ACT I
SCENE I. Elsinore. A platform before the castle.
FRANCISCO at his post. Enter to him BERNARDO
BERNARDO
Who’s there?1
FRANCISCO
Nay,2 answer me. Stand, and unfold3 yourself.4
BERNARDO
Long live the King! 5
FRANCISCO
Bernardo?
BERNARDO
5 He.6
FRANCISCO
You come most carefully7 upon your hour8.9
BERNARDO
’Tis10 now struck twelve;11 get thee12 to bed, Francisco.
FRANCISCO
For this relief much thanks. ’Tis bitter cold,
10 And I am sick at heart.13
BERNARDO
Have you had quiet guard?
FRANCISCO
Not a mouse stirring.14
BERNARDO
Well, good night.
If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,
15 The rivals15 of my watch, bid them make haste.
FRANCISCO
I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who’s there?
Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS
HORATIO
Friends to this ground.
MARCELLUS
FRANCISCO
Give18 you good night.
MARCELLUS
20 O, farewell, honest soldier.
Who hath19 relieved you?
FRANCISCO
Bernardo has my place. Give you good night.
Exit
MARCELLUS
25 Holla20! Bernardo!
BERNARDO
Say—
What, is Horatio there?21
HORATIO
A piece of him.22
BERNARDO
Welcome, Horatio. Welcome, good Marcellus.
MARCELLUS
What, has this thing23 appeared again tonight?
BERNARDO
30 I have seen nothing.
MARCELLUS
Horatio says ’tis but our fantasy24,
And will not let belief take hold of him25
Touching26 this dreaded sight, twice seen of27 us.
Therefore I have entreated him along
35 With us to watch the minutes of this night,28
That if again this apparition come,
He may approve our eyes29 and speak to it.HORATIO
Tush30, tush, ’twill not appear.
BERNARDO
Sit down awhile,
40 And let us once again assail31 your ears,
That are so fortified32 against our story
What33 we have two nights seen.
HORATIO
Well, sit we down,
And let us hear Bernardo speak of this.
BERNARDO34
45 Last night of all35
When yond36 same star that’s westward from the pole37
Had made his38 course to illume39 that part of heaven
Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,
The bell then beating40 one—
Enter Ghost
MARCELLUS
50 Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again!
BERNARDO
In the same figure, like the King that’s dead.
MARCELLUS
Thou art41 a scholar42, speak to it, Horatio.43
BERNARDO
Looks it not like the King? Mark44 it, Horatio.
HORATIO
Most like. It harrows45 me with fear and wonder.
BERNARDO
MARCELLUS
Question it, Horatio.
HORATIO
What art thou that usurp’st48 this time of night,
Together with that fair and warlike form49
In which the majesty of buried Denmark50
60 Did sometimes51 march? By heaven I charge thee, speak!
MARCELLUS
It is offended.
BERNARDO
See, it stalks52 away!
HORATIO
Stay! speak, speak! I charge thee, speak!
Exit Ghost
MARCELLUS
’Tis gone, and will not answer.53
BERNARDO
65 How now, Horatio! You tremble and look pale54
Is not this something more than fantasy?
What think you on’t55?
HORATIO
Before56 my God, I might not57 this believe
Without the sensible58 and true avouch59
70 Of mine own eyes.
MARCELLUS
Is it not like the King?
HORATIO
As thou art to thyself.
Such was the very armor he had on
When he the ambitious Norway60 combated61;62
75 So frowned he once, when, in an angry parle63
He smote64 the sledded Polacks65 on the ice.
’Tis strange.MARCELLUS
Thus twice before, and jump66 at this dead hour67,
With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch68.
HORATIO
80 In what particular thought to work I know not69;
But in the gross and scope70 of my opinion,71
This bodes72 some strange eruption73 to our state.74
MARCELLUS
Good75 now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,
Why this same strict and most observant watch76
85 So nightly toils77 the subject78 of the land,
And why such daily cast of brazen cannon,
And foreign mart79 for implements of war;
Why such impress80 of shipwrights, whose sore task
Does not divide the Sunday from the week;81
90 What might be towarda81-1, that this sweaty haste82
Doth make the night joint-labourer83 with the day?
Who is’t84 that can inform me?
HORATIO
That can I;85
At least, the whisper86 goes so. Our last king,
95 Whose image even but now appeared to us,
Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,
Thereto pricked on87 by a most emulate pride,88
Dared to the combat89; in which our valiant Hamlet,
For so this side of our known world90 esteemed him,91
100 Did slay92 this Fortinbras; who by a sealed compact93,
Well ratified by law and heraldry,94
Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands
Which he stood seized of95, to the conqueror;
Against the which96, a moiety competent97
105 Was gaged98 by our king; which had99 returned
To the inheritance of Fortinbras,
Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same covenant100,
And carriage of the article designed101,
His102 fell to103 Hamlet.104 Now, sir, young Fortinbras,105
110 Of unimproved106 mettle107 hot and full,
Hath in the skirts108 of Norway here and there
Sharked up109 a list of lawless resolutes110,
For food and diet111, to some enterprise
That hath a stomach112 in’t; which is no other—
115 As it doth well appear unto our state—
But to recover of113 us, by strong hand
And terms compulsatory114, those foresaid lands
So by his father lost;115 and this, I take it,
Is the main motive116 of our preparations,
120 The source of this our watch and the chief head117
Of this post-haste118 and romage119 in the land.
BERNARDO
I think it be no other but e’en120 so.
Well may it sort121 that this portentous122 figure123
Comes armèd through our watch; so like the King
125 That was and is the question124 of these wars.125
HORATIO
A mote126 it is to trouble the mind’s eye.127
In the most high and palmy128129 state of Rome,
A little ere130 the mightiest Julius fell,
The graves stood tenantless131 and the sheeted132 dead
130 Did squeak and gibber133 in the Roman streets;134
As stars with trains of fire135 and dews of blood,
Disasters136 in the sun; and the moist star137
Upon whose influence Neptune’s empire138 stands139
Was sick almost to doomsday140 with eclipse.
135 And even141 the like142 precurse143 of fierce events,
As harbingers144 preceding still145 the fates146
And prologue to the omen147 coming on,
Have heaven and earth together demonstrated
Unto our climatures148 and countrymen.149
140 But soft150, behold! Lo, where it comes again!
Re-enter Ghost
I’ll cross151 it, though it blast152 me. Stay, illusion!
If thou hast any sound, or use of voice,
Speak to me.
If there be any good thing to be done,
145 That may to thee do ease and grace153 to me,154
Speak to me.
Cock crows
If thou art privy to155 thy country’s fate156,
Which, happily157, foreknowing158 may avoid, O, speak!
Or if thou hast uphoarded159 in thy life.
150 Extorted160 treasure in the womb of earth,
For which, they say, you spirits oft161 walk in death.
The cock crows.
Speak of it! Stay, and speak! Stop it, Marcellus!
MARCELLUS
Shall I strike at it with my partisan162?
HORATIO
Do, if it will not stand163.
BERNARDO
155 ’Tis here!
HORATIO
’Tis here!
MARCELLUS
’Tis gone!
Exit Ghost
We do it wrong, being so majestical164,
To offer it the show of violence;
For it is, as the air, invulnerable,
And our vain blows malicious165 mockery166.
BERNARDO
160 It was about to speak, when the cock crew.
HORATIO
And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons. I have heard,
165 The cock, that is the trumpet167 to the morn,
Doth with his lofty168 and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day169; and, at his warning,
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,170
The extravagant171 and erring172 spirit hies173
170 To his confine174; and of the truth herein
This present object175 made probation176.177
MARCELLUS
It faded on the crowing of the cock.
Some say that ever178 ’gainst179 that season180 comes
Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated,
175 The bird of dawning181 singeth all night long;
And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad182;
The nights are wholesome183; then no planets strike184,
No fairy takes185, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallowed186 and so gracious187 is the time.
HORATIO
180 So have I heard and do in part believe it.188
But, look, the morn, in russet189 mantle clad,
Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastern hill.190
Break we our watch up191; and by my advice192,
Let us impart what we have seen tonight
185 Unto young Hamlet193; for, upon my life,
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.
Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,
As needful194 in our loves, fitting our duty?
MARCELLUS
Let’s do’t, I pray; and I this morning know
190 Where we shall find him most conveniently.
Exeunt
1 Who’s there: The play begins with a question, which establishes a foreboding atmosphere.
2 Nay: but
3 unfold: reveal
4 unfold yourself: disclose your identity
5 Long … the King: It is the password, which sounds ironic because the King is dead in fact.
6 He: Him. (Me.)
7 carefully: punctually
8 your hour: point hour.
9 You … hour: He may be ironic, or even reproving, as if Bernado is only just on time.
10 ’Tis: it’s
11 ’Tis … twelve: The play begins at midnight. (Cf. I. iv. 4—5: “I think it lacks of twelve.– /No, it is struck.”) “Struck” is an anachronism, for clock was invented in early 14th century.
12 thee: you
13 ’Tis … heart: It creates an eerie atmosphere that runs through the whole play. (Cf. V. ii. 208—209: “thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here / about my heart.”)
14 Not … stirring: a sense of uncanniness
15 rivals: partners (in buddy system), fellow sentries
16 liegemen: men who have sworn allegiance to the King; subjects
17 the Dane: King of Denmark
18 Give: May God give (optative)
19 hath: has
20 Holla: hallo / hello
21 What … there: It is a pleasant surprise.
22 A piece of him: i.e. his hand (It makes some comic effect, hence a switch of atmosphere.). Cf. Twelfth Night, I. v. 26: “a piece of Eve’s flesh” (a girl); The Tempest , I. i. 56: “a piece of virtue”(piece: specimen)
23 this thing: the ghost (Cf. this dreaded sight; this apparition). The word “thing” can be used as a euphemism for undesirable things, e.g. seeing things, one of those things, etc.
24 fantasy: fancy, imagination
25 will … him: will not let himself believe
26 Touching: about, concerning
27 of: by
28 watch … night: keep watch through the night
29 approve our eyes: confirm what we have seen
30 Tush: Poof!
31 assail: attack
32 fortified: incredulous (military metaphors)
33 What: with what
34 Bernardo: What follows is a flashback, a theatrical device prevalent in ancient Greek tragedies, such as the chorus in Agamemnon , who introduces what’s happened before.
35 Last night of all: the most recent night
36 yond: yonder
37 pole: pole-star, Polaris
38 his: its
39 illume: illuminate
40 beating: striking, tolling
41 art: are
42 scholar: student
43 Thou … Horatio: Medieval people believed scholars (philosophers, e.g. Faust) knew witchcraft and could communicate with supernatural spirits.
44 Mark: observe closely
45 harrows: lacerates, torments
46 would: requires to
47 spoke: spoken
48 usurp’st: usurp: invade, encroach on (ironic, for it is the present king who is a usurper)
49 form: shape, appearance
50 Denmark: king of Denmark
51 sometimes: sometime, formerly (i.e. when he was alive)
52 stalks: moves in a stiff or stately way
53 ’Tis gone … answer: He is looking for his son Hamlet.
54 You … pale: Cf. V. ii. 349: “You that look pale and tremble at this chance” etc.
55 on’t: of it
56 Before: I swear before
57 might not: would not be able to
58 sensible: able to be sensed, confirmed by senses
59 avouch: avouchment, testimony
60 Norway: King of Norway (i.e. old Fortinbras)
61 combated: accented on the first syllable
62 When … combated: A foreshadow of the ensuing plot. This happened thirty years ago, in the very year when Hamlet was born. (How could Horatio possibly see him?)
63 parle: parley, talk; encounter
64 smote: past tense of smite, stroke
65 the sledded Polacks: Polish soldiers riding in sleds
66 jump: just, exactly
67 dead hour: dead night
68 our watch: as we stood on watch
69 I know not: I don’t know exactly
70 gross and scope: gross scope (hendiadys)
71 in the gross … opinion: in my general opinion
72 bodes: forebodes
73 eruption: revolt or disturbance
74 This bodes … state: The state is the King’s body politic. Cf. 128—130: “A little ere the mightest Julius fell” etc. I. iv. 99: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
75 Good: my good friends
76 watch: vigilance
77 toils: gives toils to, wearies
78 subject: subjects, inhabitants
79 foreign mart: foreign trade, expenditure abroad
80 impress: impressments, forced labor, conscription
81 Does…week: work without rest (Cf. Genesis 2: 2—3; Exodus 8—11)
81-1 toward: in prospect, about to happen
82 sweaty haste: personification
83 night joint-labourer: night guards
84 is’t: is it
85 That can I: Horatio plays the choric role who introduces antecedent happenings to the audience.
86 whisper: rumor
87 pricked on: stimulated
88 Thereto … pride: provoked to do this by a proud desire to rival the Danish king
89 combat: single combat
90 our known world: all Europe
91 For … him: an ironic comment
92 slay: kill
93 a sealed compact (accented on the second syllable): sworn agreement
94 law and heraldry: heraldic law (hendiadys), the law of arms
95 stood seized of: had possessed (his personal estates)
96 the which: which (i.e. the compact)
97 a moiety competent: an equivalent portion
98 gaged: engaged, pledged
99 which had: would have
100 covenant: co-mart, mutual bargain
101 carriage of the article designed: tenor of the agreement drawn up
102 His: his land
103 fell to: would be forfeit to
104 94—109: Jungle law: might makes right.
105 young Fortinbras: This is the first mention of Fortinbras (French: “fort en bras” = strong arm), the shadow of and complement to Hamlet.
106 unimproved: unrefined, undisciplined
107 mettle: courage
108 skirts: outskirts, bordering parts
109 sharked up: seized, gathered
110 a list of lawless resolutes: a mob of desperadoes
111 For food and diet: as cannon fodder
112 stomach: appetite, spirit of adventure (a maw image)
113 of: from
114 compulsatory: compulsory
115 So by his father lost: Hence a second revenging son-prince.
116 motive: cause
117 chief head: source, origin
118 post-haste: urgency, rapid activity
119 romage: commotion, bustle
120 e’en: exactly
121 sort: accord, fit
122 portentous: foreboding some calamity
123 figure: the ghost
124 question: cause
125 “Valiant” old Hamlet has left his country in turmoil and peril.
126 mote: dust
127 A mote…eye: Matthew 7:3 “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye?” It is the first mention of the Holy Bible. There are altogether 39 biblical mentions and quotations, 28 of them made by Hamlet.
128 palmy: triumphant, prosperous
129 palmy: triumphant, prosperous
130 ere: before
131 tenantless: empty, void of corpses
132 sheeted: wrapped in shrouds
133 squeak and glibber: made inarticulate noises
134 127—130: Cosmic correspondence. Cf. Julius Caesar, I. iii. 63, 74&II. ii. 14—24.
135 stars with trains of fire: comets
136 Disasters: threatening signs
137 the moist star: the moon, which governs the tides
138 Neptune’s empire: the oceans
139 stands: depends
140 almost to doomsday: almost as if it were the end of the world
141 even: exactly
142 the like: the same
143 precurse: precursor(s), warning signs
144 harbingers: heralds
145 still: always
146 the fates: Goddesses of Fate
147 omen: ominous events
148 climatures: climes, geographical regions
149 Unto … countrymen: Medieval Europeans generally believed in the doctrine of cosmic correspondence. (Cf. Macbeth, II. iii. 50—56; iv. 5—18)
150 soft: enough; be quiet
151 cross: cross its path; draw a cross (to ward off the supernatural)
152 blast: destroy
153 grace: do grace
154 That may … me: make you rest in peace and bring me credit
155 art privy to: have secret knowledge of
156 fate: destiny
157 happily: haply (perhaps); fortunately
158 foreknowing: advance knowledge
159 uphoarded: accumulated
160 extorted: wrongfully obtained
161 oft: often
162 Partisan: halberd
163 stand: stay
164 majestical: majestic
165 malicious: are malicious
166 mockery: mock (ineffectual) malice
167 trumpet: trumpeter, herald
168 lofty: high-pitched
169 the god of day: sun-god
170 Whether … air: Sea, fire, earth and air are the four elements.
171 extravagant: out of bounds
172 erring: wandering (e.g. knight errant)
173 hies: hastens
174 confine: proper home; place of confinement
175 object: sight
176 probation: proof.
177 This … probation: This recent sight has just proved its truth.
178 ever: every time
179 ’gainst: against, just before
180 season: late December
181 bird of dawning: cock
182 stir abroad: move beyond its confine
183 wholesome: healthy
184 strike: blast with misfortune, exert evil influences
185 takes: bewitches, puts under magical spell
186 hallowed: sanctified
187 gracioius: blessed
188 So … it: He is less of a scholar now!
189 russet: grayish, brownish
190 But … hill: Cf. Much Ado about Nothing, V. iii. 27—29: “and look, the gentle day, /Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about / Dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey.”
191 Break … up: Let us bring our guard duty to an end
192 by my advice: I suggest
193 young Hamlet: the first mention of the title hero
194 needful: necessary