DRAMATIS PERSONAE

CLAUDIUS, king of Denmark.

GERTRUDE, queen of Denmark, and mother of Hamlet. HAMLET, son of the late, and nephew of the present king. OPHELIA, daughter of Polonius, beloved by Hamlet.

HORATIO, friend of Hamlet.

POLONIUS, lord chamberlain.

LAERTES, son of Polonius.

VOLTIMAND, an ambassador.
CORNELIUS, an ambassador.
ROSENCRANTZ, a courtier.
GUILDENSTERN, a courtier.
OSRIC, a courtier.

MARCELLUS, an officer.

BERNARDO, an officer.

FRANCISCO, a soldier.

REYNALDO, servant of Polonius.

A GENTLEMAN.

A PRIEST.

A COMPANY OF PLAYERS.

Two CLOWNS, grave-diggers.

A CAPTAIN.

ENGLISH AMBASSADORS.

FORTINBRAS, prince of Norway.

GHOST OF HAMLET'S FATHER.

LORDS, LADIES, OFFICERS, SOLDIERS, SAILORS,

MESSENGERS, AND OTHER ATtendants.

SCENE

I

SCENE II
SCENE III

SCENE IV

ACTS AND SCENES

FIRST ACT

Elsinore-A platform before the castle.
Elsinore-A room of state in the castle.
Elsinore-A room in the house of Polonius.
Elsinore-The castle platform.

SCENE V Elsinore The extreme limits of the castle platform.

SECOND ACT

SCENE I Elsinore-A room in the house of Polonius.
SCENE II Elsinore-A state apartment in the castle.

SCENE I

SCENE II
SCENE III
SCENE IV

THIRD ACT

Elsinore A gallery with curtained alcoves in the castle.
Elsinore-A play scene in the castle hall.
Elsinore-The king's apartment in the castle.
Elsinore-The queen's apartment in the castle.

FOURTH ACT

SCENE I Elsinore-A royal apartment in the castle.
SCENE II Elsinore-A room in the castle.

SCENE III

Elsinore-Another room in the castle.
SCENE IV Denmark-A plain on the frontier.

SCENE V Elsinore-A royal apartment in the castle.
SCENE VI Elsinore-A room in the castle.

SCENE VII Elsinore-The king's apartment in the castle.

FIFTH ACT

SCENE I Elsinore-A churchyard.

SCENE II Elsinore-A room adjoining the castle hall.
SCENE III Elsinore-The castle hall.

MDCXVI

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

The Tragical History of Hamlet Prince of Denmark

First Act

SCENE I-ELSINORE

A PLATFORM BEFORE THE CASTLE

FRANCISCO at his post. Enter to him BERNARDO

Who's there?

Nay, answer me. Stand, and unfold yourself.
Long live the king.

Bernardo ?

Ber.

Fran.

Ber.

Fran.

Ber.

He.

Fran.

Ber.

Fran.

Ber.

Fran.

Ber.

Fran.

O, you come most carefully upon your hour.
'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.
For this relief much thanks; 'tis bitter cold,
And I am sick at heart.

Have you had quiet guard ?

Well, good night :

Not a mouse stirring.

If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,

The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.

I think I hear them: stand, ho! Who is there?