Act 1

Scene 1

In front of Elsinore Castle, Denmark.

[Enter Horatio and Marcellus, an officer.]

marcellus. Horatio, do you think it'll come again tonight?

horatio. My dear Marcellus, I told you before, I don't believe in ghosts! I think you were dreaming the other night when you were with Bernardo.

marcellus. You're wrong, Horatio. Bernardo saw it too. Look, it's coming!

[Enter ghost.]

marcellus. Can you see it, Horatio? Isn't it like our dead King?

horatio. You're right, Marcellus, this ghost is very like our poor dead King. I'll try to speak to it, even if I'm afraid of it. Ghost, why have you come here this night?

marcellus. Oh no! It's going away. Maybe it's angry.

horatio. No! Wait! Speak to us!

[Exit ghost.]

marcellus. Do you believe me now, Horatio?

horatio. Yes, the ghost of our dear King, dressed for war. I'm afraid this means something bad is going to happen to Denmark. When our dear, dead King, Hamlet, won the war against Norway, he took a lot of their cities. Now, the young Prince of Norway, Fortinbras, wants to make war with Denmark to win them back. I must tell young Hamlet. Maybe the ghost will speak to him.

marcellus. Yes, let's go and tell him now!

[Exit all.]

Scene 2

A Room in the Castle. [Enter Claudius King of Denmark, Queen Gertrude, Hamlet, Polonius and Laertes.]

king. My dear brother, Hamlet, died not long ago, but we have much to be happy about. I've married my brother's wife, Queen Gertrude, and we'll make Denmark stronger than ever before. A message has come from young Fortinbras. Now that my brother is dead, he wants the cities back that Hamlet won in the war. Never! I've written a letter to the King of Norway, Fortinbras' old uncle, telling him no. Now, Laertes, what about you?

laertes. I came here to see you become King. Now I'd like to return to France where I was before.

king. Does your father agree? What do you say Polonius?

polonius. Yes, I agree, my dear King.

king. Well, you can go then, Laertes. Now, Hamlet, my nephew and my son, why are you still so sad and wearing black?

queen. Yes, good Hamlet, take off those dark clothes. Let Denmark see that you're happy again. Stop thinking of your dead father. You know that everybody must die one day.

hamlet. Yes, this I know, mother, but these dark, heavy clothes are nothing. My heart is heavier with sad thoughts for my father.

king. Believe me, Hamlet, I understand you, but you must look to the future now. Your father lost his father; it's all part of nature. Think of me as your father now. One day, you'll become King of Denmark. So, I ask you to stay here with your mother and I and not to go back to school in Wittenberg.

queen. Yes, please, Hamlet, stay with us.

hamlet. I'll do as you ask, mother.

king. Wonderful! We must have a party! Come, Gertrude.

[Exit King, Queen, Laertes and Polonius.]

hamlet. Oh, I want to die! I lost my poor father just two months ago and already, my mother has another husband, my father's terrible brother. What happened to the love between my mother and father? Now she has given her love to another man, so easily and so soon! However, I can't tell anybody these things and my heart is breaking.

[Enter Horatio and Marcellus.]

horatio. Hamlet, my good friend!

hamlet. Horatio, Marcellus! Why are you here, in Elsinore?

horatio. We came when we heard about your father.

hamlet. You're very kind, my good friends, but I think you also came for my mother's wedding.

horatio. Well, yes, it all happened very quickly.

hamlet. Too quickly for me! I can still see my father.

horatio. Oh! Where?

hamlet. In my head. But why such a strange question?

horatio. We think we saw your father's ghost last night.

hamlet. What? Where?

horatio. Marcellus saw him the night before too, and asked me to watch with him outside the castle last night. I didn't believe him. Then, I saw it with my own eyes.

hamlet. Did you speak to this ghost?

horatio. I tried, but it didn't answer. Please, come and watch with us tonight, Hamlet. I'm sure your father's ghost will speak to you.

hamlet. This is all very strange. Don't tell anybody else. I'll come tonight between eleven and twelve.

horatio. We'll wait for you.

[Exit Horatio and Marcellus.]

hamlet. Can this all be true? I'll see tonight!

[Exit Hamlet.]

Scene 3

A Room in Polonius' House. [Enter Laertes and Ophelia.]

laertes. Ophelia, my dear sister. I've come to say goodbye. I'm going back to France and the ship is waiting for me.

ophelia. I'll write to you, my dear brother.

laertes. I'm glad of that. But remember, Ophelia, don't listen to Hamlet when he says he loves you. One day he'll be King so you can never be his wife. Don't let him play with your love.

ophelia. I'll remember your words dear Laertes. Take care.

laertes. Don't worry about me. Oh! Here's father.

[Enter Polonius.]

polonius. Are you still here, Laertes? Your ship is waiting for you. But before you go, listen to your father. Remember, when you're in France, don't say everything you think, and don't do everything that comes into your head. Be nice to people, but not too friendly. Don't get angry with people, but don't be too kind. Listen more than you talk. Dress well but not too well. Don't borrow any money and don't give any to anybody. Finally, always be true to yourself.

laertes. Thank you father for your advice but I really must go now. Goodbye father, goodbye Ophelia, and remember my words.

[Exit Laertes.]

polonius. What did Laertes say to you, Ophelia?

ophelia. It was about Hamlet.

polonius. Recently, I've seen you and Hamlet often together. What does Hamlet want from you?

ophelia. Oh father, he says he loves me!

polonius. My dear daughter, you're too young to understand about love. I'm sure Hamlet is just using you. Please, don't speak to him anymore.

ophelia. But father, he's done nothing to hurt me. He sends me letters full of sweet words.

polonius. Enough child! Hamlet is a prince. You can never be his wife. Now, you're too young to know better, but when you're older you'll thank me.

ophelia. Alright father, I'll do as you ask.

[Exit all.]

Scene 4

In front of Elsinore Castle. [Enter Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus.]

hamlet. It's a very cold night. What time is it?

[sound of music.]

horatio. Almost midnight. I can hear music. Where's it coming from?

hamlet. It's the King. He's having a party. He does this often, and all the world is laughing at Denmark! It's terrible!

[Enter ghost.]

horatio. Look, Hamlet, the ghost is here.

hamlet. Ah! You're so like my father. Please, speak to me.

hamlet. Look, my friends, it wants me to follow it.

marcellus. Don't go, Hamlet!

horatio. Yes, stay with us. Maybe it's dangerous.

hamlet. Then, I'll stay here near the castle, but leave me alone with the ghost.

horatio. Alright. Come Marcellus, we'll wait for Hamlet inside.

[Exit Horatio and Marcellus.]

hamlet. Now we're alone, speak to me.

ghost. Hamlet, I'm the ghost of your father and I've come to tell you how I died.

hamlet. I'm listening.

ghost. Everyone thinks a snake killed me, but while I was sleeping in my garden, somebody came and put poison in my ear. That snake is now King of Denmark.

hamlet. Do you mean, Claudius, your brother, killed you?

ghost. Yes... Now you must kill Claudius for me, but don't hurt your mother and don't tell anybody about our meeting.

hamlet. I'll do all you ask, dear father.

ghost. Morning is here, I must go, dear Hamlet, but remember me.

[Exit ghost.]

hamlet. Oh sad day! Horatio and Marcellus mustn't speak about the ghost and I can't tell them my father's terrible story. I must keep it in my heavy heart and I'll act as if I'm mad to cover my plans.

[Enter Horatio and Marcellus.]

horatio. Hamlet, we couldn't wait anymore. We were worried.

marcellus. Are you alright, Hamlet?

hamlet. Yes, but sadder than before.

horatio. Please, tell us what happened. Did the ghost speak to you?

hamlet. Yes, and now my heart is heavier than before.

horatio. But why? Tell us dear Hamlet. Maybe we can help.

hamlet. I'm sorry, my friends, but I can say nothing. But one thing, I must ask you. Please, don't tell anybody about what you've seen.

horatio. We won't, you can be sure of that.

marcellus. Can we help you in any other way?

hamlet. Try to understand me and don't listen to the others when they say I'm mad.

horatio. Of course you aren't mad, Hamlet!

hamlet. Remember this well in the future my dear friends. Now let's go and sleep. The night has been very long and full of dark thoughts.

[Exit all.]