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A behind the scenes look at Claudius following the course of Hamlet
Seen from his perspective and heard through his ears.
Whenever possible I tried not to repeat Shakespeare’s lines and, with the exception of the final scene, there is little overlap of scenes. A detailed knowledge of Hamlet is assumed to fill in plot gaps.
Scene I, a room in the castle
Enter Gertrude and Claudius
Claudius
Oh my Queen I do confess, I am a bit flushed
Gertrude
As am I my lord, flush with happiness
-kisses him-
Claudius
Ah my sweet Gertrude, you are a prize more valuable
even than all of Denmark. The sooner our marriage,
the greater my pleasure.
Gertrude
Then all the greater our happiness is. I hear a call to toast.
Claudius
I am satiate
Gertrude
My lord? I never believed I would hear the words.
Claudius
Let me take this moment to absorb
the pleasure of thy company. And perhaps
to speak, on a topic or two that lately
nibbles at mine ear.
Gertrude
Hamlet?
Claudius
I can hide nothing from you.
Gertrude
My lord I do not just now wish to speak
of my pouting boy. He will learn to love
your liege like a father, he needs only time.
Here let me ease you belt, thou art swelled.
Claudius
I fear he did not much love our person even as an uncle
Gertrude
Alack, the cursed difficulties between yourself
and his father. As unfortunate as it was,
at least he died when peace was between you.
My lord, I am reminded you have yet to touch with me
the resolution of those difficulties.
Such secretive men you are. But never mind,
I am not now much in the mood for talk.
Claudius
Ever fair and soothing, my sweet,
you speak truly. All will prove to be for the better.
Oh but I am tired. Give me but a moment alone
to rest and I will pursue you with two appetites
to thy one.
Gertrude
I will await
-exit Gertrude-
Claudius
Mine troubles have come to conclusive end.
Before me lies a vast kingdom of opportunity
only dreamed of months ago. Denmark is dawning,
she shuns her skeletons to the shadows.
I regret what I may have done unto my brother,
but I must withhold; it was the better for the country.
The national bonds to my many brothers
must o’ershadow the blood bonds to mine own.
True he was a most feared and excellent soldier,
but he was a flawed man;
I have shared in his sins by taking his life;
so even greater is my call to greatness.
Like a beast I am now display’d
before my people, to prove in their eyes
my worthiness and in it their stability.
To best serve my subjects I must serve myself.
And how best to serve myself
than to put my past where it belongs
and clear my conscience.
-Enter Polonius-
Polonius
How fares my lord?
Claudius
We are much invigorated. Young Fortinbras bothers us not; he is but a sulking nephew. He will learn respect for his seniors. Call attention in the hall, I have the urge to speak.
-exit Polonius-
Claudius
These fruits need be picked before they go to rot.
Scene II a hall in the castle
Enter Claudius Polonius walking
Claudius
I doubt still that Hamlet’s madness
is but young love; the possibilities abound.
Like was his father he is full of choler
and is easily churned to most consummate discord.
It stands to be that although he is young
and just emerging into manhood, his fancy likely follows
his sire’s advancement of the self above all else.
A selfish man has little reason to find madness
in desire for a woman. If he drop a flower while he walks
he would sooner pluck another from a passing bough
than stoop his back for the lost blossom.
Polonius
My lord? The evidence is even before you:
his languishing love note doth speak volumes
of madness apparent and madness
not yet e’en developed. As you are a man
content in love you may forget
the trials of the mind that a lover
is obligated to endure. Love is the greatest
foe to man’s sanity. He is caught
in a tempest of conflicting emotion.
One moment elation smites him
to swoon about doorways and take
happy toasts of sweet wine, another
brings gripping doubt and loathing,
he kicks dogs, shuns company,
and drinks foul ale to consume his sorrows.
My lord I see your hesitation.
Let us undertake this one test and see
with certainty what force guides the rash prince.
Claudius
Very well, we will try it.
Polonius
Good my lord, I will about to effect it immediately
-Exit Polonius-
Claudius
Could it be only young love? It has been so long since I felt such misguided love myself, but I do recall the humor he describes; how I cavorted and behaved not unlike the fevered march-hare. True that unguided love accompanies complete loss of sensibility and self regard. But how do I explain the coolness he pours in my direction? A trick of my imagination? No, I’ve come too far to be one who imagines. There is more to Hamlet’s madness and I must maintain my guard. My defenses must not be lowered just yet. A pox on this mess; I desire nothing more than to focus on domestic affairs -yet two whelps nip at my heels. When I turn to face them they shrink away so’st I cannot strike. I have nothing to fear? Pah! As long as hot venom flows in the veins of young Fortinbras there is danger to my state; As long as young Hamlet views my body through his father’s eyes there is danger to my office. From these pups grow wolves. To think I had done with the greatest difficulties of my endeavors only to find them anew, more taxing and less direct than before. I only ask for peace in which I may conduct my duties and yet this curse I have brought upon myself; I am plagued with troubles of a sinner for I have inherited the sins of a king.
Scene III a hall in the castle
-enter Polonius-
Polonius
I hear him coming: let's withdraw, my lord.
-enter Claudius-
Polonius
Here my lord, we should escape his detection.
-enter Hamlet and exit-
Polonius
See how he mutters to himself. Pure insanity!
Look now, he goes to Ophelia. He bows.
Present the gifts my dear. There she goes,
good my girl.
Claudius
He denies their giving.
Lord Polonius
That’s absurdity, of course he did give her them.
Should he deny even such simple truths –I fear
his madness may have sunk even deeper
than we may be fit to explore, my lord.
Look how he smiles crowishly at her earnest
and truthful explanations. But wait my lord,
he questions her honesty. Let us not jump
too quickly to abandon our hypothesis.
A jealous lover!
Claudius
Quiet, you’ll betray us.
Polonius
I loved you once? What means he that?
I loved you not? By sooth! This is madness.
That fool knows not what he says.
Claudius
He speaks of offences to his person.
Oh this bodes not well.
The threat is closer than I dids’t suspect.
Lord Polonius
He speaks of me! He calls me a fool!
Truly this boy is so consumed
with the madness of love he doth
not know of what he speaks!
Claudius
He speaks of one that will not live.
Polonius
And now he steals away, wrapped
inextricably in his madness of love.
Claudius
Love! his affections do not that way tend;
Nor what he spake, though it lack'd form a little,
Was not like madness. There's something in his soul,
O'er which his melancholy sits on brood;
And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some danger: which for to prevent,
I have in quick determination
Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England,
For the demand of our neglected tribute
Haply the seas and countries different
With variable objects shall expel
This something-settled matter in his heart,
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
From fashion of himself.
Till the time of his departure arrives
we must keep him under strict surveillance.
Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go.
Scene IV a room in the castle
Enter Claudius and Gertrude
Claudius
My dear, I am glad we are agreed
that Hamlet must for England depart.
His disposition of late has been very troubled
and it is best he is removed
from the source of his ill memories
so that he may recover his peace of conscience.
Gertrude
His father’s untimely death doth hang over him like a cloud.
Claudius
Yes, in England may he find sunshine.
(Aside) And take that infernal cloud with him so that I can find mine.
-Enter Polonius-
Polonius
My lord the players await.
Claudius
Very well, we are much deserving of a good play.
Scene V a hall in the castle leading to the green
Enter Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and attendants
Polonius
Lights light lights!
Claudius
Oh vile, twisted fate! Two Hamlets
do haunt me, my soul! My flesh!
Is it only a question of which will be first to fall?
Fresh air! I am choking!
Polonius
Good my lord, I have cleared a path.
All ye aside, the king desires some room!
Gertrude
Here we are my sweet, some light.
Claudius
Peace, away all, give me some peace.
Gertrude
Come, lord Polonius, Guildenstern, Rosencrantz,
lets us away to my closet.
-Exit all but Claudius-
Claudius
I am brought fresh remembrance of my dead brother.
My sins are foul. For to kill one’s brother
is sin enough to damn ten men to hell.
I have not rid Denmark of it’s sins,
they visit me nightly, and even now
in the dark of day. In this trick Hamlet
hath betrayed both himself and I.
I am uncovered as a bloody murderer,
what wilt I do? One of us must die.
Be it myself for my evil deeds,
or Hamlet, and with him dies their knowledge.
I think it better not to kill myself. That would be
a most rash and untempered thing to do
–it is not I who art mad. Then mine only path
is to sentence Hamlet. For what, my own sins?
Oh I wish it were not this way. But what canst I do,
I’m so deep in’t that I haven’t option
of redemption. I must carry through
and send Hamlet to England. Once he’s far
from Denmark, he can be dispatch’d easily;
with distance will the general outcry
be stifled. His madness will work
in our memories: transforming him
to a beast less than human. When word comes
that he has died in England it will seem
only for the better. Even his mother
will be persuaded to remorsefully
admit it. ‘Oh but such a cruel madness
it was that gripped him so’, They’ll say,
‘A true tragedy.’ A simple letter should be
all that is needed to effect these results.
And now already I can see peace
on the horizon. With one sin more
I will bring an end to the sins of a kingdom.
Although with a heavy heart I must
to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern immediately
and arrange the dispatch of my sweet nephew.
I must act quickly, I know not when
I will be again struck with a fit of conscience.
Exit
Scene VI a room in the castle
Enter Claudius
Claudius
A few days since the departure of
my troublesome nephew, and already
I felt releas’d of a heavy burden,
my conscious unknotted for the first time
hence my coronation. How much
that youth reminded me of his father
-the continued curse of his visage
no longer haunts me. Now I have word
he hast not reached England but even now
prowls Denmark. Oh the oppressive weight
hast returned and rests in its usual place
atop my breast. I know not what game
Hamlet comes to play but I know
my very life hangs on the outcome.
Therefore I will play it with him,
and I will play it better. With multiple
blades I will strike and can not help
but score with one. I must be swift in action;
the man who dallies dies.
-enter Gertrude-
Gertrude
My lord, what’s this I hear of Hamlet return’d?
Claudius
Alas, it is so. In his madness
most likely was he struck by impulse
to return. I beg you take care, the lost boy
is likely to seek out his mother.
We know not his current disposition
but fear the worst.
Gertrude
I know his heart, I think not he will
harm me. Perhaps he has come to terms
with his father’s death and returns to make amends.
Claudius
My lady, if only our prayers had been
so answered. You must notify
my person immediately if he comes
to you in secret, it is of highest import
his location be known to me;
for his own safety. There are many
whom do not forget the death
of most loved Polonius.
Gertrude
My lord, I want only to see my family reunited
and I regret what I might have done
to scatter my son so. I will greet him
only with the love of a mother.
Claudius
Sweet Gertrude, always so gentle.
You must be wary, you must not let thy love
O’er-take thy judgement.
Gertrude
My lord I have of late been too swayed
by judgement as you speak of it.
I must answer my duty to my son and to god.
-exit Gertrude-
Claudius
Curse that woman. No, no worry,
once she sees Hamlet is still a threat
she will be unable to deny his death.
She may be difficult to console,
but I know her passions well.
Scene VII a hall in the castle
Enter Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, Osric, Hamlet, Horatio and servants
Claudius
Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me.
-puts Laertes’ hand in Hamlet’s-
Hamlet
Give me your pardon, sir: I’ve done you no wrong;
But pardon’t, as you are wont to know
a gentlemen may know. This presence knows
And knows, Oh I know and you needs must hear.
I must punish; with sore extraction. What has been done.
Your honor and exception, roughly awake! I proclaim the madness.
Claudius
(aside)
Oh how my head swoons to hear him speak
so blatantly: he knows my deeds.
Hamlet
Was’t Hamlet wrong’d Laertes? Never, never Hamlet;
If old Hamlet from Hamlet taken away,
And when he is not himself he is beside himself.
Hamlet does it not, but not for long.
Who does it, then?
Claudius
(aside) Avert his stabbing eyes from mine!
Hamlet
His madness: if’t be so,
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong’d.
His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.
Sir in this audience.
Laertes
Who? who do-
Hamlet
Let my exclaiming at a perpoused evil
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts,
That I have shot mine arrow o’er the house,
And hurt my brother in indignity.
Laertes
I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most
To my revenge:
Claudius
(aside) Lord have mercy on my soul
Laertes
But in terms of honor
I must stand aloof; and will no reconcilement.
Till by some elder master of known honor,
I have a voice and precedent of peace.
Claudius
(aside) Oh thank you lord!
Laertes
Come, one for me
Claudius
With speed, young Osric, give them foils.
Cousin Hamlet, you know the wager?
Hamlet
Very well, my lord
Your grace hath laid the odds o’ the weaker side.
Claudius
I do not fear it; I have seen you both.
I do know he is better,
(aside) and there within lies my wager
we have therefore odds.
Set me the stoops of wine upon that table
If Hamlet give the first or second hit,
Or quit in answer of the third exchange
The king shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath!
Come begin, too long we delay.
-They play-
(aside)
come now Laertes make good your reputation
bury my blame in thy sword.
-hamlet scores-
Claudius
(aside)
My patience is spent!
Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine.
Here’s to thy health.
Hamlet
I’ll play this bout first; set it by awhile. Come.
Claudius
(aside)
Am I cursed, will I never be rid of him?
Gertrude! Do not drink
Gertrude
I will my lord; I pray you, pardon me.
Claudius
(aside)
The poisoned cup! It is too late.
Laertes
My lord I think I’ll hit him now
Claudius
I do not think’t
(aside) I fear I know not what I’ll do.
Hamlet
Come for the third Laertes you do but dally
Claudius
If Laertes strike not, I am undone
-they play-
Claudius
Part them, they are incensed
Gertrude falls
Osric
Look to the queen there ho!
Claudius
(aside) Quick poison spare not thy speed with the son
Hamlet
How does the queen?
Claudius
She swoons to see them bleed
Gertrude
No, no, the drink, the drink- Oh my dear Hamlet-
The drink, the drink, I am poison’d.
-dies
Hamlet
Oh villainy! Ho! let the door be lock’d:
Treachery! seek it out.
Laertes
It is here Hamlet, Hamlet thou art slain;
No medicine in the world can do thee good.
Lo here I lie, never to rise again. The king
The king is to blame!
Claudius
My trials o’ertaken for naught but
a slip of fate. Twas for the good I say,
the good; Claudius was a fair man.
No man is perfect, but our passions were for prosperity.
I desir’d greatness and do not all
find profit in an ambitious king?
Who is to lead best, but the determin’d?
Hamlet
The point! –envenomed too!
Then, venom, to thy work!
All
Treason! Treason!
Claudius
Oh, yet defend me friends; I am but hurt
Hamlet
Here thou incestuous, murderous damned Dane,
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?
Claudius
Tis odd, madness usurps premeditation, and with death, all is lost.
Hamlet
Follow my mother.
The king dies
Hamlet dies
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