Adapting Hamlet as a goal I've set for myself as a writer, and to attempt to make the story and its drama accessible to those who have had problems with the atiquated language.

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            ACT 1, SCENE 3

                                   (Laertes and OPHELIA enter.)

                                   LAERTES
            I'm all set to go.  Please make sure you write me.

                                   OPHELIA
            Of course I will.

                                   LAERTES
            As for Hamlet and his interest in you, don't take it for
            anything more than flirtation.

                                   OPHELIA
            It's nothing more than that?

                                   LAERTES
            That's not entirely it.  Maybe he does love you now, and
            maybe his intentions are true--but remember--he's not his own
            master.  He can't carve out a life like you or I because his
            life is attached to the state.  He's subject to his birth.
            If he says he loves you, believe it if you will, but his fate
            is more complex than his maturity yet comprehends.  You risk
            not only your heart, but your honor.  Stay out of range. Out
            of the danger of desire.  For now, unmask your beauty to the
            moon.  Your time will come.  It's just happened so many times
            where the promise of an entire life is corrupted by simple
            misunderstandings in youth.  Please be careful.  

                                   OPHELIA
            I'll take what you're saying to heart, just make sure your
            not a preacher who points out a road to heaven while you
            yourself blaze a trail of indulgence.

                                   LAERTES
            Don't worry about me.

                                   (Polonius enters.)

                                   LAERTES (CONT'D)
            But I should be off--

                                   POLONIUS
                          (to Laertes)
            Are you still here?  What are you doing?  The wind's just
            right--they're waiting for you.

                                   LAERTES
            I'm just on my way.

                                   POLONIUS
            Remember what I told you?

                                   LAERTES
            Yes father.

                                   POLONIUS
            Don't give your thoughts a tongue, keep your opinions to
            yourself.

                                   LAERTES
            Yes father.

                                   POLONIUS
            Be friendly, but don't give yourself over to just anyone.

                                   LAERTES
            Yes.

                                   POLONIUS
            Neither a borrower nor a lender be.

                                   LAERTES
            Yes, my lord.

                                   POLONIUS
            And above all else, be true to yourself consistently and it
            will become a second nature as sure as the moon follows the
            sun.  Be true to yourself, and you'll find yourself true to
            others.

                                   LAERTES
            I thank you for your wisdom, my lord.

                                   POLONIUS
            Very well then, your servants are waiting.

                                   LAERTES
            Ophelia, please don't forget what I said.

                                   OPHELIA
            It's locked in my memory, you hold its key.

                                   LAERTES
            Farewell.

                                   (Laertes exits.)

                                   POLONIUS
            What did he tell you?

                                   OPHELIA
            He warned me about Hamlet.

                                   POLONIUS
            I'm told you two have been spending private time together.
            What's going on?

                                   OPHELIA
            He's showing some affection.

                                   POLONIUS
            Affection?  This is a serious matter my dear.  What do you
            think you're doing, exactly?

                                   OPHELIA
            That's just it, my lord.  I don't know.  He's offered his
            love in an honorable fashion--

                                   POLONIUS
            An honorable fashion?

                                   OPHELIA
            He's backed his words with vows--I don't know what to think!

                                   POLONIUS
            Let me tell you what to think!  He's a young man whose blood
            burns--that's not his tongue doing the talking.
            The vows are nothing but carnal persuasions, so don't you
            believe them.  From here on I do not want you around him in
            private.  Those are my orders.  Do you understand?

                                   OPHELIA
            Yes, my lord.

                                   (End scene.)

Authors Website: http://www.cc2.org

Authors Bio:

Writer/artist/activist from California, with a degree in Creative Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Advocating for the convention clause of Article V since 2001.