Hamlet: Act 5, Scene 2
Enter HAMLET and HORATIO.
HAMLET
1
So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other;
1. see the other: i.e., hear the other news. Apparently we catch Hamlet and Horatio in the middle of a conversation about Hamlet's adventures from the time that he left Denmark until he returned.
2
You do remember all the circumstance?
HORATIO
3
Remember it, my lord?
HAMLET
4
Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting,
5
That would not let me sleep: methought I lay
6
Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly
6. the . . bilboes: rebels in shackles. Rashly: on impulse.
7
And praised be rashness for itlet us know,
7. know: recognize, understand.
8
Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well,
9
When our deep plots do pall: and that should learn us
9. pall: fail. learn: teach.
10
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
10. shapes our ends: gives final shape to the outcomes of our plans.
11
Rough-hew them how we will
11. Rough-hew them how we will: i.e., no matter how we make our initial plans.
HORATIO
That is most certain.
HAMLET
12
Up from my cabin,
13
My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark
14
Groped I to find out them; had my desire.
14. Groped . . . them: I rummaged around to find out what they (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern) were up to.
15
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew
15. Finger'd: stole. in fine: at the end.
16
To mine own room again; making so bold,
17
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal
17. My fears forgetting manners: i.e., my fears making me forget my manners. ...more
18
Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio
18. Their grand commission: i.e., King Claudius's letter to England, entrusted to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
19
O royal knavery!an exact command,
20
Larded with many several sorts of reasons
21
Importing Denmark's health and England's too,
20-21. Larded: loaded. Importing: relating to.
22
With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,
22. bugs . . . goblins: bugaboos and hobgoblins.
23
That, on the supervise, no leisure bated,
23. supervise: [first] reading. no leisure bated: i.e., no wasted time allowed.
24
No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,
24. stay: wait for.
25
My head should be struck off.
HORATIO
Is't possible?
HAMLET
26
Here's the commission: read it at more leisure.
26. the commission: i.e., the letter which demands that the King of England to chop off Hamlet's head.
27
But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?
HORATIO
28
I beseech you.
HAMLET
29
Being thus be-netted round with villanies
30
Or I could make a prologue to my brains,
31
They had begun the playI sat me down,
30-31. Or . . . play: i.e., before I could consciously pose the problem to my brain, it had started working on a plan.
32
Devised a new commission, wrote it fair:
32. fair: i.e., with legible handwriting.
33
I once did hold it, as our statists do,
33. statists: statesmen, public officials.
34
A baseness to write fair and labour'd much
34. A baseness: i.e., a skill befitting men of low rank.
35
How to forget that learning, but, sir, now
36
It did me yeoman's service: wilt thou know
36. yeoman's: i.e., workman-like.
37
The effect of what I wrote?
37. effect: purport.
HORATIO
Ay, good my lord.
HAMLET
38
An earnest conjuration from the king,
39
As England was his faithful tributary,
40
As love between them like the palm might flourish,
41
As peace should still her wheaten garland wear
41. still: always. wheaten garland: garland of the harvest.
42
And stand a comma 'tween their amities,
42. stand . . . amities: join together the loving friendship [of the kings]. ...more
43
And many such-like 'As'es of great charge,
43. 'As'es of great charge: i.e., important sounding statements beginning with 'as'.
44
That, on the view and knowing of these contents,
45
Without debatement further, more or less,
46
He should the bearers put to sudden death,
47
Not shriving-time allow'd.
47. shriving-time: time for confession and absolution. It was customary for even the worst criminal to have shriving time before his execution.
HORATIO
How was this seal'd?
HAMLET
48. ordinant: ordaining the outcome.
48
Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.
49
I had my father's signet in my purse,
49. signet: signet ring. ...more
50
Which was the model of that Danish seal;
50. model: small copy. Danish seal: i.e., the royal seal.
51
Folded the writ up in form of the other,
51. folded ... other: i.e., folded the fake document in the same way as the official one.
52
Subscrib'd it, gave't the impression, placed it safely,
52. Subscrib'd . . . impression: signed and sealed it.
53
The changeling never known. Now, the next day
52-53. placed . . . known: i.e., put the changeling in the diplomatic pouch without anyone knowing. ...more
54
Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent
55
Thou know'st already.
54-55. what . . . already: what happened afterwards you already know.
HORATIO
56. go to't: i.e., are going to their death.
56
So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.
HAMLET
57
Why, man, they did make love to this employment;
58
They are not near my conscience; their defeat
58. defeat: ruin.
59
Does by their own insinuation grow:
59. insinuation: winding their way into things.
60
'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes
60. baser: inferior.
61
Between the pass and fell incensed points
62
Of mighty opposites.
61-62. Between the pass and fell incensed points / Of mighty opposites: Between the thrusts of the mortally angry swords of mighty opponents.
HORATIO
Why, what a king is this!
HAMLET
63
Does it not, think'st thee, stand me now upon
63. stand me now upon: i.e., rest upon me [as duty]. Hamlet's question isn't completed until line 68.
64
He that hath kill'd my king and whored my mother,
65
Popp'd in between the election and my hopes,
65. election: The King of Denmark was elected. ...more
66
Thrown out his angle for my proper life,
66. angle: hook and line. proper life: very life.
67
And with such cozenageis't not perfect conscience,
67. cozenage: trickery.
68
To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn'd,
68. quit him: pay him back.
69
To let this canker of our nature come
70
In further evil?
69-70. canker of our nature: cancerous sore on human nature. come / In: grow into.
HORATIO
71
It must be shortly known to him from England
72
What is the issue of the business there.
HAMLET
73
It will be short: the interim is mine;
74
And a man's life's no more than to say "One."
74. a man's . . . say "One": i.e., to kill a man takes no more time than to count to one.
75
But I am very sorry, good Horatio,
76
That to Laertes I forgot myself;
77
For, by the image of my cause, I see
78
The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours.
77-78. by . . . his: i.e., by thinking about my anger against King Claudius, I can understand Laertes' anger against me.
79
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me
79. bravery: melodramatic expression.
80
Into a towering passion.
HORATIO
Peace, who comes here?
Enter [OSRIC,] a courtier.
Robin Williams as Osric
--1996 film--
OSRIC
81
Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.
HAMLET
82
I humbly thank you, sir.
[Aside to Horatio.]
Dost know this water-fly?
HORATIO
83
No, my good lord.
HAMLET
84
Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to
84. gracious: virtuous.
85
know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a
86
beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at
87
the king's mess: 'tis a chough; but, as I say,
85-87. let a beast . . . mess: i.e., if a beast owned as many cattle as Osric does, the beast could have his feed trough at the king's table. chough: jackdaw. The jackdaw is a member of the crow family that can be taught a word or two. Hamlet's point about Osric is that Osric talks a lot of nonsense.
88
spacious in the possession of dirt.
OSRIC
89
Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I
90
should impart a thing to you from his majesty.
HAMLET
91
I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of
92
spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; 'tis for
92. bonnet: hat.
I'm sure that the rich and silly Osric is trying to make a fashion statement with his hat. Maybe it was a Round Tipped Pleated Hat, which was a popular style about the time Hamlet was first put on stage.
93
the head.
OSRIC
94
I thank your lordship, it is very hot.
HAMLET
95
No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is
96
northerly.
OSRIC
97
It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
97. indifferent: somewhat.
HAMLET
98
But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot
99
for my complexion.
99. complexion: bodily constitution.
OSRIC
100
Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultryas
101
'twereI cannot tell how. But, my lord, his
102
majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a
103
great wager on your head: sir, this is the matter
HAMLET
104
I beseech you, remember
[Hamlet motions him to put on his hat.]
OSRIC
105
Nay, good my lord; for my ease, in good faith.
105. for my ease: i.e., I am really more comfortable with my hat off.
106
Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe
107
me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent
107. absolute: complete.
108
differences, of very soft society and great showing:
107-108. full . . . showing: i.e., full of attractive characteristics and having agreeable manners and a pleasant appearance.
109
indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or
110
calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the
109-110. card or calendar of gentry: chart or register of all gentlemanly qualities.
111
continent of what part a gentleman would see.
111. continent . . . see: i.e., the container of every quality a gentleman would admire in another gentleman.
HAMLET
112
Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you;
112. definement: definition. no perdition in you: i.e., no loss in your description. Hamlet is mocking Osric's fancy talk.
113
though, I know, to divide him inventorially would
113. divide him inventorially: i.e., enumerate his graces.
114
dozy the arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw
114. dozy: make dizzy. yaw: continually wander off course.
115
neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the
116
verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of
117
great article; and his infusion of such dearth and
115-117. But . . . article: but in the truth of praise, I take him to be a very notable personage.
118
rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his
117-118. his . . . rareness: his essential character of such scarceness and rareness. make true diction: speak truly.
119
semblable is his mirror; and who else would trace
120
him, his umbrage, nothing more.
118-120. his semblable ... nothing more: his only likeness is to be found in his mirror, and anyone else who tries to be like him is merely his shadow, nothing more.
OSRIC
121
Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
HAMLET
122
The concernancy, sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman
122. concernancy: relevance.
123
in our more rawer breath?
123. more rawer breath: i.e., words too crude. These three words are redundant in both sound and sense.
OSRIC
124
Sir?
HORATIO
125
Is't not possible to understand in another tongue?
125. Is't . . . tongue?: i.e., Can't you to understand the kind of language you use when someone else speaks it?
126
You will do't, sir, really.
126. You ... really: i.e., you can understand what Hamlet is saying if you really try (??).
HAMLET
127
What imports the nomination of this
128
gentleman?
127-128. What imports the nomination of this gentleman?: What is the significance of mentioning this gentleman?
OSRIC
129
Of Laertes?
HORATIO
130
His purse is empty already; all's golden words
131
are spent.
HAMLET
132
Of him, sir.
OSRIC
133
I know you are not ignorant
HAMLET
134
I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did,
135
it would not much approve me. Well, sir?
134-135. I would ... approve me: I wish you did know that I am not ignorant of Laertes' character, but if you did know that, it would not be to my credit. Remember that Hamlet has already told Horatio (lines 75-76) that he is sorry that he treated Laertes badly.
OSRIC
136
You are not ignorant of what excellence
137
Laertes is
HAMLET
138
I dare not confess that, lest I should compare
139
with him in excellence; but, to know a man
138-139. I should compare with him in excellence: i.e., I might be tempted to compare myself with him.
140
well, were to know himself.
139-140. but . . . himself: This is usually explained as meaning, "for, to recognize excellence in another man, one must know oneself." ...more
OSRIC
141
I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the
142
imputation laid on him by them, in his
141-142. in the imputation laid on him by them: i.e., in popular opinion.
143
meed he's unfellowed.
143. meed: merit. unfellowed: unmatched.
HAMLET
144
What's his weapon?
Sword Girdle and Hanger |
OSRIC
145
Rapier and dagger.
HAMLET
146
That's two of his weapons: but, well.
OSRIC
147
The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary
148
horses: against the which he has impawn'd, as I take
148. impawn'd: wagered.
149
it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their
149. poniards: daggers.
150
assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so: three of the
150. assigns: accessories. hangers: See image above.
151
carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very
151. carriages: See dialogue below.
152
responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages,
151-152. very dear to fancy: tickle the fancy. very responsive to: matching well (in color and style).
153
and of very liberal conceit.
153. liberal conceit: elegant design.
HAMLET
154
What call you the carriages?
HORATIO
155
I knew you must be edified by the margent ere
155. must be edified by the margent: would require enlightenment from a marginal note.
156
you had done.
OSRIC
157
The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
Cannon and Carriage |
HAMLET
158
The phrase would be more german to the matter,
159
if we could carry cannon by our sides: I would
160
it might be "hangers" till then. But, on: six Barbary
161
horses against six French swords, their assigns,
162
and three liberal-conceited carriages; that's the
163
French bet against the Danish. Why is this "impawn'd,"
164
as you call it?
OSRIC
165
The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes
165. laid: wagered. passes: rounds. ...more
166
between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you
167
three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it
167. he hath laid on twelve for nine: he is offering 4-3 odds.
168
would come to immediate trial, if your lordship
169
would vouchsafe the answer.
169. the answer: i.e., agreement to accept the offer of a fencing match with Laertes. However, in his reply ("How if I answer 'no'?") Hamlet uses the word "answer" in its more common sense.
HAMLET
170
How if I answer "no"?
OSRIC
171
I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in
172
trial.
HAMLET
173
Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his
174
majesty, 'tis the breathing time of day with me.
174. breathing time of day with me: my usual hour for exercise.
175
Let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing,
176
and the king hold his purpose, I will win for him
177
an I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame
177. an I can: if I can.
178
and the odd hits.
OSRIC
179
Shall I re-deliver you e'en so?
HAMLET
180
To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature
180-181. To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will: i.e., deliver my message, using whatever flourishes of language that appeal to your nature.
181
will.
OSRIC
182
I commend my duty to your lordship.
182. commend my duty: Osric means, "offer my dutiful respects," but Hamlet makes fun of him by misinterpreting his words to mean "praise my own courtesy."
[Exit Osric.]
HAMLET
183
Yours.He does well to commend it himself;
184
there are no tongues else for's turn.
184. for's turn: for his turn; i.e., that will do him service.
HORATIO
185
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his
185. lapwing: The lapwing is a bird that was thought to be so foolish that it would, when it was hatched, run about with its shell still on its head. Apparently Osric's hat looks a lot like an eggshell, as does the one in the picture at line 92.
186
head.
HAMLET
187
'A did comply, sir, with his dug, before 'a sucked it.
187. 'A: he. This is slangy. comply with his dug: i.e., treat his mother's nipple with ceremonious politeness.
188
Thus has heand many more of the same breed
189
that I know the drossy age dotes ononly got the
189. drossy: i.e., worthless, frivolous. ...more
190
tune of the time and, out of an habit of encounter,
190. out . . . encounter: from a habitual way of talking.
191
a kind of yesty collection, which carries them
191. yesty: yeasty, frothy. collection: i.e., collection of fashionable words and phrases.
192
through and through the most fann'd and winnow'd
193
opinions; and do but blow them to their trial,
192-193. fann'd . . . opinions: i.e., those who believe they have the most refined and correct opinions.
194
the bubbles are out.
193-194. do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out: but just blow on them a little bit, to test them, and their bubbles are burst.
Enter a LORD.
Lord
195
My lord, his majesty commended him to you by
196
young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend
197
him in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure
198
hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer
199
time.
HAMLET
200
I am constant to my purposes; they follow the
200. I am constant to my purposes: I'm sticking to my intentions.
201
king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is
202
ready; now or whensoever, provided I be so
201-202. If his fitness speaks, mine is ready: i.e., if he's asking because this is a good time for him, it's a good time for me.
203
able as now.
Lord
204
The king and queen and all are coming down.
HAMLET
205
In happy time.
205. In happy time: i.e., I'm glad of it.
Lord
206
The queen desires you to use some gentle
207
entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.
206-207. use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play: i.e., speak a few courteous words to Laertes before you begin the fencing match.
HAMLET
208
She well instructs me.
[Exit Lord.]
HORATIO
209
You will lose, my lord.
HAMLET
210
I do not think so: since he went into France, I
211
have been in continual practice: I shall win at the
212
odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here
213
about my heart: but it is no matter.
HORATIO
214
Nay, good my lord
HAMLET
215
It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of
216
gain-giving, as would perhaps trouble a woman.
216. gain-giving: misgiving.
HORATIO
217
If your mind dislike any thing, obey it: I will
218
forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit.
HAMLET
219
Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special
220
providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now,
219-220. special providence in the fall of a sparrow: Jesus, encouraging his disciples to fear nothing in their evangelism, said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." (Matthew 10:29)
221
'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be
222
now; if it be not now, yet it will come. The
223
readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves
224
knows what is't to leave betimes, let be.
223-224. Since . . . betimes: i.e. since no man knows, by looking back on his life, what is the best time to leave his life.
A table prepar'd, Trumpets, Drums, and
Officers with cushions, foils, daggers;
Officers: high-ranking servants.
KING, QUEEN, LAERTES, [OSRIC,]
and all the State.
State: nobles.
KING
225
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
[The King puts Laertes' hand into Hamlet's.]
HAMLET
226
Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong;
227
But pardon't, as you are a gentleman.
228
This presence knows,
228. presence: assembled court.
229
And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd
230
With a sore distraction. What I have done,
230. sore distraction: i.e., madness.
231
That might your nature, honour and exception
231. exception: disapproval, objection.
232
Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.
233
Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet:
234
If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,
235
And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes,
236
Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.
237
Who does it, then? His madness: if't be so,
238
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd;
239
His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy.
240
Sir, in this audience,
240. in this audience: i.e., before everyone here.
241
Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil
241. my disclaiming from a purposed evil: my declaration that I intended no harm.
242
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
242. Free: absolve.
243
That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house,
244
And hurt my brother.
LAERTES
I am satisfied in nature,
245
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
246
To my revenge: but in my terms of honour
244-246. I . . . revenge: i.e., you have satisfied my personal feelings, whose urgings, in this case, should stir me the most to take revenge. in . . . honour: i.e., to protect my honor.
247
I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement,
248
Till by some elder masters, of known honour,
249
I have a voice and precedent of peace,
250
To keep my name ungored. But till that time,
248-250. Till . . . ungored: until by [the advice and example of] some experts [in the code of honor], who are widely acknowledged to be honorable, I have an authoritative opinion and precedent [which assure me that] I can keep my name free of injury.
251
I do receive your offer'd love like love,
252
And will not wrong it.
HAMLET
I embrace it freely;
253
And will this brothers' wager frankly play.
253. brothers' wager: friendly match. frankly: freely; i.e., without any suspicions or reservations.
254
Give us the foils. Come on.
LAERTES
Come, one for me.
HAMLET
255
I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance
255. foil: shiny sheet of metal placed behind a candle to make it shine brighter and give more light. in mine ignorance: i.e., in comparison to my lack of skill in fencing.
256
Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night,
257
Stick fiery off indeed.
257. Stick fiery off: blaze out in contrast.
LAERTES
You mock me, sir.
HAMLET
258
No, by this hand.
KING
259
Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,
260
You know the wager?
HAMLET
Very well, my lord
261
Your grace hath laid the odds o' th' weaker side.
261. laid the odds: i.e. wagered a higher stake.
KING
262
I do not fear it; I have seen you both:
263
But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds.
263. is better'd: has improved with practice.(?)
LAERTES
264
This is too heavy, let me see another.
264. This is too heavy, let me see another: I believe this must be Laertes' excuse to pick his own foil, the one that has a sharp point and is treated with poison.
HAMLET
265
This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
265. likes: pleases. a length: the same length.
[They prepare to play.]
OSRIC
266
Ay, my good lord.
KING
267
Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.
267. stoups: tankards.
268
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
269
Or quit in answer of the third exchange,
269. quit in answer of the third exchange: pay back Laertes' win in the third round (?). Apparently any little win by Hamlet will be given a grand celebration.
270
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire:
271
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath;
272
And in the cup an union shall he throw,
272. union: pearl.
273
Richer than that which four successive kings
274
In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups;
275
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,
275. kettle: kettle-drum.
276
The trumpet to the cannoneer without,
277
The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth,
278
"Now the king drinks to Hamlet." Come, begin:
Trumpets the while.
279
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
HAMLET
280
Come on, sir.
Laurence Olivier as Hamlet, Terence Morgan as Laertes
--1948 film--
LAERTES
Come, my lord.
[They play and Hamlet scores a hit.]
HAMLET
One.
LAERTES
No.
HAMLET
Judgment.
Alan Bates as King Claudius
--1990 film--
OSRIC
281
A hit, a very palpable hit.
LAERTES
Well; again.
KING
282
Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;
[He drops the pearl into Hamlet's cup.]
283
Here's to thy health. Give him the cup.
Drum, trumpets [sound a] flourish. A piece
piece: cannon.
goes off.
HAMLET
284
I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile. Come.
[They play again.]
285
Another hit; what say you?
LAERTES
286
A touch, a touch, I do confess.
KING
287
Our son shall win.
QUEEN
He's fat, and scant of breath.
287. fat: sweaty.
288
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows;
288. napkin: handkerchief.
[The queen picks up the cup
which the king offered to Hamlet.]
289
The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
289. carouses: drinks a toast. thy fortune: your good luck.
HAMLET
Glenn Close as Queen Gertrude
--1990 film--
290
Good madam!
KING
Gertrude, do not drink.
QUEEN
291
I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me.
KING [Aside.]
292
It is the poison'd cup: it is too late.
[The queen drinks, then offers
Hamlet the cup.]
HAMLET
293
I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by.
QUEEN
294
Come, let me wipe thy face.
LAERTES [Aside to the king.]
295
My lord, I'll hit him now.
KING
I do not think't.
LAERTES [Aside.]
296
And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience.
HAMLET
297
Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally;
298
I pray you, pass with your best violence;
299
I am afeard you make a wanton of me.
299. make a wanton of me: make a spoiled child of me.
LAERTES
300
Say you so? come on.
[They play to a draw.]
OSRIC
301
Nothing, neither way.
[Hamlet turns back to his mother.]
LAERTES
302
Have at you now!
[Laertes wounds Hamlet; Hamlet
knocks Laertes' rapier from his hand
and picks it up.]
KING
Part them; they are incensed.
HAMLET
303
Nay, come, again.
[Hamlet wounds Laertes. The Queen falls.]
OSRIC
Look to the queen there, ho!
HORATIO
304
They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?
OSRIC
305
How is't, Laertes?
LAERTES
306
Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric;
306. woodcock: a bird which was reputed to be very stupid. springe: trap.
307
I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.
HAMLET
308
How does the queen?
KING
She swoons to see them bleed.
Penny Downie as Queen Gertrude
--2009 film--
QUEEN
309
No, no, the drink, the drinkO my dear Hamlet
310
The drink, the drink! I am poison'd.
[Dies.]
HAMLET
311
O villany! Ho! let the door be lock'd:
312
Treachery! Seek it out.
LAERTES
313
It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;
314
No medicine in the world can do thee good;
315
In thee there is not half an hour of life;
316
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,
317
Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practise
317. Unbated: not blunted, sharp. foul practise: vile plot.
318
Hath turn'd itself on me. Lo, here I lie,
319
Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:
320
I can no more: the king, the king's to blame.
320. I can no more: I can do or say nothing more.
HAMLET
321
The point envenom'd too!
322
Then, venom, to thy work.
[Stabs the King.]
All
323
Treason! treason!
Hamlet kills king Claudius
by
Gustave Moreau
KING
324
O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.
HAMLET
325
Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,
326
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?
[Forces the poisoned drink down the
King's throat.]
327
Follow my mother.
[King dies.]
LAERTES
He is justly served;
328
It is a poison temper'd by himself.
328. temper'd: mixed.
329
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
330
Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,
331
Nor thine on me.
[Dies.]
HAMLET
332
Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.
332. make thee free: absolve you.
333
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu!
334
You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
335
That are but mutes or audience to this act,
335. mutes: silent spectators.
336
Had I but timeas this fell sergeant, death,
336. fell: cruel. sergeant: sheriff's officer.
337
Is strict in his arrestO, I could tell you
338
But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;
339
Thou livest. Report me and my cause aright
340
To the unsatisfied.
340. the unsatisfied: i.e., those who want satisfactory answers to questions about what has just happened. I'm guessing that Hamlet doesn't want to leave behind a reputation as a treasonous murderer.
HORATIO
Never believe it:
341
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:
341. antique Roman: ancient Roman; i.e., one who will commit suicide on such an occasion. (It was thought that Roman servants would commit suicide to follow their masters in death).
342
Here's yet some liquor left.
HAMLET
As thou'rt a man,
343
Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.
344
O good Horatio, what a wounded name,
345
Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me!
346
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart
347
Absent thee from felicity awhile,
348
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,
349
To tell my story.
March afar off [and a shot within].
What warlike noise is this?
OSRIC
350
Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,
350. with conquest: i.e., having conquered his opponent.
351
To the ambassadors of England gives
352
This warlike volley.
HAMLET
O, I die, Horatio;
353
The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit:
353. o'er-crows: triumphs over. The term is derived from cockfighting.
354
I cannot live to hear the news from England;
355
But I do prophesy the election lights
356
On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice;
356. voice: support, vote.
357
So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less,
358
Which have solicited. The rest is silence.
357-358. the occurrents, more and less, / Which have solicited: the events, big and small, which have motivated [what just happened here].
[Dies.]
HORATIO
359
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince:
360
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!
[March within.]
361
Why does the drum come hither?
Enter FORTINBRAS with the
[English] Ambassadors.
FORTINBRAS
362
Where is this sight?
HORATIO
What is it ye would see?
363
If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.
FORTINBRAS
364
This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death,
364. This quarry cries on havoc: this heap of corpses proclaims that there was a massacre.
365
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,
365. toward: in preparation.
366
That thou so many princes at a shot
367
So bloodily hast struck?
Ambassador
The sight is dismal;
368
And our affairs from England come too late:
369
The ears are senseless that should give us hearing,
369. senseless: i.e., deaf.
370
To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd,
371
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
372
Where should we have our thanks?
HORATIO
Not from his mouth,
372. his: i.e., the King's.
373
Had it the ability of life to thank you:
374
He never gave commandment for their death.
375
But since, so jump upon this bloody question,
375. jump: precisely. this bloody question: this bloody struggle.
376
You from the Polack wars, and you from England,
377
Are here arriv'd, give order that these bodies
378
High on a stage be placed to the view;
378. stage: platform.
379
And let me speak to the yet unknowing world
380
How these things came about. So shall you hear
381
Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,
382
Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters,
382. judgments: retributions. casual: happening by chance.
383
Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause,
383. put on: instigated. forced cause: pretended justification.
384
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
385
Fall'n on th' inventors' heads: all this can I
384-385. purposes mistook / Fall'n on th' inventors' heads: i.e., plots misfiring and blowing up in the faces of the plotters.
386
Truly deliver.
FORTINBRAS
Let us haste to hear it,
387
And call the noblest to the audience.
387. And call the noblest to the audience: and ask the most noble people to listen. ...more
388
For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune:
389
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,
389. of memory: still living within men's memory.
390
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.
390. vantage: i.e., best legal claim to the throne of Denmark.
HORATIO
391
Of that I shall have also cause to speak,
391 that: i.e., the justice of Fortinbras' claim to the throne.
392
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more;
392. from . . . more: i.e., on behalf of Hamlet, whose support [of Fortinbras] will garner the support of others.
393
But let this same be presently perform'd,
393. this same: i.e., the honor to be done to Hamlet's body.
394
Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance
394. wild: distraught, full of confusion.
395
On plots and errors, happen.
FORTINBRAS
Let four captains
396
Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage;
397
For he was likely, had he been put on,
397. been put on: been put to the test (by becoming king).
398
To have prov'd most royal: and, for his passage,
398. prov'd: proved to be. passage: death.
399
The soldiers' music and the rites of war
400
Speak loudly for him.
401
Take up the bodies: such a sight as this
402
Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss.
402. Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss: befits the battlefield, but here is out of place.
403
Go, bid the soldiers shoot.
Exeunt.