GERTRUDE
Hamlet, stop, please? Cast off this melancholy and look at
Claudius with a little kindness. What has happened is
natural. Everything that lives must one day die. Everything
passes through nature into eternity.
HAMLET
Yes, madam, it is true.
GERTRUDE
If it is, then why does it seem so particular with you?
HAMLET
Seem? No, it is. Anyone can put on a costume of mourning-
the dark clothes, the miserable, dejected look, the tearful
eye and heavy sighs--all trappings anyone can play. My
grief, good mother, is real, and it is deep.
CLAUDIUS
Your sweet nature is to be praised Hamlet, the way you honor
your father so sincerely. But remember, your father lost a
father; and that father lost a father too; and each survivor
carried the burden for a term. But to persevere in grieving,
to be obstinate and stubborn about it is unmanly. Why lament
the inevitable? It's a disrespect to heaven, the dead, and
the natural order of things. It must be so. Bury your
grief, let it go. The world knows you are next in line to
the throne, and if you'll allow it, I should like to look
upon you as a son. Don't go back to Wittenberg, stay with
your mother and I as the highest member of the court.
GERTRUDE
I pray that you'll stay, Hamlet. I pray you won't leave.
Stay with us, please.
HAMLET
Very well, I'll stay.
CLAUDIUS
Excellent then! We'll live royally together in Denmark! (To
Gertrude) Madam, come! Hamlet's consent cheers me up!
Let's eat and drink and fire the cannons into the clouds!
Come! Come!
(They exit, Hamlet remains alone.)
HAMLET
Ah! I wish my flesh would melt, turn into dew, and
evaporate! Oh that suicide were not a crime! How stale and
flat and without purpose the world seems. A garden gone to
seed! Weeds rank and gross posses it! That it should come
to this! It hasn't even been two months since a king--a god
compared to this other poseur--has passed away. He was so
loving with the Queen, and yet in less than--I must not think
of it! I don't understand it! A brainless beast would have
mourned longer! And she marries the brother?! It's not
right! Nothing good can come of it, but I'll hold my tongue
while my heart breaks.
(Enter Horatio, Barbardo, and
Marcellus.)
HORATIO
Hail to your lordship.
HAMLET
Horatio?
HORATIO
Yes, my lord. Your humble servant.
HAMLET
(embracing Horatio)
It's good to see you! What are you doing away from
Wittenberg? (Noticing Marcellus) Marcellus!
MARCELLUS
My good lord.
Hamlet, stop, please? Cast off this melancholy and look at
Claudius with a little kindness. What has happened is
natural. Everything that lives must one day die. Everything
passes through nature into eternity.
HAMLET
Yes, madam, it is true.
GERTRUDE
If it is, then why does it seem so particular with you?
HAMLET
Seem? No, it is. Anyone can put on a costume of mourning-
the dark clothes, the miserable, dejected look, the tearful
eye and heavy sighs--all trappings anyone can play. My
grief, good mother, is real, and it is deep.
Your sweet nature is to be praised Hamlet, the way you honor
your father so sincerely. But remember, your father lost a
father; and that father lost a father too; and each survivor
carried the burden for a term. But to persevere in grieving,
to be obstinate and stubborn about it is unmanly. Why lament
the inevitable? It's a disrespect to heaven, the dead, and
the natural order of things. It must be so. Bury your
grief, let it go. The world knows you are next in line to
the throne, and if you'll allow it, I should like to look
upon you as a son. Don't go back to Wittenberg, stay with
your mother and I as the highest member of the court.
GERTRUDE
I pray that you'll stay, Hamlet. I pray you won't leave.
Stay with us, please.
HAMLET
Very well, I'll stay.
CLAUDIUS
Excellent then! We'll live royally together in Denmark! (To
Gertrude) Madam, come! Hamlet's consent cheers me up!
Let's eat and drink and fire the cannons into the clouds!
Come! Come!
(They exit, Hamlet remains alone.)
HAMLET
Ah! I wish my flesh would melt, turn into dew, and
evaporate! Oh that suicide were not a crime! How stale and
flat and without purpose the world seems. A garden gone to
seed! Weeds rank and gross posses it! That it should come
to this! It hasn't even been two months since a king--a god
compared to this other poseur--has passed away. He was so
loving with the Queen, and yet in less than--I must not think
of it! I don't understand it! A brainless beast would have
mourned longer! And she marries the brother?! It's not
right! Nothing good can come of it, but I'll hold my tongue
while my heart breaks.
(Enter Horatio, Barbardo, and
Marcellus.)
HORATIO
Hail to your lordship.
HAMLET
Horatio?
HORATIO
Yes, my lord. Your humble servant.
HAMLET
(embracing Horatio)
It's good to see you! What are you doing away from
Wittenberg? (Noticing Marcellus) Marcellus!
MARCELLUS
My good lord.
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