Hamlet speaks with the gravediggers and reflects on mortality while holding the skull of Yorick, the jester he knew as a child. Ophelia's funeral procession arrives, and Laertes leaps into her grave in an outburst of grief. Hamlet reveals himself, declares his love for Ophelia, and grapples with Laertes before they are separated.
SCENE II. A hall in the Castle.
Enter Hamlet and Horatio.
HAMLET
So much for this, sir. Now let me see the other;You do remember all the circumstance?
HORATIO
Remember it, my lord!
HAMLET
Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fightingThat would not let me sleep. Methought I layWorse than the mutiniesA person who rebels against lawful authority, especially aboard a ship. in the bilboesAn iron fetter or shackle, especially one securing the ankles.. Rashly,And prais’d be rashness for it,—let us know,Our indiscretion sometime serves us well,When our deep plots do pall; and that should teach usThere’s a divinity that shapes our ends,Rough-hew them how we will.
HORATIO
That is most certain.
HAMLET
Up from my cabin,My sea-gowna loose outer garment worn by sailors. scarf’d about me, in the darkGrop’d I to find out them; had my desire,Finger’d their packet, and in fine, withdrewTo mine own room again, making so bold,My fears forgetting manners, to unsealTheir grand commission; where I found, Horatio,Oh royal knavery! an exact command,Larded with many several sorts of reasons,Importing Denmark’s health, and England’s too,With ho! such bugs and goblins in my life,That on the supervise, no leisure bated,No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,My head should be struck off.
HORATIO
Is’t possible?
HAMLET
Here’s the commission, read it at more leisure.But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed?
HORATIO
I beseech you.
HAMLET
Being thus benettedTo catch or entangle in a net. round with villanies,—Or I could make a prologue to my brains,They had begun the play,—I sat me down,Devis’d a new commission, wrote it fair:I once did hold it, as our statistsa statesman or person skilled in government. do,A baseness to write fair, and labour’d muchHow to forget that learning; but, sir, nowIt did me yeoman’s service. Wilt thou knowThe effect of what I wrote?
HORATIO
Ay, good my lord.
HAMLET
An earnest conjurationa solemn appeal or entreaty made under oath or sacred obligation. from the King,As England was his faithful tributary,As love between them like the palm might flourish,As peace should still her wheaten garland wearAnd stand a comma ’tween their amities,And many such-like ‘as’esan instance of the word ‘as’, especially in affected or elaborate phrasing. of great charge,That on the view and know of these contents,Without debatement further, more or less,He should the bearers put to sudden death,Not shriving-timethe time for confessing sins and receiving absolution before death. allow’d.
HORATIO
How was this seal’d?
HAMLET
Why, even in that was heaven ordinantordaining, directing, or governing events..I had my father’s signet in my purse,Which was the model of that Danish seal:Folded the writ up in the form of the other,Subscrib’d it: gave’t th’impression; plac’d it safely,The changeling never known. Now, the next dayWas our sea-fight, and what to this was sequentThou know’st already.
HORATIO
So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to’t.
HAMLET
Why, man, they did make love to this employment.They are not near my conscience; their defeatDoes by their own insinuation grow.’Tis dangerous when the baser nature comesBetween the pass and fell incensed pointsOf mighty opposites.
HORATIO
Why, what a king is this!
HAMLET
Does it not, thinks’t thee, stand me now upon,—He that hath kill’d my king, and whor’d my mother,Popp’d in between th’election and my hopes,Thrown out his angle for my proper life,And with such cozenage—is’t not perfect conscienceTo quit him with this arm? And is’t not to be damn’dTo let this canker of our nature comeIn further evil?
HORATIO
It must be shortly known to him from EnglandWhat is the issue of the business there.
HAMLET
It will be short. The interim is mine;And a man’s life’s no more than to say ‘One’.But I am very sorry, good Horatio,That to Laertes I forgot myself;For by the image of my cause I seeThe portraiture of his. I’ll court his favours.But sure the bravery of his grief did put meInto a tow’ring passion.
HORATIO
Peace, who comes here?
Enter Osric.
OSRIC
Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark.
HAMLET
I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this waterfly?
HORATIO
No, my good lord.
HAMLET
Thy state is the more gracious; for ’tis a vice to know him.He hath much land, and fertile; let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king’s mess; ’tis a chough; but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.
OSRIC
Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his Majesty.
HAMLET
I will receive it with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; ’tis for the head.
OSRIC
I thank your lordship, ’tis very hot.
HAMLET
No, believe me, ’tis very cold, the wind is northerly.
OSRIC
It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed.
HAMLET
Methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion.
OSRIC
Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry,—as ’twere—I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his Majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head. Sir, this is the matter,—
HAMLET
I beseech you, remember,—
Hamlet moves him to put on his hat.
OSRIC
Nay, in good faith; for mine ease, in good faith.Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing.Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry; for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see.
HAMLET
Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you, though I know, to divide him inventoriallyin the manner of an inventory, item by item. would dizzy th’arithmetic of memory, and yet but yawto veer or deviate from a straight course. neither, in respect of his quick sail.But, in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror and who else would trace him his umbrage, nothing more.
OSRIC
Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him.
HAMLET
The concernancyrelevance, importance, or relation to a matter., sir? Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath?
OSRIC
Sir?
HORATIO
Is’t not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do’t, sir, really.
HAMLET
What imports the nomination of this gentleman?
OSRIC
Of Laertes?
HORATIO
His purse is empty already, all’s golden words are spent.
HAMLET
Of him, sir.
OSRIC
I know you are not ignorant,—
HAMLET
I would you did, sir; yet in faith if you did, it would not much approve me. Well, sir?
OSRIC
You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is,—
HAMLET
I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but to know a man well were to know himself.
OSRIC
I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him, by them in his meed he’s unfellowedWithout an equal or companion; unrivalled..
HAMLET
What’s his weapon?
OSRIC
Rapier and dagger.
HAMLET
That’s two of his weapons. But well.
OSRIC
The King, sir, hath wager’d with him six Barbarythe region of North Africa west of Egypt, associated here with its people and horses. horses, against the which he has imponedTo stake or wager., as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assignsan appointed possession, allowance, or entitlement., as girdle, hangersa strap or loop from which a sword is suspended at the waist., and so.Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit.
HAMLET
What call you the carriages?
HORATIO
I knew you must be edified by the margin ere you had done.
OSRIC
The carriages, sir, are the hangers.
HAMLET
The phrase would be more german to the matter if we could carry cannon by our sides.I would it might be hangers till then. But on.Six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal conceited carriages: that’s the French bet against the Danish.Why is this all imponed, as you call it?
OSRIC
The King, sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes between you and him, he shall not exceed you three hits.He hath laid on twelve for nineto wager that one contestant will score twelve hits before the other scores nine..And it would come to immediate trial if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer.
HAMLET
How if I answer no?
OSRIC
I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial.
HAMLET
Sir, I will walk here in the hall.If it please his Majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me.Let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose, I will win for him if I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hitsthe additional hits allowed as a handicap in a fencing wager..
OSRIC
Shall I re-deliver you e’en so?
HAMLET
To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will.
OSRIC
I commend my duty to your lordship.
HAMLET
Yours, yours.
Exit Osric.
HAMLET
He does well to commend it himself, there are no tongues else for’s turn.
HORATIO
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.
HAMLET
He did comply with his dugA breast or nipple. before he suck’d it.Thus has he,—and many more of the same bevy that I know the drossy age dotes on,— only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yeasty collection, which carries them through and through the most fanned and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out.
Enter a Lord.
LORD
My lord, his Majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall.He sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes or that you will take longer time.
HAMLET
I am constant to my purposes, they follow the King’s pleasure. If his fitness speaks, mine is ready. Now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now.
LORD
The King and Queen and all are coming down.
HAMLET
In happy time.
LORD
The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play.
HAMLET
She well instructs me.
Exit Lord.
HORATIO
You will lose this wager, my lord.
HAMLET
I do not think so. Since he went into France, I have been in continual practice. I shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart: but it is no matter.
HORATIO
Nay, good my lord.
HAMLET
It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-givingan uneasy misgiving or foreboding. as would perhaps trouble a woman.
HORATIO
If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit.
HAMLET
Not a whit, we defy augury.There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow.If it be now, ’tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all.Since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is’t to leave betimes?
Enter King, Queen, Laertes, Lords, Osric and Attendants with foils &c.
KING
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
The King puts Laertes’s hand into Hamlet’s.
HAMLET
Give me your pardon, sir. I have done you wrong;But pardon’t as you are a gentleman.This presence knows, and you must needs have heard,How I am punish’d with sore distraction.What I have doneThat might your nature, honour, and exceptionRoughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.Was’t Hamlet wrong’d Laertes? Never Hamlet.If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away,And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes,Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it.Who does it, then? His madness. If’t be so,Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong’d;His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.Sir, in this audience,Let my disclaiming from a purpos’d evilFree me so far in your most generous thoughtsThat I have shot my arrow o’er the houseAnd hurt my brother.
LAERTES
I am satisfied in nature,Whose motive in this case should stir me mostTo my revenge. But in my terms of honourI stand aloof, and will no reconcilementTill by some elder masters of known honourI have a voice and precedent of peaceTo keep my name ungor’d. But till that timeI do receive your offer’d love like love,And will not wrong it.
HAMLET
I embrace it freely,And will this brother’s wager frankly play.—Give us the foils; come on.
LAERTES
Come, one for me.
HAMLET
I’ll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignoranceYour skill shall like a star i’ th’ darkest night,Stick fiery offto project or stand out conspicuously. indeed.
LAERTES
You mock me, sir.
HAMLET
No, by this hand.
KING
Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet,You know the wager?
HAMLET
Very well, my lord.Your Grace has laid the odds o’ the weaker side.
KING
I do not fear it. I have seen you both;But since he is better’d, we have therefore odds.
LAERTES
This is too heavy. Let me see another.
HAMLET
This likes me well. These foils have all a length?
They prepare to play.
OSRIC
Ay, my good lord.
KING
Set me the stoupsa drinking vessel or large cup. of wine upon that table.If Hamlet give the first or second hit,Or quit in answer of the third exchange,Let all the battlements their ordnance fire;The King shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath,And in the cup an uniona large, fine pearl. shall he throwRicher than that which four successive kingsIn Denmark’s crown have worn. Give me the cups;And let the kettle to the trumpet speak,The trumpet to the cannoneer without,The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth,‘Now the King drinks to Hamlet.’ Come, begin.And you, the judges, bear a wary eye.
HAMLET
Come on, sir.
LAERTES
Come, my lord.
They play.
HAMLET
One.
LAERTES
No.
HAMLET
Judgement.
OSRIC
A hit, a very palpable hit.
LAERTES
Well; again.
KING
Stay, give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine;Here’s to thy health.
Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within.
KING
Give him the cup.
HAMLET
I’ll play this bout first; set it by awhile.
They play.
HAMLET
Come. Another hit; what say you?
LAERTES
A touch, a touch, I do confess.
KING
Our son shall win.
QUEEN
He’s fat, and scant of breath.Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows.The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet.
HAMLET
Good madam.
KING
Gertrude, do not drink.
QUEEN
I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me.
KING
It is the poison’d cup; it is too late.
HAMLET
I dare not drink yet, madam. By and by.
QUEEN
Come, let me wipe thy face.
LAERTES
My lord, I’ll hit him now.
KING
I do not think’t.
LAERTES
And yet ’tis almost ’gainst my conscience.
HAMLET
Come for the third, Laertes. You do but dally.I pray you pass with your best violence.I am afeard you make a wanton of me.
LAERTES
Say you so? Come on.
They play.
OSRIC
Nothing neither wayno hit scored by either fencer..
LAERTES
Have at you now.
Laertes wounds Hamlet; then, in scuffling, they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes.
KING
Part them; they are incens’d.
HAMLET
Nay, come again!
The Queen falls.
OSRIC
Look to the Queen there, ho!
HORATIO
They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?
OSRIC
How is’t, Laertes?
LAERTES
Why, as a woodcock to my own springea snare for catching birds or small animals., Osric.I am justly kill’d with mine own treachery.
HAMLET
How does the Queen?
KING
She swoons to see them bleed.
QUEEN
No, no, the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet!The drink, the drink! I am poison’d.
Dies.
HAMLET
O villany! Ho! Let the door be lock’d:Treachery! Seek it out.
Laertes falls.
LAERTES
It is here, Hamlet. Hamlet, thou art slain.No medicine in the world can do thee good.In thee there is not half an hour of life;The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,UnbatedUnblunted and lacking the protective button fitted to a fencing weapon. and envenom’d. The foul practiceHath turn’d itself on me. Lo, here I lie,Never to rise again. Thy mother’s poison’d.I can no more. The King, the King’s to blame.
HAMLET
The point envenom’d too!Then, venom, to thy work.
Stabs the King.
HAMLET
OSRIC and LORDS.Treason! treason!
KING
O yet defend me, friends. I am but hurt.
HAMLET
Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?Follow my mother.
King dies.
LAERTES
He is justly serv’d.It is a poison temper’d by himself.Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,Nor thine on me.
Dies.
HAMLET
Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.I am dead, Horatio. Wretched Queen, adieu.You that look pale and tremble at this chance,That are but mutesA silent performer who represents part of a story through gesture, especially in a dumb show. or audience to this act,Had I but time,—as this fell sergeant, death,Is strict in his arrest,—O, I could tell you,—But let it be. Horatio, I am dead,Thou liv’st; report me and my cause arightTo the unsatisfied.
HORATIO
Never believe it.I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.Here’s yet some liquor left.
HAMLET
As th’art a man,Give me the cup. Let go; by Heaven, I’ll have’t.O good Horatio, what a wounded name,Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me.If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,Absent thee from felicity awhile,And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,To tell my story.
March afar off, and shot within.
HAMLET
What warlike noise is this?
OSRIC
Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,To the ambassadors of England givesThis warlike volley.
HAMLET
O, I die, Horatio.The potent poison quite o’er-crows my spirit:I cannot live to hear the news from England,But I do prophesy th’election lightsOn Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.So tell him, with the occurrentsan event, incident, or circumstance that occurs. more and less,Which have solicited. The rest is silence.
Dies.
HORATIO
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.Why does the drum come hither?
March within.
Enter Fortinbras, the English Ambassadors and others.
FORTINBRAS
Where is this sight?
HORATIO
What is it you would see?If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.
FORTINBRAS
This quarry cries on havocto call for or unleash indiscriminate slaughter and destruction.. O proud death,What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,That thou so many princes at a shotSo bloodily hast struck?
FIRST AMBASSADOR
The sight is dismal;And our affairs from England come too late.The ears are senseless that should give us hearing,To tell him his commandment is fulfill’d,That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.Where should we have our thanks?
HORATIO
Not from his mouth,Had it th’ability of life to thank you.He never gave commandment for their death.But since, so jump upon this bloody question,You from the Polack wars, and you from EnglandAre here arriv’d, give order that these bodiesHigh on a stage be placed to the view,And let me speak to th’ yet unknowing worldHow these things came about. So shall you hearOf carnal, bloody and unnatural acts,Of accidental judgements, casual slaughters,Of deaths put on by cunning and forc’d cause,And, in this upshot, purposes mistookFall’n on the inventors’ heads. All this can ITruly deliver.
FORTINBRAS
Let us haste to hear it,And call the noblest to the audience.For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune.I have some rights of memorya hereditary claim preserved by remembrance of former possession or succession. in this kingdom,Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.
HORATIO
Of that I shall have also cause to speak,And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more.But let this same be presently perform’d,Even while men’s minds are wild, lest more mischanceOn plots and errors happen.
FORTINBRAS
Let four captainsBear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,For he was likely, had he been put on,To have prov’d most royally; and for his passage,The soldiers’ music and the rites of warSpeak loudly for him.Take up the bodies. Such a sight as thisBecomes the field, but here shows much amiss.Go, bid the soldiers shoot.
A dead march.
Exeunt, bearing off the bodies, after which a peal of ordnance is shot off.