HAMLET
A dream itself is but a shadow.
ROSENCRANTZ
And I hold ambition to be so airy and light a thing as to be
but a shadow's shadow.
HAMLET
Then the unambitious are bodies, and monarchs and heros,
nothing but shadows of them. Shall we take it to the courts?
I haven't figured it out. But back to the question, why are
you two here?
ROSENCRANTZ
To visit you, my lord.
HAMLET
Were you sent for? Come on, tell me the truth.
GUILDENSTERN
What should we say, my lord?
HAMLET
You were sent for. I can tell by the looks on your faces.
The King and Queen have sent for you, that's why you're hear.
ROSENCRANTZ
For what purpose?
HAMLET
I'll tell you why. That way you won't have to say, and you
won't break any oaths to secrecy. I've fallen into a deep
void. I don't eat, I don't sleep, I don't exercise. The
Earth is a sterile rock. The sky, the sunset--this majestic
roof of golden fire--is nothing but pool of rank vapor. What
a piece of work mankind is, isn't it? How noble in reason,
how infinite in ability;
in design and movement like an angel, in apprehension like a
god: the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals--and
yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights
not me--
(Hamlet notices them resist laughing.)
HAMLET (CONT'D)
What's with the smirk?
ROSENCRANTZ
If you delight not in man, then what a dull reception the
actors will receive. We overtook a troupe on the way here,
they're coming to offer their services.
HAMLET
What players are they?
ROSENCRANTZ
The tragedy players from the city. The ones you used to
enjoy so much.
HAMLET
Why are they on tour? A home theatre is better for
production and profit.
ROSENCRANTZ
They were banned.
A dream itself is but a shadow.
ROSENCRANTZ
And I hold ambition to be so airy and light a thing as to be
but a shadow's shadow.
HAMLET
Then the unambitious are bodies, and monarchs and heros,
nothing but shadows of them. Shall we take it to the courts?
I haven't figured it out. But back to the question, why are
you two here?
ROSENCRANTZ
To visit you, my lord.
Were you sent for? Come on, tell me the truth.
GUILDENSTERN
What should we say, my lord?
HAMLET
You were sent for. I can tell by the looks on your faces.
The King and Queen have sent for you, that's why you're hear.
ROSENCRANTZ
For what purpose?
HAMLET
I'll tell you why. That way you won't have to say, and you
won't break any oaths to secrecy. I've fallen into a deep
void. I don't eat, I don't sleep, I don't exercise. The
Earth is a sterile rock. The sky, the sunset--this majestic
roof of golden fire--is nothing but pool of rank vapor. What
a piece of work mankind is, isn't it? How noble in reason,
how infinite in ability;
in design and movement like an angel, in apprehension like a
god: the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals--and
yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights
not me--
(Hamlet notices them resist laughing.)
HAMLET (CONT'D)
What's with the smirk?
ROSENCRANTZ
If you delight not in man, then what a dull reception the
actors will receive. We overtook a troupe on the way here,
they're coming to offer their services.
HAMLET
What players are they?
ROSENCRANTZ
The tragedy players from the city. The ones you used to
enjoy so much.
HAMLET
Why are they on tour? A home theatre is better for
production and profit.
ROSENCRANTZ
They were banned.
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