HAMLET         ’Tis now the very witching time of night When churchyards yawn and hell itself breaks out Contagion to this world. Now could I drink hot blood And do such business as the bitter day Would quake to look on. Soft, now to my mother. (3.2.378-382) Hamlet, alone again, and breathe… He’s as wound up as he’s ever been, and his mind is bend on violence; he’s […]

POLONIUS      My lord, the Queen would speak with you, and presently. HAMLET         Do you see yonder cloud that’s almost in shape of a camel? POLONIUS      By th’ mass and ’tis like a camel indeed. HAMLET         Methinks it is like a weasel. POLONIUS      It is backed like a weasel. HAMLET         Or like a whale? POLONIUS      Very […]

HAMLET         Why, look you now how unworthy a thing you make of me: you would play upon me! You would seem to know my stops, you would pluck out the heart of my mystery, you would sound me from my lowest note to my compass. And there is much music, excellent voice, in this little […]

Enter the Players with recorders. HAMLET         O, the recorders! Let me see one. To withdraw with you, why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil? GUILDENSTERN        O my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly. HAMLET         I do […]

HAMLET         O wonderful son that can so ’stonish a mother! But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother’s admiration? Impart. ROSENCRANTZ          She desires to speak with you in her closet ere you go to bed. HAMLET         We shall obey, were she ten times our mother. Have you any further trade with us? […]

GUILDENSTERN        The Queen your mother in most great affliction of spirit hath sent me to you. HAMLET         You are welcome. GUILDENSTERN        Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of the right breed. If it shall please you to make me a wholesome answer, I will do your mother’s commandment. If not, your pardon and […]

Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. GUILDENSTERN        Good my lord, vouchsafe me a word with you. HAMLET         Sir, a whole history. GUILDENSTERN        The King, sir – HAMLET         Ay, sir, what of him? GUILDENSTERN        – is in his retirement marvellous distempered. HAMLET         With drink, sir? GUILDENSTERN        No, my lord, with choler. HAMLET         Your wisdom should show itself more […]

HAMLET         For thou dost know, O Damon dear, This realm dismantled was Of Jove himself, and now reigns here A very, very pajock. HORATIO        You might have rhymed. HAMLET         O good Horatio, I’ll take the Ghost’s word for a thousand pound. Didst perceive? HORATIO        Very well, my lord. HAMLET         Upon the talk of the poisoning. HORATIO        I did very well note him. […]

OPHELIA        The King rises. GERTUDE       How fares my lord? POLONIUS      Give o’er the play. CLAUDIUS      Give me some light, away. POLONIUS!     Lights! Lights! Exeunt all but HAMLET and HORATIO. HAMLET          Why let the stricken deer go weep,     The hart ungalled play,     For some must watch while some must sleep.     Thus runs the world away. Would not this, sir, and a forest […]

LUCIANUS      Thoughts black, hands apt, drugs fit, and time agreeing, Considerate season else no creature seeing, Thou mixture rank, of midnight weeds collected, With Hecate’s ban thrice blasted, thrice infected, Thy natural magic and dire property On wholesome life usurps immediately. [Pours the poison in his ears.] HAMLET         ’A poisons him i’th’ garden for his estate. His name’s Gonzago. The story is extant and written in very […]