Hamlet,Prince Of Denmark:Part2
Hamlet,Prince Of Denmark:Part2
Ophelia lives at the castle. She has a brother, Laertes, who is studying in
Paris. Ophelia is in love with Hamlet. One day, while she is sewing, Hamlet
comes to her room. Later she tells her father Polonius, a foolish old lord,
about Hamlet's visit.
'He looked so sad. He was only half dressed. He stared at me and then
he left without saying a word.'
'Is he mad for your love?'
'I don't know, but I think so.'
'I must tell the King and Queen.'
Polonius trusts Claudius and Gertrude. He has no idea that Claudius is a
murderer or that Gertrude has been unfaithful to King Hamlet.
'Hamlet's love for my daughter has made him mad.'
'That is possible… but how can we know for certain?'
'We shall hide while Hamlet and Ophelia are talking. We shall listen to
their conversation and discover the truth. You will see that I am right.'
Polonius gives instructions to Ophelia. He wants her to walk up and
down the castle hall, reading her prayer book.
'Ophelia, you must help us find out the truth about Prince Hamlet's
madness.'
'I shall obey you, Father.'
'Quickly, here he comes. Pretend that you are reading.'
Hamlet is thinking deeply. He wants to escape from his problem by
committing suicide. His mind is full of questions.
'To be, or not to be? That is the question. Is it better to live or die? But
what happens after we die? Nobody knows.'
'I am stupid! I must stop thinking and do something. I must discover the
truth.'
'But look, here comes Ophelia. Why is she standing there? Is it a trap?'
The Prince is angry with Ophelia because he realise that she is a spy for
her father Polonius and king Claudius.
'I loved you once.'
'I believed so.'
'No, I never loved you! All women are stupid. They paint their faces and
talk foolishly. Nobody should get married. Go away to a nunnery.'
The King does not believe that love is the reason for Hamlet's madness.
He is very suspicious.
'Perhaps Hamlet knows my secret.'
'We must watch him carefully. It is dangerous When a Prince is mad.'
'Poor Hamlet. Everybody admired him before. He was the perfect prince.
Now his mind is ruined. Help him, sweet heavens.'
Narrator: Hamlet enjoyed making fun of Polonius. One day, the Prince
was reading a book when he mat the foolish old lord.
Polonius: What are you reading?
Hamlet: Words, words words.
Polonius: But what is the book about?
Hamlet: It's full of lies. The writer says that old men are foolish, weak and
have grey hair.
Polonius: Hmmph.
Hamlet: Can you see that cloud, Polonius?
Polonius: Yes, my lord.
Hamlet: It looks like a camel, doesn't it?
Polonius: Yes, my lord.
Hamlet: No, I think it looks like a weasel.
Polonius: Yes, my lord.
Hamlet: Or perhaps it looks like a whale.
Polonius: Yes, my lord.
Hamlet: Goodbye, you foolish old man.