pensman

Act I

scene i

Is it a dark and stormy night? Not quite but the guards Bernardo and Francisco are nervous. And what kind of Danish names are those? Weren't these guys supposed to be descendants of Vikings? What happened to those great names these guys had in Beowulf? Names like Scyld or Unferth or Breca or Hrothgar. Those were names I'd expect a Dane to have.

To the point. It's midnight. Bad things always happen at midnight. Ghosts need better hours. Sorry, I gave it away. Yes, there is a ghost and that's why the guards are jumpy. For help, Marcellus has asked Horatio to spend a night and observe the ghost. Personally I would have sent for a priest rather than a student but then I'm not Shakespeare.

The ghost shows up. Of course he does. It resembles the dead king and Horatio is told to speak to it. Charging the ghost to speak the ghost stalks off offended. How do you offend a ghost and wouldn't you be happy that you had? Horatio, however, concludes the appearance of the ghost, ". . . bodes some strange eruption to our state." Well the money spent on his education wasn't wasted but why doesn't he just say I think this ghost means we're in trouble but who ya gonna call?

The ghost has nothing to say but the audience knows it will. Shakespeare's audience was quick to pick up on things like that. But Horatio has a lot to say. Marcellus gets to play straight man here by asking why are the cannon makers making cannons, and why is the king buying weapons, and why are the shipwrights working seven days a week? It is clear that Marcellus does not read The New Denmark Times. Thank God for Horatio who tells us Fortinbras (now dead King of Norway) fought Hamlet (now dead King of Denmark) and lost life and lands. Neat alliteration, yes? Young Fortinbras is not happy with death of dad, deprivation of deeds, and is determined to recapture legacy. He has raised an army and is determined to destroy Denmark. Perhaps this is why the ghost of the king is wandering about.

Did I say ghost? Here it comes. Stop it! Talk to it! Capture it! Oops. The cock has crowed and the ghost has vanished. Horatio has an idea! Let's tell Hamlet. Hamlet will know what to do? Sure he will.

scene ii

Enter Claudius spouting off background info for the audience. The king is dead, long live the king (me).  We have grieved; now we move on. Matter at hand: young Fortinbras wants his dead dad's land back but we (Claudius) have written to his uncle (King of Norway--gee, did Bill plan these parallel developments) and are sending Votimand and Cornelius (again rugged Viking names) to him with our letters. So much for that, now what else can we do to show we're in charge? Laertes, what's with this you want to return to school in France?

Laertes apparently knows where to have a good time and Polonius has agreed to let his son go off so Claudius has an easy decision. But now, Hamlet. Come on, dad's gone. That's the way of the world. Every son loses a father. Mourning is one thing but you're getting into depression big time. Be a man, get up and get going. Enjoy the court. Stay here with us. Forget Wittenberg too. Come to the feast tonight and watch me do serious Danish drinking. See you latter Ham.

Claudius is a real compassionate guy. Hamlet on the other hand is depressed. He's lost a father and a mother. Bad enough Dad is gone but geeze Mom how could marry Claudius so quickly. He's a pig. But wait. It's Horatio (and Marcellus and Bernardo) but it's Horatio. What are you here for, Mom's wedding. No, the funeral. Oh yes, notice how quickly she married. They were able to use the leftovers from the funeral to feed all at the wedding feast. Boy, is he bitter. Anyway, Horatio has some interesting news. A ghost resembling Hamlet's father has been haunting along the platform saying nothing but scaring the Denmark out of us. Hamlet reacts with curiosity at the full: "'Tis very strange." How about some questions? Is he armed, does he wear his beaver up, does he look pale or red? Pale or red? What kind of question is that? He's a ghost, he's transparent already. Pale or red. Conclusion. "all is not well." Hamlet must have been an A student at Wittenberg.

scene iii

Laertes: Bye sis. Don't sleep with Hamlet. Remember he's going to be king and will no doubt have to marry for political reasons and you should be more than a . . . (you get the idea).

Ophelia: I hear you but practice what you preach when you're off there in France with all those sweet young things.

Polonius: ( to Laertes) My son have a good time but a) don't tell people what you're really thinking, b) be friendly but stay reserved, c) trust proven friends only, d) don't get sucked into a fight but if you're in it, win it, e) listen to others but don't give up your secrets, f) dress well but don't be a dude, g) and don't loan money to anyone. Now have fun.

(to Ophelia) Don't sleep with Hamlet. If you do you'll get pregnant and I'll be stuck. Don't see him anymore.

Is Ophelia that easy?

scene iv

It's cold. (There's that Wittenberg wit being applied) What's the noise? Every time Claud downs a brew they blow the trumpets or tlow the brumpets or stow the strumpets. They make so much noise everyone thinks to be Danish is to be Drinkish and whoa, is that a ghost? Is it motioning for me? It is motioning for me! Let me go I'm off to meet the ghost! Marcellus (must also have spent sometime at Wittenberg) is able to discern, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."

scene v

Hamlet?

Yes.

I'm a ghost.

I can tell.

Hamlet, I'm your father's ghost.

Dad!

Listen, I've only got a short time before I go to Hell (sulph'rous and tormenting flames) so listen carefully. I was murdered.

Murdered?

Murdered.

Murdered!

Murdered, murdered, murdered. OK. Anyway. Claud did it and I want you to kill him for me.

Murdered?

Look. No serpent bit me. Claud poisoned me and now sleeps with my incestuous, adulterous, shamefully lusty wife, your mother.

Murdered.

Are you hearing me boy. Yes murdered. He dripped the stuff in my ears and my body got crusty and gross looking and I died.

"O, horrible! O, horrible! O, horrible!"

I think the boy finally got it. I want him dead. As for your mother, let her live so her conscience can drive her nuts.

Murder!

Not again. Yes murder. Now do something about it. "Remember me."

Remember? Remember! How will I be able to forget. Remember? All I will be able to do is think about how to kill Claud. "O villain, villain, smiling damned villain."

Hamlet? Hamlet? Hamletttttt?

Horatio?

Hamlet.

Horatio.

Hamlet?

Horatio, it's a ghost.

Hamlet? Hamlet. (See , this is funny. Horatio is asking is it Hamlet, Sr., Hamlet)

Hamlet, Horatio.

Oh, Hamlet.

Oh, Horatio.

SWEAR

Hamlet?

Horatio, it's the ghost.

SWEAR

Swear Horatio.

Damn.

No, swear you won't tell others about the ghost.

Swear?

SWEAR!

I swear!

From now on Horatio I will be playing a part. As I play it don't give me away. No whispers to others, no knowing looks or winks. It's a secret part I play and I wear a special mask: an antic disposition. I trust you Horatio so swear but "The time is out of joint. O cursed spite/That ever I was born to set it right!"

Here we are and it's only the end of act one and this guy’s unhappy. OK, his father's dead; murdered by his Uncle who is now married to his mother, which prevented him (Hamlet) from becoming king. Well, maybe he has a right to be a little upset. 

Act II. 

Some commentary

Hamlet is actually one of my favorite plays. Like most of Shakespeare's plays, every time I read it I discover something new. It is a great story with elements for everyone: ghosts, betrayal, lust, shattered dreams, accidental deaths, twists, and humor (dark humor)

While I will treat the play lightly in my presentation to hopefully make it accessible I will provide some serious thought in these asides. The situation is dark. Hamlet is not apparently the man who would be king. He's a student at Wittenberg and apparently likes the academic life. He has a father he loves, a mother who seems a decent sort, and the future with all the weights and responsibilities of being a king are well off. It's a life to be savored and enjoyed. But the bottom falls out. The beloved father dies and suddenly his mother is remarried to his uncle. What's happening here? Hamlet is suffering through an emotional shock. Anyone who has lost a parent, sibling, close relative, or friend knows the pain grief can bring. The dark well that you free fall through that makes the world seem "weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable. . . .an unweeded garden/That grows to seed, . . . rank and gross" A place of emotional pain you would rather be free of and contemplate "self-slaughter" as a choice. It is a hard, dark, place and the pain is overwhelming. It's anguish that only can be felt, not really shared. The words "I know how you feel" are not only empty but also a lie.

AIn this place of pain Hamlet now has to deal with the other problems that are calling to his attention. It's not an easy place. I think of the picture of Jackie Kennedy standing next to LBJ as he is sworn in as President. The woman has lived through the horror of having her husband die in her arms and now has to continue on. She has to preside at the President is dead, long live the President. I do not know if I would have such courage. But she acts for her children, her country, her duty as First Lady. She survives through will alone. Can Hamlet act as well?

As the play begins, Hamlet is depressed, bitter, angry, and upset. The pull of conflicting emotions is powerful. He doesn't want the responsibility of being king but understands the duty is his and he should be king not Claudius. (I am too much 'I the sun). He is grief stricken "seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not 'seems.'" He is upset. How could his mother marry his uncle (to post/With such dexterity to incestuous sheets). Is there no shame? Is lust in her so strong there is no ability to control the appetite? (Frailty, thy name is woman!)

Now in this emotionally weakened state having lost father and mother, he is told the man sleeping with his mother is his father's killer. This is enough to send the most stable of us off. As his emotional stability is being overloaded, Hamlet must act or find himself "shorting out." This play studies the actions of the man of destiny in extraordinary circumstances. This play reminds us of the increased difficulties and responsibilities that must be addressed by the person who has either chosen or been chosen to play a major role in the life of his country. How will they bear up under the strain?