HORATIO                                That can I.

At least the whisper goes so. Our last King,

Whose image even but now appeared to us,

Was as you know by Fortinbras of Norway –

Thereto pricked on by a most emulate pride –

Dared to the combat, in which our valiant Hamlet

(For so this side of our known world esteemed him)

Did slay this Fortinbras, who by a sealed compact

Well ratified by law and heraldry

Did forfeit with his life all these his lands

Which he stood seized of to the conqueror…          (1.1.78-88)

That can I, says Horatio: I can tell you a bit about what’s going on, about these rumours of war; at least the whisper goes so. At least I can tell you what’s being said, what I’ve picked up at court. And yes, it looks like war is coming. Our last King, whose image even but now appeared to us—yes, him, the ghost, that great warrior whose spectral form we’ve apparently just seen and are now seemingly regarding as more or less unremarkable—he was as you know by Fortinbras of Norway (as you know: this is all in the history books, generally known)—thereto pricked on by a most emulate pride, emboldened in doing so by hubris, an over-the-top sense of his own honour and worthiness—he, Fortinbras, the king of Norway, he dared our king to the combat, to single combat that is. And in that our valiant Hamlet, that great warrior king (for so this side of our known world esteemed him—everyone in these parts knew that he was a man of great valour—he, Hamlet, did slay this Fortinbras. He won. And, as a result of that victory, by a sealed compact, a sworn contract between them, well ratified by law and heraldry, everything in order, above board, all the seals and signatures required by custom and right and ancient privileges, and the laws of chivalry—Fortinbras did forfeit with his life all these his lands which he stood seized of to the conqueror. Hamlet the king killed Fortinbras the king, fair and square, and they both knew what was at stake—Norwegian territory, which should have been handed over to the victor. (Technically it’s the Norwegian king’s personal estates, which should have been the inheritance of his son, rather than Norwegian crown territory which is at stake, but it’s a pretty nice distinction in the circumstances.) Details, details—and this is only the first part of a long speech that’s easily cut. But it’s a careful setting up of lots of consequential things.