哈姆雷特

Part Three: The Play

Two university friends come to visit Hamlet. Their names are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. At first Hamlet is very pleased to see them. But they ask a lot of questions and he becomes suspicious.

'Why are you behaving so strangely?'

'What's the matter with you?'

'Tell us what you are thinking about. We are your friends.'

'I think the King has sent them. They are spying on me. I shall not tell them anything. I cannot trust anyone except Horatio'

Some traveling actors arrive at Elsinore. Hamlet loves the theatre and he greets them like old friends.

'Welcome to Elsinore!'

'We have come to perform a play for the King and Queen.'

'That gives me an idea, Horatio. I shall put some extra words in their play.

I shall put the Ghost's story on the stage!'

That night, Claudius and Gertrude watch the play. There are three characters —the Player King, the Player Queen and Lucianus, the Queen's lover…the murderer!

'I shall always love you.'

'But if I die, you will marry again.'

'No, never!'

'Do you like the play, Mother?'

'The lady speaks too much about love.'

All the court of Denmark watch the play. Ophelia, Polonius, Horatio,Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are all there. But nobody knows the secret of King Hamlet's death….except Claudius and Hamlet. On the stage, while the Player king is sleeping, the murderer pours poison in his ear. Hamlet watches Claudius's face carefully.

'This is the Ghost's story. If Claudius is afraid, I shall know he is guilty.'

Suddenly, Claudius stands up and runs out of the court. Everybody follows him. The actors do not know what the problem is.

'Lights! Lights! Stop the play!'

'Did you see that, Horatio? The King is frightened. The Ghost's story is true!'

After the play, Claudius feels very guilty so he goes to pray in the chapel. Hamlet finds him there.

'I want God to forgive me for my brother's murder. Perhaps, if I pray, he will help me.'

'It would be easy for me to kill him now. But if I kill him while he is praying, his soul will go to heaven. I want him to go to hell. I shall wait for another opportunity.'

'I cannot repent! God doesn't listen to my words!'

***

It's good to see you again, my friends. Let me give you some advice for the play tonight. First of all, you shouldn't speak too loudly or too quietly. If the audience can't hear you, they won't be pleased. But if you shout, they won't like it. Secondly, you shouldn't move your hands too much. But it's important to speak clearly, so the audience will understand you. Next,remember to pay attention to the meaning of the words. Last of all, don't add any extra lines to the play and don't change the writer's words. I'll repeat all that because it's important.

First of all, don't speak too loudly or too quietly. Secondly, don't move your hands too much, Thirdly, you should speak clearly. Next, you should pay attention to the meaning of the words. Finally, don't add any extra lines or change the words of the play.

Part Four: Murder and Exile

It is the middle of the night, the time for witches and ghosts. Hamlet goes to see his mother in her bedroom. He does not know that someone is hiding behind the curtain and listening to everything.

'Hamlet, why did you offend the king?'

'Mother, why did you betray my father?'

'Don't move. I want to talk to you. I want to make you look into the mirror of your soul.'

The Queen is afraid of Hamlet and she begins to scream. The spy behind the curtain shouts for help. Hamlet turns round quickly and without thinking kills the listener.

'Are you going to murder me? Help! Help!'

'Help! Murder!'

'What's that? Is it a rat? Is it the King?'

When Hamlet pulls backthe curtain, he sees Polonius… dead!

'What have you done? You have murdered Polonius!'

'I thought it was the King! I'm sorry that I have killed this poor fool. But Mother, I'm not as bad as you. You killed a king and married his brother.'

'What do you mean?'

Suddenly, the Ghost appears in the room. He has come to remind Hamlet to take revenge before it is too late. Gertrude cannot see or hear him,so she thinks that Hamlet is crazy.

'Hamlet, don't hurt your mother. Remember that you must kill Claudius.

Don't waste time!'

'What is he looking at? He's mad. Oh, my poor son!'

'Can't you see him, Mother? Don't you pity him?'

'Hamlet, here is nothing there except the air.'

The Ghost disappears.

'No, I'm not mad, Mother. Look at this portrait of my father. He was a good, brave, handsome man. Remember him and stay away from Claudius!'

'I will, sweet Hamlet.'

'But as soon as Claudius kisses you, you will forget everything and tell him my secrets.'

'No, I promise not to betray you.'

'I am glad, Mother. Now I must take away Polonius's body. Goodnight.'

When Claudius hears that Hamlet has killed Polonius, he decides to send the Prince away.

'Hamlet is dangerous. I shall send him to England. Perhaps he will recover from his madness in a different country. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, go with him and look after him.'

'I shall send secret letters to the King of England. I shall tell the English to execute Hamlet as soon as soon as he arrives. When he is dead, I shall be safe.'

***

Narrator: It was a long journey be sea to England. One night, Hamlet could not sleep because he was thinking about all his problems. He got out of bed and walked around the ship.

While Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sleeping, he stole Claudiu's letter to the King of England. To his surprise, he read these orders:

'As soon as Hamlet arrives, cut off his head.'

Hamlet quickly prepared another letter. 'Execute the people who bring you this letter,' he wrote. He signed it 'Cloudius'. Then he went back to his cabin and hid the original letter.

'When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern arrive in England,' he thought, 'the English King will execute them, But how am I going to return to Denmark?'

The next morning, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern woke up without realising that the letter had been changed.

罗密欧

Part Two: The Garden of the Capulets 

Romeo went to the party with Benvolio and his friend, Mercutio. They were all wearing masks . It was very dangerous for the Montagues and their friends to go to a party in the house of the Capulets.

'I cannot wait to see fair Rosaline,' said Romeo as they approached the house.

Lord Capulet welcomed them. 'Come in, gentlemen. Dance and drink and eat. Enjoy yourselves.' He did not recognise the son of his enemy, Lord Montague.

He spoke to all the guests. 'Now, girls, dance to the music. When I was younger, I whispered sweet things in the ears of the ladies. But now I am old. My dancing days are finished. I will sit here with the old people and talk about the past.'

As they went into the house, Romeo saw Juliet for the first time. He forgot Rosaline! He fell in love!

'Who is that lady?' asked Romeo. 'She is more beautiful than the moon. She is like a bright jewel in the darkness. She is like a dove ⑦

among crows has never loved until now.'

But Tybalt recognised Romeo's voice. 'It is a Montague. Bring me my sword. It is a great insult for a Montague to come here to laugh at our party. I

will kill him.'

'What's the matter, Tybalt?' asked Lord Capulet. 'That man in the mask is a Montague, uncle.'

'Be calm, Tybalt. Is it Romeo? He has a good reputation in Verona. This is a party. I want no trouble in my house. Let him enjoy himself.'

'No, uncle. He is our enemy.'

'Don't be cheeky , young man. I am the master in this house. You must do as I say.'

Tybalt did not agree but he did not want to make Lord Capulet angry. 'I will leave the party. I cannot stay here with a Montague in the room. But I will not forget. Romeo will have a good time tonight but tomorrow he will pay!'

Romeo went to Juliet and talked to her. He did not know who she was. He took her hand gently in his.

'My lips are ready to kiss you,' he said softly.

'I do not know you,' protested Juliet.

'I must kiss you,' insisted Romeo.

'Here I am,' said Juliet. 'My lips are here.'

Romeo kissed Juliet. He kissed her a second time. Then the Nurse came to take Juliet to her mother.

'That is Juliet. She is a Capulet,' the Nurse told Romeo. Romeo was very surprised and upset . He was in love with the daughter of the enemy of his family.

'Quickly, let's go,' said Benvolio. 'It is dangerous here.' Juliet asked the Nurse, 'Who is that young man?' 'That is Romeo. He is a Montague.'

Juliet was also very surprised and upset. She was in love with the son of the enemy of her family.

'We can never get married,' she thought.

After they left the party, Mercutio and Benvolio looked for Romeo.

'Look! He is there in the shadows . What is he doing?' said Mercutio.

'He is jumping the wall. He is going into the garden of the Capulets.'

Mercutio called out. 'Romeo! Madman! Lover! He is going to look for Rosaline.'

'Quiet! You will make him angry,' said Benvolio. 'His love is blind .'

Mercutio laughed. 'Good night, Romeo. He is probably sitting under a tree,

dreaming about that girl. He is mad.'

Mercutio and Benvolio went home. The night was silent.

In the dark garden, Romeo suddenly saw a light. Juliet was standing on her balcony. 'She is beautiful,' he thought. 'Her eyes are stars. They give light to the night. Her glove touches her cheek — I would like to be her glove!'

Juliet began to speak to the night. She did not know that Romeo was listening.

'Ah, Romeo,' she sighed .

'Speak again, angel,' he whispered.

'0 Romeo, Romeo! Why is your name Romeo? Let's change our names.

Then we can love. Forget that you are a Montague. Or, if you love me, I will not be a Capulet. Montague and Capulet are only names. A rose can have any name. It always smells sweet.'

Romeo called out. 'I will change my name for you.'

'Who's there?' asked Juliet. 'Who is listening in the middle of the night?'

'I will not tell you my name because it is your enemy.'

'I know your voice. Are you Romeo? But how did you get over the garden wall?'

'Love gave me wings . No walls can shut out love.'

'If my family find you, they will murder you.'

'The night hides me. I am safe. Love has sent me here to you.'

Romeo and Juliet talked together. Romeo knew Juliet's secret — she loved him. They decided to get married secretly.

'Will you be true?' asked Juliet.

'Yes, my darling,' replied Romeo. 'I promise by the moon.'

'But the moon changes. Will your love change?' 'Never. I will always love you. Do you love me?'

'I told the night that I loved you and you heard me. But I wish I had been silent.'

'Have you changed your mind ?'

'No, my love is as deep as the sea. But I must go. The Nurse is calling.

Good night, Romeo.'

'Good night, Juliet.'

The Nurse called: 'Juliet! Juliet!'

'I'm coming, Nurse. Good night.'

'Good night.'

'It is very sad and very sweet to say good night. But tomorrow, we will be married.'

Part Three: The Prince of Cats Romeo went to see Friar Laurence, his friend and teacher. The sun was rising and it was a beautiful morning. The Friar was working in his garden.

He was an expert gardener who knew all the plants — the poisonous ones,

the medicinal ones, the good and the bad ones.

'Friar,' said Romeo, 'I want to get married.'

'To Rosaline?' asked the Friar.

'No, I have forgotten Rosaline. She is nothing to me. I love Juliet and she loves me. You must help us. We want to get married today.'

'What? I see that young men's love is not in their hearts but in their eyes!'

'But Friar, you often told me that I was foolish to love Rosaline. Juliet is my true love.'

'Well, perhaps your marriage will make the Capulets and the Montagues friends. It is a good thing for Verona. I will help you.'

Benvolio and Mercutio were looking for Romeo in the streets of Verona.

'Poor Romeo,' said Benvolio. 'His heart is broken. Rosaline does not love him.'

'That's not his only problem,' replied Mercutio. 'Tybalt has challenged him. He has sent a letter to his house. He wants to fight him.'

'But Tybalt is dangerous.'

'Yes. Tybalt is the Prince of Cats. He is an artist with his sword . Romeo is a lamb . He will die.'

'Here comes Romeo.'

'He is already dead. Rosaline has killed him with her cold eye! To him, she is more beautiful than Cleopatra. She is the most beautiful woman that ever lived. Lovers are fools!'

Mercutio called to Romeo. 'Where did you go last night after the party? You ran away from us.'

'Excuse me. I was busy.'

'Busy with Rosaline, eh? Forget love, Romeo. Remember your friends.

Friendship is more important than love.'

'But look,' said Mercutio, 'here comes a fat old woman.'

It was the Nurse. Juliet had sent her to find Romeo.

'I must speak alone with you, sir,' she said.

Mercutio laughed.

'Is this your new girlfriend?' he asked.

'Go away,' said Romeo.

'Now, Nurse, what do you want?'

'First of all, I want you to promise that you will be kind to Juliet. She is very young. You must not hurt her.'

'I love her.'

'Then what do you want me to tell her?'

'Tell Juliet to come to Friar Laurence's cell this afternoon. We will get married there .'

'I love Juliet, sir. I remember when she was a little child. Look after her when you are her husband.'

The Nurse went back to Juliet who was waiting anxiously. She told her the news.

'Tell your parents that you are going to pray ,' said the Nurse. 'Then go to see Friar Laurence.'

The two lovers got ready for their secret wedding. In the afternoon, the sun was shining. Romeo went secretly to Friar Laurence's cell.

'The day is bright,' said the Friar. 'It is a sign that the future will be happy.'

'I do not care if I die tomorrow. It is enough that Juliet is mine.'

'Don't be so passionate. It is better to love moderately . Then love will last longer.'

At last Juliet arrived. She was very nervous. So was Romeo.

They were very young but very much in love. Friar Laurence was like a father to them. He took them into his cell and they were married.

Meanwhile, Benvolio and Mercutio were walking in the streets of Verona.

'Let's go home,' said Benvolio. 'The Capulets are out in the streets. If we meet them, we will have to fight. In this hot weather, young men do mad things.'

'Don't worry. We are safe.'

'Here come the Capulets. Tybalt is there!'

'The Prince of Cats. I am not afraid.'

Tybalt approached Mercutio. 'I want to speak with you.'

'Do you want to speak or to fight?'

'You are not a Montague but a friend of Romeo. That makes you my enemy.'

'Be careful,' said Benvolio. 'We are in the public streets. If you fight, the Prince will be angry.'

At that moment, Romeo came back from his secret wedding.

'Fight, you villain !' Shouted Tybalt.

Romeo did not want to fight because Tybalt was Juliet's cousin. 'I am not a villain. But I will not fight with you.'

Mercutio was angry because he thought that Romeo was a coward . He took out his own sword.

'What do you want?' asked Tybalt.

'I want one of your nine lives, Prince of Cats! '

'I will fight you as Romeo is too afraid to fight,' agreed Tybalt.

Romeo came between Mercutio and Tybalt as they began to fight.

'Stop fighting. The Prince will be angry. He will punish you. Stop fighting!

Stop, Tybalt! Stop, good Mercutio!' shouted Romeo.

But Tybalt took the opportunity to kill Mercutio. The sword passed under Romeo's arm as he stood between them. Then Tybalt ran quickly away.

Mercutio groaned . 'Aaaaagh! I am hurt. I am dying. Romeo, this quarrel between your families has killed me.'

'Are you badly hurt?' asked Romeo.

'A scratch , a scratch. It's enough. Bring me a doctor.'

'Be brave, Mercutio. It cannot be so bad.'

'Look for me tomorrow in my grave . The Prince of Cats has killed me.

Why did you come between us?'

'I wanted to help ...'

Mercutio fell to the ground and died. It was Romeo's fault . His friend was dead.