HAMLET I know your rouge and lipstick well enough. God gave you one face and you make yourselves another. You jig, you amble, and you lisp; you nickname God's creatures, and ply your sweetness as unfeigned. I've had enough of it--it's driven me mad! I say we will have no more marriages! Those that are married already--all but one--shall live; the rest shall keep as they are. To a nunnery--go!
(Hamlet exits.)
(The King and Polonius come out from tapestry.)
CLAUDIUS What he said was not madness, strictly. There's something brooding deep within him, and if it's allowed to hatch--it very well may be dangerous. He'll be sent to England on an errand immediately, and with luck, the ocean and change of scene will expel the matter from his heart.
POLONIUS That is a most wise course of action, my lord, but I still think it's all traced back to his love for her. Do as you please of course, but if you will--perhaps--after the play, allow his mother the Queen to sound out his grief. Allow them time alone, and I'll again be witness to his words. If we get no more truth, then to England he goes, or confine him where you think best.
CLAUDIUS Very well, agreed. Disturbances in great ones must not go unwatched.
(King and Polonius begin to exit.)
POLONIUS (calling back to Ophelia) Ophelia, I will speak with you later.
(King and Polonius exit.)
OPHELIA Oh what a noble mind has fallen! The soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, and sword--a rose of governance--model honored amongst the honorable--utterly destroyed! And that I, who once relished the honey of his tune, now witnesses such sweet bells jangled. That unmatched form of blown youth blasted into insanity. Oh woe is me! To have seen what I have seen, and to now see what I do!
As a young man who has changed his viewpoints significantly over the past year, going through a rather extensive transformation, I feel a strong connection to our tragic protagonist.
Parents and friends grow concerned. "Why does he choose to speak in such riddled verse? Is it drugs or insanity? Maybe he just needs a girlfriend." Perhaps it is because prose becomes utterly insufficient in conveying meaning and emotion.
But must the outcome always be so tragic? Can justice be served, Ophelia spared, and Hamlet's love fulfilled? Or are these mutually exclusive events? Must so much be sacrificied in the name of righteousness? What if Hamlet could forgive? Would the ghost allow it?
by
Ferdinand (17 articles, 4 quicklinks, 32 diaries, 237 comments)
on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 4:32:58 PM
i initially had overlooked that the end of the scene ought to have ophelia left on stage alone with her thoughts. i had thought: how clunky to have her express her thoughts with hamlet gone and cladius and polonius still behind the tapestry. then it occured to me--duh: have him leave, the other two leave, and then her thoughts....
thanks again.
by
john de herrera (36 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 161 comments)
on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 5:19:15 PM
2 comments
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
