William Shakespeare

Hamlet William Shakespeare

Hamlet is the story of the Prince of Denmark who learns of the death of his father at the hands of his uncle, Claudius. Claudius murders Hamlet's father, his own brother, to take the throne of Denmark and to marry Hamlet's widowed mother. Hamlet is sunk into a state of great despair as a result of discovering the murder of his father and the infidelity of his mother. Hamlet is torn between his great sadness and his desire for the revenge of his father's murder. The ghost of the King of Denmark tells his son Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing the new king, Hamlet's uncle. Hamlet feigns madness, contemplates life and death, and seeks revenge. His uncle, fearing for his life, also devises plots to kill Hamlet. The play ends with a duel, during which the King, Queen, Hamlet's opponent and Hamlet himself are all killed. BERNARDOWho's there?FRANCISCONay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself. BERNARDOLong live the king!FRANCISCOBernardo?BERNARDOHe. FRANCISCOYou come most carefully upon your hour. BERNARDO'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco. FRANCISCOFor this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart. BERNARDOHave you had quiet guard?FRANCISCONot a mouse stirring. BERNARDOWell, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. FRANCISCOI think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who's there?[Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS]HORATIOFriends to this ground. MARCELLUSAnd liegemen to the Dane. FRANCISCOGive you good night. MARCELLUSO, farewell, honest soldier: Who hath relieved you?FRANCISCOBernardo has my place. Give you good night.[Exit]MARCELLUSHolla! Bernardo!BERNARDOSay, What, is Horatio there?HORATIOA piece of him. BERNARDOWelcome, Horatio: welcome, good Marcellus. MARCELLUSWhat, has this thing appear'd again to-night?BERNARDOI have seen nothing. MARCELLUSHoratio says 'tis but our fantasy, And will not let belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us: Therefore I have entreated him along With us to watch the minutes of this night; That if again this apparition come, He may approve our eyes and speak to it. HORATIOTush, tush, 'twill not appear. BERNARDOSit down awhile; And let us once again assail your ears, That are so fortified against our story What we have two nights seen. HORATIOWell, sit we down, And let us hear Bernardo speak of this. BERNARDOLast night of all, When yond same star that's westward from the pole Had made his course to illume that part of heaven Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, The bell then beating one,