Act 2
Scene 1
A Room in Polonius' House.
[Enter Polonius.]
polonius. I've sent my friend, Reynaldo, to France to see what Laertes is doing. I hope my son is following all the good advice I gave him before he left. But, who's this coming? Ah, it's Ophelia. Oh dear, she's crying!
[Enter Ophelia, crying.]
polonius. How now, Ophelia! What's the matter?
ophelia. Oh father, I'm so afraid.
polonius. Of what, my child?
ophelia. While I was reading in my room, Hamlet came in. He was like a madman. He pulled me into his arms, but said nothing. His eyes and hair were wild and his face was bright white. Then, he ran about the room trying to take off his shirt. Finally, he left without saying a word. Oh father, what does all this mean?
polonius. Maybe he's become mad because he's in love with you.
ophelia. But, father, I haven't spoken to him anymore.
polonius. But don't you understand, my dear? That's why Hamlet has become mad. I'm sure of it. Come, my child. I must go and tell the King. I know he and the Queen are worried about Hamlet.
[Exit all.]
Scene 2
A Room in the Castle.
[Enter King, Queen, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.]
king. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern! The Queen and I need your help with Hamlet. We're worried about him because he's acting in a very strange way. I know he's lost his father, but I think there's something more. So, please, stay with us at Elsinore Castle. You're Hamlet's friends and I'm sure he'll be happy to see you. Maybe you can also understand why he has changed so much.
queen. Hamlet has often spoken well of you, his friends. Could you do as we ask and stay with us to help your dear friend Hamlet be happy again?
rosencrantz. We're pleased to help you, our King and Queen.
guildenstern. We'll do all we can to hear Hamlet laugh once more.
king. Thanks, Rosencrantz and kind Guildenstern.
queen. Thanks, Guildenstern and kind Rosencrantz; and please, go immediately to my too much changed son.
guildenstern. We'll go now.
[Exit Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.]
[Enter Polonius.]
polonius. My dear King, good news has arrived from Norway. I also think I've found the reason why Hamlet is so strange these days.
king. Oh! Speak to me about Hamlet.
polonius. First, I must tell you about the news from Norway. I'll go and call the kind man, Voltimand, who has brought the message.
[Exit Polonius.]
king. Did you hear, my sweet Queen? He says he knows what's worrying your son.
queen. I think it's no other than his dead father and our too quick wedding.
king. Well, we'll hear him speak.
[Enter Polonius and Voltimand.]
king. Welcome, my good friend! Tell me your news from Norway.
voltimand. First, the King of Norway was most upset when he heard that young Fortinbras wanted to start a war with Denmark. After speaking to his uncle, young Fortinbras understood his mistake. He's now planning a war against Poland and would like to pass through Denmark with his men on his way to Poland.
king. I'm well pleased with your news. I'll think about this business and give you my answer soon. Thank you for your hard work. Now go and sleep, and tonight we'll have dinner together.
voltimand. Thank you.
[Exit Voltimand.]
polonius. This business is well ended. Now, about Hamlet... your son is mad. But, the question is, why?
queen. Polonius!
polonius. Sorry, my dear Queen, I'll explain. I've got a beautiful daughter called Ophelia. I was worried when your son was interested in her, because she's so young and your son is a prince. So, I told her not to speak to Hamlet anymore, and since then, Hamlet has become mad. So there! This is the reason. Hamlet is mad because he's in love with Ophelia, and he thinks that she doesn't love him.
king. What do you think, my dear Queen?
queen. Maybe Polonius is right.
king. How can we be sure?
polonius. Hamlet often walks for hours in the castle. I'll tell my daughter to wait where he walks. We'll watch their meeting from behind a curtain, and see if he loves her or not.
king. We'll try it.
queen. Look! My sad son is coming now.
polonius. Please, go away now. I'll speak to him.
[Exit King and Queen.]
[Enter Hamlet, reading.]
polonius. Oh Hamlet! How are you?
hamlet. Well.
polonius. Do you know me?
hamlet. Yes, you sell fish.
polonius. I certainly do not!
hamlet. Have you got a daughter?
polonius. Yes, I have.
hamlet. Tell her not to walk in the sun.
polonius. [Aside.] Listen to that! Still talking about my daughter, but he didn't know who I was. He's far gone. I'll speak to him again. What are you reading?
hamlet. Words, words, words.
polonius. [Aside.] I'll leave him and plan his meeting with Ophelia. Dear Hamlet, I must go now.
hamlet. I'd like to go too, to leave this world.
polonius. Goodbye, dear Hamlet.
[Exit Polonius.]
hamlet. Crazy old man!
[Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.]
guildenstern. Hamlet!
hamlet. Guildenstern! Rosencrantz! My excellent good friends! Why have you come to Denmark?
rosencrantz. To see you, of course!
hamlet. This isn't true my friends. The King and Queen asked you to come because they think I'm mad. But, my uncle-father and aunt-mother are wrong. I'm only mad sometimes.
guildenstern. I'm sorry, Hamlet. They're worried about you. We only want to help.
hamlet. I'm afraid that nobody can help me. I can laugh at nothing in this world.
rosencrantz. I'm sure you'll enjoy the actors we met outside. They've come to the castle to do a play tonight.
hamlet. What actors are they?
guildenstern. The actors you liked in Wittenberg.
hamlet. Ah! Then, I must see them. I think I hear them at the door. Come in fine actors!
[Enter actors.]
hamlet. Welcome to Elsinore! I'm glad you're all well. I haven't seen you since Wittenberg and I want to remember how good you are, so please, could you tell me a story now? The story of Troy and what happened to their king, Priam, and their queen, Hecuba.
actor. Yes, of course! Listen...
[The actor tells the story of Troy. He talks most of all about how sad Hecuba is when her husband dies, and how much she cries.]
hamlet. [aside.] Look at this actor. His face is white and he's almost crying. [to actor.] That's enough for now. Thank you, fine man. I'll hear the rest soon. Now, one more question; do you know the play ‘The Murder of Gonzago'?
actor. Yes, we do.
hamlet. Well, you can do it for me on stage tomorrow, here in the castle. But, I'd like to write a new part for you in the play. Could you learn these new words for tomorrow?
actor. Yes, of course!
hamlet. Very well. Enjoy the rest of your day at Elsinore. I'll bring you the new part later.
actor. Thank you. I'll wait for you then.
[Exit actors.]
hamlet. Rosencrantz! Guildenstern! My good friends, I'll see you tonight for dinner. You too, can now enjoy your time at Elsinore.
rosencrantz. Good Hamlet, thank you!
[Exit Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.]
hamlet. Now I'm alone. I'm so weak, not useful for anything! It's terrible that an actor, telling a story, can feel more than me. He was almost crying for Hecuba! What's Hecuba to him? Instead, look at me! What have I done since I heard my poor father's story? Nothing! I say nothing; I do nothing, like someone in a dream world. I do nothing for a king, my dear father, killed at the hands of my terrible uncle. Am I too afraid to act? Why do I always say yes to my mother and her new husband? Why haven't I killed my uncle yet, the man who stole my father from me? And, as if this wasn't enough, he has also stolen the love my mother had for my father! What's the matter with me? Why am I so weak? I must do something to be sure that the words of my father's ghost are true. I'll write a new part for the actors in the play tomorrow. In this part, we'll see on stage, a story like the murder of my father. The king and queen will be there to watch the play. I'll look at the king's face to see the truth as he watches the play. Will his face become white? Will he be afraid? Will he be upset? I'll watch and I'll know the truth. Now, I must go and write the part.
