King
  is to blame.

Hamlet:

You evil murderer, take this and finish
  your wine! Follow my mother!

Claudius:

Hamlet! No!

Horatio:

Here's some wine
  left. I will die with you, my lord.

Hamlet:

Give
  me the cup, Horatio. If you ever thought me a dear friend, you must live to
  tell my story.

Servant:

Prince
  Fortinbras of Norway and the English ambassadors have arrived.

Hamlet:

I'm
  dying, Horatio! I cannot live to hear the news from England but I do give
  Fortinbras my dying vote for King. Tell him all that has happened. O, o!

Ambassador 1:
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.

Horatio:

Let me speak to all
  of you of how things have happened. I will explain everything.

Fortinbras:

We
  will all hear you with no delay. But first, let four captains carry Hamlet
  like a soldier, for he would have been an excellent King. Let the

SONG: Forgive and

soldiers' music
  play loudly for him. Take up the

Forget

body.
  Go, order the soldiers to shoot and give Hamlet the royal burial he deserves.

What can we learn from this story?
It's clear that
revenge doesn't pay Plans for revenge have their dangers There must be an
easier way
CHORUS: Anger's a dangerous feeling
So even when
you are upset
Just walk away from your anger
And try to forgive and forget
Look at this unhappy ending
Now you must know that it's true
Getting revenge only hurts you
Forgiving's the right thing to do
REPEAT CHORUS

ISBN
    978-5-09-026172-2
9 785090 261722

английский язык

group: Дисциплины

title: Компоненты УМК Spotlight 11