Hamnet (2025) – Transcript

Hamnet (2025)
Director: Chloé Zhao
Screenplay : Chloé Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell
Based on: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Cast: Jessie Buckley (Agnes Shakespeare), Faith Delaney (Young Agnes), Paul Mescal (William Shakespeare), Emily Watson (Mary Shakespeare), Joe Alwyn (Bartholomew Hathaway), Smylie Bradwell (Young Bartholomew), Jacobi Jupe (Hamnet Shakespeare), Olivia Lynes (Judith Shakespeare), Justine Mitchell (Joan Hathaway), David Wilmot (John Shakespeare), Bodhi Rae Breathnach (Susanna Shakespeare), Freya Hannan-Mills (Eliza Shakespeare), James Skinner (Gilbert Shakespeare), Elliot Baxter (Richard Shakespeare), Dainton Anderson (Edmond Shakespeare), Louisa Harland (Rowan Hathaway), Noah Jupe (Hamlet), Raphael Goold (Horatio), Shaun Mason (Claudius), Matthew Tennyson (Gertrude), El Simons (Ophelia), Clay Milner Russell (Laertes), Sam Woolf (Bernardo), Hera Gibson (Francisco), Jack Shalloo (Marcellus)
Release dates: 29 August 2025 (Telluride); 26 November 2025 (United States); 9 January 2026 (United Kingdom)

Plot: A written prologue states that in Stratford, England, “Hamnet” and “Hamlet” were considered the same name.

William Shakespeare works as a tutor to help pay his family’s debt. He leaves his students after seeing Agnes Hathaway summon a hawk with her falconry glove, and they share a moment before he leaves. William’s mother, Mary, tells him that rumours persist of Agnes being the daughter of a forest witch, who taught her herbal lore which Agnes later uses to heal a cut on Shakespeare’s forehead. Agnes spends much of her time in the forest, where there is a mysterious cave. William visits Agnes in the forest, where she asks him for a story. He recounts the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, delighting her. Agnes predicts William’s future by holding his hand at the base of his thumb, foretelling a successful future for him and two children at her deathbed. The pair consummate their relationship, impregnating Agnes, leading her family to disown her and forcing her to move in with William. The pair marry, and Agnes gives birth to Susanna in the woods.

William fights back when his father, John, beats him for rejecting manual labour. Seeing William’s frustration with writing, Agnes suggests to her brother Bartholomew to send him to London for a theatrical career, leaving her and Susanna in Stratford. A while later, a pregnant Agnes tries to go outside to give birth, but William’s family restrain her in the house, where she gives birth to twins Hamnet and Judith, the latter appearing stillborn. Remembering the death of her mother, Agnes demands to hold the baby despite superstition, and Judith awakes. As 11 years go by, William becomes successful, returning intermittently while the children grow up very close. Agnes foretells Hamnet, who wishes to join his father’s theatre company, will flourish. Agnes’ hawk dies and is buried; she tells the children to make a wish to the hawk’s spirit, who she says will carry them in its heart.

Returning to London, William wanders through the streets during an outbreak of bubonic plague, and watches a puppet show depicting the plague carrying people off to death. In Stratford, Judith contracts the plague, but Hamnet evokes the tale of the hawk to encourage her. Later, Hamnet lies beside her, proclaiming he wants to take her place. Judith recovers, but Hamnet falls gravely ill and dies; on his deathbed, he envisions himself on a stage calling for his mother, and Agnes’ hawk appears. William rushes home and is distraught to find Hamnet lying in repose. His absence strains his marriage to Agnes as they cope with Hamnet’s death. William buys the largest house in Stratford and departs for London again. Agnes holds his hand and says she now sees nothing. William rehearses Hamlet in London, but is frustrated with his cast for not showing passion. In despair, he leans over the edge of a jetty on the River Thames and recites his “To be, or not to be” speech from the play.

Agnes’ stepmother Joan shows her a playbill for a production of Hamlet in London and upbraids her for marrying William, but Agnes rebukes her. Agnes and Bartholomew travel to London to see William. Finding him absent from his home, they resolve to attend the first performance of Hamlet at the Globe Theatre. Agnes is initially offended at her son’s name being profaned. Upon seeing William in the role of the ghost of Hamlet’s father, she realizes that the play is a tribute to Hamnet, and is moved to tears by the scene between Hamlet and his father.

Backstage, William, having noticed Agnes, breaks down in tears while listening to the play and returns to watch her from the wings. The play progresses through scenes of sword fighting, fulfilling Hamnet’s dream for an action role. During the scene when Hamlet dies, Agnes reaches forward for the actor’s hand, holding him at the base of the thumb, just as she had held William’s hand when they first met, and the rest of the audience reach toward the actor in turn. She envisions Hamnet on the stage, seen earlier as his dying vision, now moving from sadness to a smile before he disappears into the backstage through a hole like that of her mystical forest cave. For the first time since Hamnet’s death, Agnes laughs and smiles.

* * *

Transcript

Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.

♪ ♪

(birds chirping)

(wind blowing softly)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(birds chirping)

♪ ♪

(twig crackles softly)

(wind blowing) (leaves rustling)

(hawk chirping)

(Agnes whistles)

(whistles)

(hawk chirping)

(whistles)

(softly):

There you go.

There. You were hungry.

(chuckles)

(thunder rumbling softly)

(whispers): That’s it.

(students reciting Latin)

(students continue reciting Latin)

(continue reciting Latin)

(breathes deeply)

(students continue reciting Latin)

(chuckles softly)

Repeat.

(chickens clucking) (dog barking in distance) Good day, sir.

Good day to you.

What brings you to Hewlands?

I’m tutoring the boys here.

The Latin tutor.

I’ve heard of you. (sighs) What brought you into the garden?

Uh…

(chuckles) It’s just a question, master tutor.

Yes, I, uh…

I suppose the air was fresh out here, and… uh, I saw you with your bird.

It’s a hawk.

(softly): Ah.

May I?

Don’t get too close.

He doesn’t know you.

(whispering):

Oh.

(hawk murmurs gently) Hello, boy.

(grunts softly)

Ah. (laughing) He likes you.

(chuckles) What is your name?

I shan’t tell you.

(chuckles)

You shall.

I shan’t.

You shall.

I won’t.

You’ll tell me when we kiss.

(Agnes gasps softly)

What are you doing?

(breathing heavily)

Agnes.

(thunder rumbling softly)

My name is Agnes.

Where are you from?

Have I said something?

Huh?

No.

You don’t know who I am.

Wait, I wish to see…

You can’t see me again.

Oh.

(door opens)

Where have you been?

I was in the field helping Bartholomew.

A newborn lamb is unwell.

Well, I… I went to the field.

I did not see you there.

Well, I was there.

Tell her, Bartholomew.

She was there.

JOAN: Have you seen the new Latin tutor?

The glover’s son.

The boys said he just ran out, never returned.

He was supposed to give them lessons to pay off his father’s debts.

I haven’t seen him.

Well, should’ve known better.

Like father, like son.

(spits)

(Agnes sighs)

You know, I do believe you are the prettiest girls in the parish.

CATERINA: We are.

JOAN: One day, I shall have my wits about me (dog barks) for all the suitors that will come for you.

CATERINA: Agnes is the eldest.

She’ll marry first.

JOAN: She will not if she keeps running off to the forest like a gypsy.

(church bell tolling) (busy chatter)

(clicking tongue)

(quiet chatter)

Where have you been?

We were expecting you hours ago.

I was…

Well?

I was working.

Sit. Sit.

Your supper’s near cold.

Uh, boys, boys!

Hey. Stop.

There’s enough for all.

How go the lessons at Hewlands?

Those boys are no scholars.

I wonder at the notion of all that learning. Hmm.

Latin for boys who will be naught but sheep farmers.

It is the putting on of airs.

No, no, no!

That will do!

All right, Gilbert.

(Gilbert laughs)

JOHN: You heard your mother.

There’s enough for all.

You speak ill of the boys at Hewlands.

“They’re no scholars.”

But I tell you something, they’ll ever be more of a man than you are.

They are put to honest work, unlike you.

Useless, tradeless, your fancy airs.

All that education, not an ounce of sense.

(grunts) I’m tutoring those boys to pay your debts to that family, am I not?

(chuckles): Your immeasurable amount of debt to that family.

I’m not…

Stop!

What of the rest of the family at Hewlands? Have you met them?

The mother only.

Not the eldest daughter?

No.

It is said the girl is the child of a forest witch.

ELIZA: I’ve seen her, wandering the back roads alone with a hawk on her arm.

A hawk at Hewlands?

ELIZA: Yes.

They say she takes him to the forest with her unaccompanied.

Yeah, but are you certain, Eliza?

The eldest daughter keeps a hawk, not a servant girl?

ELIZA: Yes. Yeah.

(hawks screeches in distance)

(Agnes humming a tune)

Agnes.

Hello.

What are you doing here?

Brought you this.

What is it?

It’s, uh… it’s a new glove for your bird.

I have a glove.

(grunts)

Agnes.

(chuckles)

Agnes, wait.

I know who you are.

Who am I?

Well, I… I don’t know you, but I’ve heard things…

I’m the daughter of a forest witch?

Yes. People say that, but I-I don’t care…

I am my mother’s daughter.

I’ve learnt many things from her.

What are you looking at?

You.

Why?

(chuckles)

I… I thought you were a man of words, master tutor.

Yes.

Are you not?

(stammers) Speaking with people is sometimes difficult for me.

Well, tell me a story, then.

A story?

Yes.

What story would you like?

Something that moves you.

All right.

Do you know the story of Orpheus and Eurydice?

Orpheus is a man of music.

He has this exquisite voice.

His playing of the kithara, which is a… is-is a harp-like lyre, is so divine, birds, the… the beasts, e-even the stones and the trees, they all moved to the rhythm of his music.

Now, Orpheus falls in love with this beautiful nymph, Eurydice.

Soon after their marriage, Eurydice’s bitten by a viper and poison courses through her body, and she’s killed.

♪ ♪

And Orpheus, filled with grief, journeys to the underworld to take her back.

He charms this three-headed dog, Cerberus.

He beguiles Hades until finally… he’s allowed to take his love back with him to the world of the living but… under one condition.

What is it?

She must follow behind him, and he must not turn around to look at her.

Now, as they begin their ascent, Orpheus can’t hear her footsteps, so he listens… and listens and listens and listens.

(sighs)

But all he can hear is the sound of his heartbeat.

And the rest is silence.

And as he approaches the gates of the underworld…

(chuckles)

…he can’t contain himself any longer.

He turns around to look at her, and she is… trapped in the underworld forever.

(chuckles softly)

(softly):

Hmm.

That was a good story.

Did you like it?

AGNES: Remember, mugwort, what you brought to pass, what you readied at Regenmeld.

You’re called Una, the most ancient plant.

You defy three, you defy 30, you defy venom, you defy air illness, you defy the horror that stalks the land.

And you, waybread, plant mother, you’re open to the east yet mighty within.

Carts creeped over you, women rode over you.

You withstood it all, and you pushed back.

TUTOR: Is it true that you know everything about a person by touching them here?

AGNES: Not everything.

When you touched me here, what did you see?

I saw a landscape.

You saw a landscape?

Mmhmm.

AGNES: Spaces, caves, cliff tops, tunnels and oceans, this deep, dark, black void, undiscovered countries.

(students reciting Latin)

♪ ♪

(students continue reciting Latin) She speaks…

(pen scratching paper) She speaks, she speaks.

(whispering):

But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

…and kill… the envious moon.

(dog barking in distance)

(panting)

TUTOR: Hello.

AGNES: Hello.

(panting continues)

I wish to be handfasted to you.

No, I… I must be handfasted to you.

No one else will do.

I-I will speak with your stepmother and your brother, and of course they will not agree, but…

(chuckles)

I don’t care because I have no talent for waiting.

I cannot abide waiting.

What about your parents?

(chuckles) Your parents will never agree.

(breathing heavily)

Follow me.

(breathing heavily)

(heavy breathing continues)

(Agnes moans)

Wait. Wait. W-Wait.

(panting)

(Agnes moaning)

No!

No!

(both laughing and screaming playfully)

♪ ♪

(grunts)

(both panting)

AGNES: My glove.

This is my mother’s glove.

Hmm.

She came out of the woods… like her mother and her mother before her.

The women in my family see things… that others don’t.

ROWAN: Agnes.

(sniffs)

ROWAN and YOUNG AGNES: Remember, mugwort, what you brought to pass, what you readied at Regenmeld.

You’re called Una, the most ancient plant.

You defy three, you defy 30, you defy venom, you defy air illness, you defy the horror that stalks the land.

ROWAN: Bartholomew, it will heal.

Will it make a scar?

It may. That’s no bad thing.

Listen.

Do you hear that?

You must pay attention to your dreams, Agnes.

They will always guide you.

♪ ♪

Good day.

Good day.

Yes.

Agnes, what’s, uh… what’s happened?

Her mother has banished her from their house.

She’s not my mother.

The house belongs to my brother, Bartholomew.

I chose to leave.

MARY: She’s with child.

Oh.

Says it’s yours.

(Agnes chuckles)

Is it? Yours?

Uh…

The child in her belly, did you put it there?

I did.

We are handfasted, Mother.

We will never allow it!

There is no sin in it.

I’m afraid you will need our consent, and we will…

There is no sin in it!

…we will never give it, ever!

All right!

What?

You’ve been bewitched.

No.

I’d rather you went to sea than marry this wench.

JOHN: Mary.

There’s no need for that.

I have no doubt we can come to an arrangement.

MARY: John.

JOHN: Hush, woman.

I am certain you are eager to see your sister before the altar.

I’m certain you’d rather not see your boy dragged before the bawdy court.

JOHN: There’s no need for that.

They said they are handfasted.

Only if I say so.

But why marry a pastyfaced scholar?

What use is he?

He’s got more inside of him than any man I’ve ever met.

Everything will change.

You. You will change.

I’m already changing.

It’s too quiet in there.

In where?

That house.

What would our mother say to us if we were afraid or uncertain?

To live with our hearts open.

BOTH: To shut it not in the dark but to turn it to the sun.

(Agnes chuckles)

He loves me for what I am, not what I ought to be.

Then marry him you shall.

Thank you.

Remember, mugwort…

(both chuckle)

Say it with me. Say it with me.

What you brought to pass, (chuckles):

what you readied at Regenmeld.

You are called Una, the most ancient plant.

(Agnes chuckles)

BOTH: You defy three, you defy 30, you defy venom, you defy air illness, you defy the horror that stalks the land.

♪ ♪

Look at me.

Look at me.

(wind whistling softly)

(breathing heavily)

(breathing heavily)

(wind whistling)

(pained groaning)

(groaning continues)

(screaming)

(groaning)

(breathing heavily)

(groaning continues)

(wind howling)

(screams)

(gasping)

(wind howling)

(pained groaning)

(wind gusting)

(breathing heavily)

(wind howling)

(wind gusting)

(screaming)

(wind howling)

(screaming and howling stop abruptly)

(whispering softly)

(footsteps approaching)

BARTHOLOMEW: Agnes.

(baby cooing)

(panting)

(baby cooing)

(baby cooing)

Ah.

(chuckles)

(Agnes chuckles)

Oh.

Oh.

♪ ♪

(panting softly)

♪ ♪

(baby crying loudly)

(Agnes chuckling)

Hey.

(whispering playfully)

(crying stops)

Look at that. Look at the fire.

Mmm, what’s that?

(footsteps approaching)

The doggy dragged something in.

There’s something.

(baby fussing) Oh.

Daddy’s coming.

Hello.

(baby crying)

(Agnes chuckles)

(Agnes speaks softly)

(crying continues) JOHN: Stitches need to be smaller.

M-Much smaller.

Yes.

Hmm.

Useless.

Okay, and now… smaller.

Where are you going?

I’m going.

Get back to work.

(grunting)

(panting sharply)

That was the last time you will ever hit me.

Do you understand?

Do you understand?!

Yes.

(soft scratching)

(cup taps)

My love, you should come back to bed.

What are you writing?

Nothing of note.

It’s never nothing.

I don’t know.

Perhaps when it’s finished, it will…

Perhaps when it’s finished.

Why don’t you read me what you’ve written?

A-Agnes, it’s not-It-It’s not finished.

(chuckling)

It’s not finished.

(breathing heavily)

(shushes) (screams) Stop it. You’ll wake the baby.

(baby crying)

(shushing)

It’s okay.

No.

(crying continues)

(Agnes chuckling)

I’m sorry.

(crying continues)

(groans)

I’ve had too much, uh…

(shushing) Agnes, I’ve had too much to drink.

(grunts) (crying stops) I’ve had…

(groans)

I’ve had too much to drink.

(shushing) (sighs) Hey.

What is it?

(grunts) Give me your hand.

Pl-Pl-Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please.

What are you afraid I will see?

Please stop.

That I am a violent and dangerous man.

No, you are none of those things.

How do you know?

You’re a good man. You’re a…

You are a good man.

(crying) You’re a good man.

Is it that you wish that we never wed?

(sighs)

How could you say such a thing?

How could you say such a thing?

You and Susanna are all that I live for.

All that I live for.

What is it, then?

(stammers)

(sighs)

Here. Look at me.

Just stop!

Stop, stop. Please, please, please, please, please, please.

Look at me.

(stammers) Listen. Listen. Listen.

I’m lost. (stammers) I’ve lost my…

I’ve lost my way.

I just need touh, Agnes, I just need to work.

AGNES: He’s not sleeping.

BARTHOLOMEW: Has he ever lost his temper with you? No.

If he raises a hand…

No, he has never.

He’s never.

He’s angry with himself.

He’s sick with himself.

He’s a good man.

He’s a good husband, he’s a good father, but he n-needs more.

What could he possibly need other than his family and you?

He has you.

He needs to go to London.

London?

Yeah.

Why London? Because London is where the whole world gathers.

Perhaps he could extend his father’s business there.

Oh, you’re being hasty again.

Who knows what he may be…

I’m not being hasty.

He needs more.

Well, he needs proper work.

He’s not of this world.

The man needs proper work.

What’s in this little town?

He can’t just run away.

This little life?

This little thing, it’ll…

(frustrated grunt)

…crush him.

He needs distance from his father.

And you would go with him to London?

No, I’ll wait until he’s settled.

There’ll be more of us soon.

Another child?

Yes. By summer’s end.

(scoffs) Then now is not the time to send him away.

I’ll lose him.

I’m already losing him.

You’ll lose him if you send him away.

No, I know, I know that our love will keep us steady.

Please.

Will you speak to his father?

He’ll listen to you if you suggest him going to London.

Please.

HUSBAND: I should find lodgings.

Be near the river, close to the tanneries.

But I’m told that the currents in the river are dangerous and that you must engage an experienced boatman every time you cross, and I’ll be certain to do that every time, I promise.

And I will think of you and Susanna with every passing moment.

And I will find us lodgings in London, and we shall all be together again.

♪ ♪

Do you still not know if it’s a boy or a girl?

AGNES:

(sighs) No.

Don’t know why.

Have you not said that you would always have two children?

Yes.

Two children at my deathbed.

Well, then, here is the second.

(Agnes chuckles)

We won’t say goodbye.

No.

Get

Go.

(sighs)

(thunder rumbling)

♪ ♪

(breathing heavily)

(breathing heavily)

You going somewhere?

No, I’m just…

Yes, I’m going to the lake…

You’re not going to the forest.

I must.

No, you must not. Gilbert!

You… you have to let me go there.

(stammers) Let me go there!

Miss Agnes.

You must let me go!

The river has burst its banks!

There is no way…

Let me!

There’s no way to get to the forest. Let me! No!

We have everything ready for you. My baby!

No, my-my baby.

(thunder rumbling)

(crying):

I can’t.

(groans)

(mumbling indistinctly)

I will not have my baby in this house.

Not in this house.

No.

The river.

Hush, hush, hush, hush. Hush.

No, no, no, no.

He spoke about the river.

The river is dangerous.

He may be swept downstream!

(screaming)

Agnes. Agnes. Agnes.

Agnes, all is well with him.

Do you not recall his last letter?

MIDWIFE: Stop the screaming.

(gasping) You’ll wake the whole town.

(panting):

He sound…

He sounded different.

MARY: No, he had good news for us.

The theater.

Theater.

He has a contract with the players to make gloves for the theater.

For the gloves. For the gloves.

(Agnes groaning)

Agnes, hush now.

Hush. Hush. Hush.

Bear down. Bear down.

(screaming)

(screaming louder)

(baby crying)

MIDWIFE: Ah! Ooh!

There we go.

MARY: It’s a boy.

There we go.

(chuckles) Good boy. Good boy.

(crying continues)

ELIZA: It’s a boy.

(breathing heavily)

It’s a boy.

(Mary chuckling)

AGNES: My boy.

(breathing heavily)

(Mary shushing)

ELIZA: Thank you.

(mumbling breathlessly)

(gasps)

(groaning)

(groaning continues)

MARY: What is it? What’s happening?

MIDWIFE: She’s starting again.

You’re having twins, my girl.

MARY: Come on, Eliza.

Here. Quickly.

Take him.

(Agnes groaning)

AGNES: No, no.

Two standing at my deathbed.

(breathing heavily)

I always believed that it would be… that they would be my children.

And now… now I see it will be you.

We need to get you to the stool.

It’s coming. It’s here.

No.

Come on. Come on up. Up, up.

I can’t… I…

I can’t.

(women grunt) Go.

I should never have…

I can’t…

I can’t make it.

I got it wrong. I got it wrong.

I got it… (mumbles) He… He’s not here.

(crying):

He’s… He’s not here.

Agnes, you can… and you must.

I cannot.

(sniffles, kisses)

Agnes.

(Mary sniffles)

You can… and you will.

Your husband was born here in this room.

He took his first breath there by the window.

(sighs) Please.

♪ ♪

Please let this child live.

Let this child live. Please.

Will you let him…

Let him come back and be with his child.

Please.

Let him think kindly of me always.

Remember me.

(gasps)

Mama.

Mama.

Mum? (breathing heavily)

(hushed chatter)

WOMAN: Just too weak.

She was in too much pain.

I mean, poor woman.

She just got weaker and weaker.

I mean, that’s just the way of it sometimes.

Sheshe must have known the end was nigh.

Best not speak of her to the children.

Safer with a different mother.

So young.

They may not remember her.

(crying): Mum!

Agnes. Agnes.

Mama, no!

No, no. Agnes.

Child. Child.

Mummy, no!

No, no, no. Ch-Ch-Ch–

No.

No!

No.

No, let me see her!

No, no!

Let me see her!

No!

No, Mama!

Agnes.

No!

(crying):

Mum. I want, I want my mum.

(crying)

I want my…

(wailing)

(breathing shakily)

(groaning)

(sniffles)

(screaming)

(gasping)

MIDWIFE: Oh! Here we go! It’s a girl!

It’s a girl. She’s…

(panting):

It’s… Wait.

(blows)

Come on. Come on.

AGNES: Why is she not crying?

(midwife blows)

Why is she not crying?

MARY: She lives not.

Let me have her.

MIDWIFE: You should not look upon her. It’s bad luck.

Give her to me.

I’ll make sure it gets a decent burial.

Give me my child!

(whispers):

My child.

MARY: Agnes, you have a baby boy.

Let me bring him to you, and you may feed him.

The girl has gone to heaven.

She’s not gone to heaven.

I made a vow the night my mother died.

I will go to your church, but I shan’t say a word there.

♪ ♪

(baby cooing softly)

(baby breathing)

(object clatters)

(footsteps approaching)

(Agnes gasping softly)

(baby cooing)

MIDWIFE: Yes. Yes.

(laughing)

(sighs)

You will live.

You will live.

I will make sure nothing ever takes you away.

(birds chirping)

(kids chattering faintly)

(laughter)

JUDITH: I actually couldn’t find it.

(grunts)

Hmm.

HAMNET: Here.

Perfect.

I found my hat.

JUDITH: Okay. Yes.

(chuckles)

Okay, take that side.

Take that side.

HAMNET: Yeah.

JUDITH: And put it around here.

Perfect.

Ooh. Sorry.

Let me help you.

(laughing)

It’s down my face.

(both laughing)

I’m Hamnet.

I’m Hamnet.

I’m Judith.

I’m Judith.

(Hamnet and Judith chuckling) (footsteps running) There will be no running in this house.

Conduct yourselves, please, as… gentlewomen and gentlemen.

(Hamnet and Judith laughing)

Where are you going?

JUDITH: Yeah. He’s-he’s coming.

He’s coming.

HUSBAND: Hello.

MARY: Hello.

We all know they’ve swapped clothes.

How long are we going to pretend we don’t?

We’ll pretend for as long as they think they’re the same.

Hi.

Father, will you help me with the Greek passage from yesterday’s lesson?

Hamnet, I thought you’d already learnt it.

JUDITH: I didn’t because I left my primer at school.

(chuckles) Well, Hamnet, you need to take your studies seriously.

How do you expect to improve if you’re not…

(speaking Ancient Greek)

(gasps softly)

(laughing)

You rascals.

Did we trick you?

Of course you did.

You swapped places to hoodwink me again.

(kissing) (Hamnet and Judith giggling) Susanna, come here.

Come here.

(husband chuckles)

(whispering):

Now, do you remember the thing we were going to do for your mother?

Yeah. You remember?

You ready to do it? Yeah.

Okay. Go outside quickly.

(normal voice): Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go.

Just step toward…

(chuckling): Wait.

One st–

Come to your right. Step.

(chuckling):

Step. One more.

One more.

(both laughing) (pot clanks) (gasps)

(Hamnet and Judith cackling)

(Agnes laughing)

When shall we three meet again?

In thunder, lightning or in rain?

When hurly-burly’s done, when the battle’s lost and won!

(cackling)

SUSANNA: That will be ere at set of sun.

Where the place?

Upon the heath.

(laughing)

SUSANNA: There to meet with Agnes.

I come, Graymalkin.

Paddock calls.

Anon!

(husband laughing) (chanting):

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Hover through the…

(playful squealing, laughter)

HUSBAND: Well done!

That was amazing!

AGNES: Dig it deep, and then you move all of it to the side, and then you put it down here.

Right? And then you get the soil around the sides, and then you pat it more.

And then you get bits like that.

And you rub it in your hands.

(hands rubbing) Whoa. And then back! (grunts) Do this.

And when you’re doing this, circle.

(chuckles):

Yeah, like that.

Ready?

Forward. And back.

Now, parry, parry, parry.

Good. Again.

(grunting)

Now, after that one, I’m gonna do this, and you get out of the way.

Ready? Circle off.

Spin your sword.

No.

Circle, spin your sword.

Now, come forward.

(grunts) And go back.

One, two three. (grunting) Out of the way! (grunts) Very good. Again.

AGNES: Judith, what’s this one called?

SUSANNA: Thyme. Thyme.

Rosemary.

AGNES: Thyme. Thyme. Thyme.

Thyme. Thyme.

(laughter)

I got it mixed up.

That’s okay.

This one…

JUDITH: Now, that’s rosemary.

SUSANNA: Yeah.

AGNES: And what is rosemary for?

Putting it in apples.

JUDITH: Apples.

AGNES: No. Rosemary’s for?

Remembering.

(Judith speaks indistinctly)

AGNES: Remembering.

(Judith chuckles)

(wind blowing softly)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Now, you’re to rub all this in your hands.

You blow a little wish.

To wish him on his way.

Yeah?

And it’s your secret with him.

(whistles)

Did you see him?

Did you not see him in the sky?

All right, do it again.

(chuckles softly) Make another wish.

(blows)

(whistles)

Look. Right up there.

Look, just there.

Did you see him?

And he’s got all your wishes tucked in his little heart.

So any time that you want to remember him, you just have to go…

(whistles)

Where are you going?

(Judith giggles) Huh? I’m gonna catch you!

I’m gonna catch you!

(laughter, playful chatter)

HAMNET: Father?

(grunts softly)

Is all well?

Yes.

Listen, I want you to stay away from your grandfather.

He’ll not hit your sisters, but it’s you that I worry for, and I need to know that you’ll be safe when I’m not here.

You’re going back to London again?

Yes, tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

It’s all right.

Will we go with you this time?

No, not yet.

Hey.

I’ll miss you.

But I have to go, you understand? I…

I know.

I understand.

That’s good.

‘Cause I need you to look after your mother and your sisters.

Will you do that?

Yes.

Will you be brave?

Yes.

(chuckles):

Yes?

Will you be brave?

Yes.

Will you be brave?!

Huh?!

Yes! Yes, I’ll be brave!

I’ll be brave. I’ll be brave.

HUSBAND: I’ve looked at houses for us in London.

AGNES: Autumn is coming.

Mm.

And the children will fall ill.

Judith, she’s still not strong enough.

She often gets congestion in her chest.

And the air in London is…

We can’t.

But one day soon, we will.

We will come to London with you.

No, you won’t.

You’ll never come.

You’ve waited for the heat of summer to pass… the dryness of autumn, the snow and the cold.

You do not believe that Judith will ever survive London.

You’d do anything in your power to keep that child alive.

Isn’t that what a mother is supposed to do?

Of course it is.

So…

…I’ve decided to look for land outside Stratford.

That’s where you should live with the children.

Thank you.

Mmhmm.

Ooh! (inhales sharply) Where is she? Ah!

(giggling) (kissing)

(chuckling)

Hamnet. There he is. (grunts) (sighs) (Agnes chuckles) Come here.

(husband grunts softly, chuckles)

(whispering): I love you.

I love you. I love you.

All right. Love you.

(Agnes and husband chuckle)

Come on.

Love you.

(whispers): Love you.

(Agnes clears throat) Oh.

All right. Come here. (chuckles) Remember what I told you, okay?

Okay.

Good boy.

Bye.

Bye.

Bye.

Bye.

(laughing): Bye.

(laughing): Bye.

(Agnes chuckles)

(panting softly)

Hamnet?

(gasps) Oh.

(crying softly) Come on. Come here.

(sniffles)

(sniffling)

Show me your hand.

What? What do you see?

I see you.

Grown.

(breathes deeply) And very strong.

And I see you in London working with your father.

In the theater?

Yes.

At the playhouse.

What will I be doing?

What do you wish to do, Hamnet?

I should be one of the players with a sword.

A sword?

Yes.

And I shall clash it against the sword of the other player.

Show me.

There’ll be a terrible fight, and everybody watching will be frightened out of their wits.

(laughs) And who will win?

I shall, of course.

Of course you shall.

(insects buzzing)

♪ ♪

(buzzing)

Something has upset them.

What could it be?

(sighs) The weather?

Something in the air, perhaps?

Best tell Joan to keep the children inside today.

♪ ♪

(blows)

♪ ♪

(lively chatter)

(dog yapping)

(clicking tongue)

(dog barking)

(lively chatter)

(person coughing)

(hammer tapping)

(lively chatter and hammering continue)

♪ ♪

(wind whistling)

(soft rhythmic drumming)

(flute playing along gently)

♪ ♪

(monkey puppet chittering)

(child puppet grunting)

(monkey puppet chittering softly)

(water sloshing)

(woman puppet chatters)

(faint howling)

(thunder rumbling softly)

HAMNET (in distance):

Judith?

Judith?

Where are you?

(footsteps ascending stairs)

Wake up!

The baker told me her cat had kittens.

We need to see them.

There’s eight, Judith. Eight!

We need to hurry.

It’s going to rain.

Judith?

Jude?

(thunder rumbling softly) (rain falling) What’s wrong?

What’s wrong, Judith?

Judith, answer me.

Judith, wake up.

Judith, please. Judith.

(footsteps descending stairs quickly)

(thunder rumbling)

(gasps softly)

What is it?

It’s Judith.

(drops basket)

How long has she been like this?

Since I returned from school.

AGNES (whispers): Oh, my God.

(crying): She’s got it.

Hasn’t she? (sniffles) She’s got the pestilence.

Hasn’t she, Mama?

Go find your grandmother.

Bid her to come.

Now!

AGNES: She’s burning up.

We need, um, more water.

Make a bigger fire and heat up more water.

We need warm water.

MARY: Eliza, fetch more water and bring the Bellis from the kitchen.

AGNES: A row of cinnamon.

Cinnamon, that’s good for drawing out the heat.

Pine-weed or a rue. Thyme, yes.

MARY: You’ll find them in the room.

AGNES: Mama. Yeah. The other table. The other side.

AGNES: Yeah, Mama’s here, my love.

Here, drink this.

It’s rosemary and jelly.

All will be well, hmm?

All will be well.

Judith, stay with.

Mama’s here.

It’s okay. Mama’s here.

Rhubarb. We need rhubarb to purge the stomach, drive out the pestilence.

Can you go and fetch some?

Mama’s here. It’s okay.

Judith, we’re all here.

MARY: Susanna, draw some water, too.

AGNES: Hamnet and… and Mary and Susanna.

MARY: Draw water as soon as you can.

AGNES: Why isn’t he here?

MARY: Eliza, go write to your brother and tell him to come.

AGNES:

(sighs) Judith.

(sighs) Open your mouth, Judith.

Open your mouth.

Mama’s here. That’s it.

That’s good.

Yes, you’ll be safe.

You’ll open your mouth.

Drink it down.

Swallow it down. Mama’s here.

It’s okay, Judith.

Mama’s here. It’s okay.

(coughs softly) Okay.

(utensil scraping in bowl)

♪ ♪

(wheezing softly)

Agnes.

Agnes.

You have done all that you can.

I will not let her cross over.

(water sloshing gently)

Grandmama, you had three daughters that were taken.

Were they…

Were they like Judith?

(sighs, sniffles)

Anne was seven.

The other two were just babies.

They all had swellings and… fever like Judith.

Your mother’s trying to… keep a grip on her child.

It won’t work.

(inhales sharply)

What is given may be taken away at any time.

(sniffles)

We must never let our guard down.

Never take for granted… that our children’s hearts beat, that they draw breath, that they walk and speak and… smile, argue, play.

Never forget for a moment that they may be gone.

(whispering):

Jude.

(crying softly)

(fire crackling softly)

♪ ♪

Jude.

(sniffles)

Don’t be sad.

You shall be well.

(crying):

I shall not.

Not without you.

(Hamnet crying softly)

(gasping softly)

It’s here.

Do you see it, Jude?

(sniffles)

It’s watching us.

I’ll tell it to take us both.

We’ll go together. (sniffles) Turn away. (gasps) Turn away.

It’ll make a mistake.

(sniffles)

It can’t tell us apart.

(sniffles)

Breathe with me, Judith.

(breathing deeply)

(deep breathing continues)

I give you my life.

You shall be well.

I give you my life, Judith.

I’ll be brave.

I’ll be brave, Father.

I’ll be brave.

I’ll be brave.

I’ll be brave, Father.

I’ll be brave.

(sniffles)

I’ll be brave.

(horse galloping)

♪ ♪

Whoa.

(shushes)

Quick as you can.

♪ ♪

(gasps)

(panting)

♪ ♪

AGNES: Hamnet.

(Hamnet wheezing) Hamnet, you’re not supposed to be down here.

I need to take you up to bed.

Hamnet.

JUDITH: Hamnet?

♪ ♪

(crying softly)

Mama.

Mama.

Mama.

(sighs)

(whispering indistinctly)

(sniffling)

(whistles)

♪ ♪

(crying softly)

(whimpering, grunting) AGNES: Hamnet.

You must open your mouth.

(Hamnet wheezing)

All will be well.

(whimpering)

(Eliza whispering indistinctly)

(Hamnet groaning)

(Agnes mutters)

He’s burning.

He’s burning up.

(pained moaning) It will not sti-It will not stick!

(objects clattering)

A stone. There’s a stone.

There’s a stone upstairs with a hole in the middle of it.

By his bedside.

Bring it down. I need it.

And, um, uh, salt. Get salt.

Get it. Can you give it?

Can you f-fetch me some salt, as much salt as you have.

Water. We need water.

He’s… he’s too hot.

He’s burning.

My love. Mama’s here.

(pained moaning) All will be well.

All will be well.

All will be well.

All will be well.

Hamnet, don’t be scared.

No need to be scared.

All will be well. Mommy’s here.

Mommy’s here. It’s okay.

Mommy’s here.

Look at me. Mommy’s here.

I will never, ever let you go.

You understand?

I will never, ever let you go.

(whimpering) I love you.

I love you.

(Hamnet crying)

(pained screaming)

MARY: Eliza, take Judith to the kitchen and keep her there.

(crying):

Please!

He needs me!

MARY: Stay there.

He needs me!

Please!

(Hamnet moaning in pain) (Agnes speaking quietly) Valerian…

Hamnet. Hamnet. Hamnet.

Hamnet, you have to stay.

Hamnet, please.

Hamnet, please.

You have to stay with us.

Mama needs you. We need you.

SUSANNA: Stop! Enough!

Stay with us. Stay, stay.

Please, Hamnet.

Hamnet, Hamnet, Hamnet.

SUSANNA: Let him alone!

Hamnet, please!

Can’t you see that it’s too late for him!

Please, please.

Hamnet?

(crying):

Hamnet. Hamnet.

(gasps)

(screaming)

(gasping)

(mumbling)

My son is gone. (stammers)

(mumbles)

My son.

I’ve lost my…

(gasping sharply)

(crying)

(breathing heavily)

(water splashing gently)

MARY: I saw the light, and I couldn’t sleep.

(Agnes sniffling)

MARY (softly):

Here.

MARY: Oh, child, no.

No, no, no. Go to bed.

No, no, letlet her stay.

(sighs, sniffles)

JUDITH: It is my fault, Mama.

It is my fault.

No. No.

(sniffles)

It is not your fault, Judith.

But he changed places with me.

He tricked it.

He tricked what?

Death.

Judith.

It took him when it came for me.

Never say those words to anyone ever again.

The fever came for your brother, and it took him.

Do you wish to see him?

Yes.

Go on. You can see him.

Is it really him?

Yes.

(crying):

Itit doesn’t look like him.

No.

It’s not him.

It’s not.

It’s not him.

(knocking on door)

(Agnes grunts)

It-It’s-it’s not morning yet.

We haven’t prepared him properly.

(footsteps approaching)

HUSBAND: Am I too late?

It’s you.

JUDITH: Father.

It’s you. (crying)

JUDITH: It’s me.

(crying continues)

Where is he?

Where is…

Where…

(panting softly)

(grunts softly)

It’s my boy.

(groans)

It’s my boy.

(wood creaking)

I didn’t see it.

I should’ve paid him more attention.

I always thought she was the one to be taken away when all the while it was him.

I’m a fool.

No, there’s nothing anyone could have done to save him.

You did everything that you could.

Of course I did.

You weren’t here.

I would have cut my heart out and given it to him.

I would have laid my life down on the ground for him.

II know. I know.

And no one would take it.

But you…

No, you don’t know.

You don’t know.

You weren’t here.

He died in agony.

I…

He was in agony.

Agnes.

He cried and he cried and he cried and he cried.

Agnes, stop, stop.

And his little body was wracked in pain. (shushes) No, don’t shush me.

He was so scared.

And you weren’t here.

I know.

(whispering):

I tried everything I could.

(whispering):

I know you did.

I tried… You did everything that you could.

You did everything that you could.

Everything.

Everything.

(whimpers)

(husband shushes)

Agnes. Agnes.

(Agnes whimpers)

(footsteps approaching)

I will send word, Agnes.

You’ll send word?

To whom?

To you.

I’m here.

Mm.

What I meant was that I shall send word when I reach London.

London?

I must leave.

Leave? How can you leave?

The world does simply not stand still, Agnes.

There are people waiting for me in London.

The season is about to begin, and my company shall return from Kent any day now.

(Agnes sighs) I have to go now.

Now?

There’s a traveling party leaving today, and they have a spare horse, so yeah.

Look after the girls, and I will return to–

Stop.

Don’t. (grunts)

(Agnes screams)

(both grunting)

(panting)

(Agnes crying softly)

Go. Go.

(wind blowing softly)

(bird calling)

SUSANNA: “When I do count the clock “that tells the time, “And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;

“When I behold the violet past prime, “And sable curls all silver’d o’er with white;

“When lofty trees I see barren of leaves “Which erst from the heat did canopy the herd, “And summer’s green all girded up in sheaves “Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard;

“Then of thy beauty do I question make, “Thou among the wastes of time must go, “Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake “And die as fast as they see others grow;

“And nothing gainst Time’s scythe can make defense Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.”

JUDITH: Will you read it again?

No.

I’ve read it three times.

That’s enough.

HUSBAND: Shall we do presents?

MARY: Presents from London.

(thunder rumbling) A hair comb for you, Jude.

(quiet chatter)

Mind you, you’ll have to be careful.

(quiet chatter continues)

This is for you, Agnes.

(thunder rumbling softly)

A ruby, is it?

HUSBAND: Mmhmm.

It’s the finest I’ve ever seen.

Everyone’s talking about the new house.

It’s the biggest in Stratford.

There are so many rooms.

One could get lost.

HUSBAND: You shall keep the keys, Susanna.

You shall manage the house well.

Put it on, Mama.

(footsteps departing)

(footsteps approaching)

Did Bartholomew show you the new house?

AGNES: Mmhmm.

Do you like it?

Why didn’t you show me yourself?

Were you afraid I wouldn’t leave?

‘Cause Hamnet died here in this house.

You know, I’m constantly wondering where he is.

Or where he has gone.

Whatever I’m doing, I’m wondering, “Where is he?”

I mean, he can’t have just vanished.

All he needs is for me to find him.

He must be somewhere.

I fear I may run mad with it, even now, a year on.

A year is nothing.

A year is nothing.

It’s every second… every minute, every day.

We may never stop looking for him.

I’m sorry, Agnes.

Did you hear me?

I said that I’m sorry, Agnes.

For what?

For everything.

You’re caught by that place.

For…

What place?

That place in your head.

It is now more real to you than anywhere else.

Not even the death of our child can keep you from it.

Hamnet died.

A horrible death.

And you should have been there.

You could have bid him farewell.

(thunder rumbling softly)

(sobs softly)

What do you see?

Hmm?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Nothing at all.

(softly):

Oh, well.

You should go back to London.

You need not concern yourself with us.

Get along just fine without you.

♪ ♪

ACTOR 1: This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof.

I did love you once.

ACTOR 2: Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.

ACTOR 1: You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock for…

You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it.

I loved you not.

ACTOR 2: I was the more deceived.

ACTOR 1: Get thee to a nunnery.

Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?

I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better to…

(sighs)

Again.

(clicks tongue) Get thee to a nunnery.

Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?

I am myself indifferent honest, but…

Again. “I am myself indifferent honest.” Again.

I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me.

Again.

I, myself…

(stammers) Again.

I, myself, am indifferent…

“I am myself.”

I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were…

Again.

But yet I could accuse me of such things that it were…

Again!

I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such…

You are simply mouthing the words!

I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me.

I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offenses at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape or time to act them in.

Now, what should such fellows as I do crawling between heaven and earth?

We are arrant knaves all.

Believe none of us.

Go thy ways to a nunnery. Again.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(panting softly)

To be…

(breathing shakily)

…or not to be… that is the question:

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to… suffer The slings and arrows of…

(scoffs)

…outrageous fortune…

…Or… to take arms against a… sea of troubles, And by opposing… end them.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(birds chirping)

♪ ♪

JUDITH:

♪ I pray that those trees ♪

♪ Will return my boy ♪

♪ For ♪

♪ Sweet bonny Robin ♪

♪ Is all my joy. ♪

(birds chirping)

(bees buzzing)

JOAN: Agnes?

I… I was in town, and I…

I thought I would pay you a visit.

I was very sorry to hear about John’s passing.

How’s your husband?

It’s a… it’s a terrible thing to lose one’s father.

AGNES: He’s well.

He’s very busy.

He’s preparing a comedy.

(chuckles)

His new play is not a comedy.

It’s a tragedy.

But you knew that.

Everyone in town is talking about it.

I did warn you about marrying him.

Don’t pretend that you care for me.

You are not my mother, and you never were.

Good day, Agnes.

(bee buzzes)

He’s not spoken to us for months.

How could he…

How could he not tell us?

Do you not wonder what is in it?

In what?

SUSANNA: The play.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(lively chatter)

(woman laughing in distance)

Who are you looking for?

William Shakespeare.

We’re his family from Stratford.

Go up the stairs.

He lives in the attic.

Why would the man with the largest house in Stratford be living here?

(sighs) I don’t understand.

I thought…

I thought he…

What shall I do?

Keep your heart open.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(crowd chattering)

(horn trumpeting)

(cheering and applause)

(people shushing)

(crowd quiets)

(thump offstage)

BERNARDO: Who’s there?

FRANCISCO: Nay, answer me:

stand and unfold yourself!

BERNARDO: Long live the king!

FRANCISCO: Bernardo?

BERNARDO: If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals to my watch, bid them make haste.

I think I hear them. Stand, ho!

Who’s there?

(chuckles) Has this thing appeared again tonight?

I have seen nothing.

MARCELLUS: Horatio says…

(hushed):

What are they talking about?

(play dialogue continues)

What has any of this to do with my son? (people shushing) (hushed):

These men are frightened.

Of what?

They watch for a ghost.

Ghost?

…The bell then beating one…

Peace, break thee off!

(crowd gasping) Look where it comes again!

In the same figure, like the king that’s dead.

See, it stalks away!

That was him.

(person shushes) (play dialogue continues) That was Will.

(people shushing) He’s not in the play.

No, no.

It was Will as a ghost.

Our last king, Whose image but now appeared to us, Was dared to the combat;

our valiant Hamlet…

(mouths): Hamlet.

(play dialogue continues) Did you hear… did you hear that?

(person shushing)

BARTHOLOMEW: Yes.

They said his-they said his name.

Agnes.

(breathing shakily) Agnes, wait.

Out of my way!

MAN: Please be quiet.

Wait, did they say his name? Huh?

Do not upset yourself.

(people shushing) Why is-Why did he use his name?

I don’t know him.

(people shushing)

MAN: Quiet.

…and by my advice, Let us impart what we have seen tonight Unto the young prince…

Don’t you dare pronounce my son’s name!

(crowd shushing, murmuring)

MAN: Quiet!

HORATIO: …dumb to us, will speak to him.

(panting) (soft rhythmic drumming)

(flute playing along gently)

CLAUDIUS: Though yet of our dear brother’s death, The memory be green, Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature That we with wisest sorrow think on him, Together with remembrance of ourselves.

I will not stay a minute longer to be a part of this jest.

Wait. One moment.

No.

I want to go home.

CLAUDIUS: …my cousin Hamlet, and my son…

How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

GERTRUDE: Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off.

Do not for ever with thy vailed lids Seek for thy noble father in the dust.

All that lives must die, Passing through nature to eternity.

Ay, madam, it is common.

But I have that within which passes show.

These are but the trappings and the suits of woe.

CLAUDIUS: To persevere In obstinate condolement is a course of impious stubbornness.

‘Tis unmanly grief.

It shows a will most incorrect to heaven.

(softly):

Oh.

This too, too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew.

Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon gainst self-slaughter.

‘Tis an un-weeded garden That grows to seed;

things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely.

That it should come to this.

But two months dead-nay, not so much, not two–

So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a… a satyr.

(crowd murmuring)

Whither wilt thou lead me?

Speak. I’ll go no further.

I am thy father’s spirit, Doomed for a certain term to walk the night, And for the day confined to fast in fires.

My hour is almost come When I to sulfurous and tormenting flames Must render up myself.

Alas, poor ghost.

No, pity me not… but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold.

List.

List, oh, list.

If thou didst ever thy father love…

HAMLET: Oh, God.

WILL: But soft, methinks I scent the morning air.

Brief let me be.

Sleeping within my orchard.

Upon my secure hour, thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebona in a vile, Within the porches of my ears did pour The leprous distillment… whose effect Holds such an enmity with blood of man That swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and alleys of the body.

And with a sudden vigor it doth posset And curd, like…

(sighs)

…eager droppings into milk, The thin and wholesome blood.

So did it mine.

♪ ♪

A most instant tetter barked about…

…Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust, All my smooth body.

Oh, horrible.

Oh, horrible. Most horrible.

If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not…

He has swapped places with our son.

(breathing shakily)

(whispering):

Look at me.

(sighs)

Look at me.

(breathing shakily)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(grunts)

The… the glowworm shows the matin to be near, And ‘gins to pale his uneffectual fires.

(clicks tongue)

(mutters softly)

♪ ♪

(whimpers)

(crying):

My boy.

Adieu.

(sniffles)

(sighs)

Adieu.

(chuckles softly)

Adieu.

(Will crying softly)

(whispers):

Remember me.

(crying softly)

(shushes)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(breathing shakily)

(sobbing)

HAMLET: To be, or not to be, that is the question.

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And, by opposing, end them.

To die, to sleep, No more.

And by a sleep, to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to’tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished.

To die, To sleep, perchance to dream.

(sobbing) Ay, there’s the rub.

For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil Must give us pause.

There’s the respect That makes calamity of so long life.

Who would bear the whips and scorns of time, The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, (sobbing) The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay, The insolence of office, and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy take, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin?

Who would fardels bear, To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscovered country from whose bourn No traveler returns, puzzles the will, (fading): And makes us rather bear those ills…

♪ ♪

(crowd gasping, murmuring)

(crowd exclaims)

LAERTES: En garde!

♪ ♪

(grunts)

(grunts) (crowd gasps)

(crowd murmuring)

(grunts) One!

(cheering and applause) No! No!

OSRIC: A hit, a palpable hit!

CLAUDIUS: Our son shall win!

LAERTES: Well, again!

CLAUDIUS: Gertrude, do not drink.

♪ ♪

(grunting) (crowd gasping, murmuring)

(crowd exclaims)

Another hit! What say you?

(cheering and applause)

(cheering swells)

LAERTES: Have at you now!

(crowd groaning)

(crowd booing and hissing)

(grunting fiercely)

(grunts) (crowd exclaims)

(cheering and applause)

(Laertes grunts)

How does the queen?

She swoons to see them bleed.

No, no, the drink, the drink!

Oh, my dear Hamlet.

I am poisoned.

(crowd groans)

HAMLET: Oh, villainy!

Ho, let the door be locked!

Treachery! Seek it out!

LAERTES: It is here, Hamlet.

(grunts)

Hamlet, thou art slain.

No medicine in the world can do thee good.

In thee, there is not half an hour’s life.

The king’s to blame!

(crowd gasps)

(Laertes chokes)

The point envenomed, too?

Then, venom, to thy work!

(Claudius screaming) (crowd exclaiming)

(grunts fiercely)

(Claudius screaming)

Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane!

(pained grunting)

Drink…

(screaming) Drink off this potion!

(Claudius choking, coughing)

Is thy union here?

Follow my mother.

(panting)

I am dead.

(crowd murmurs quietly)

Thou livest.

Report me and my cause aright To the unsatisfied.

If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, Absent thee from felicity awhile, And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain To tell my story.

(grunts)

(choking) (crowd gasps)

(gasping)

(screams):

I die!

(pained grunting)

(panting sharply)

(whimpers)

The potent poison quite o’ercrows my spirit.

(pained gasping)

(breathing shakily)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(gasps softly)

♪ ♪

(softly):

The rest is silence.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(laughing softly)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(“My Robin to the Greenwood Gone” playing)

(birds chirping)

(leaves rustling softly)

♪ My Robin

to the greenwood will go ♪

♪ Where the oak and the ash ♪

♪ And the briars do grow ♪

♪ How fares my love ♪

♪ As the darkness falls ♪

♪ There within ♪

♪ Those tangled walls? ♪

♪ How fares my love ♪

♪ As the darkness falls ♪

♪ There within ♪

♪ Those tangled walls? ♪

(birds chirping)

♪ The greenwood is near ♪

♪ And the greenwood is far ♪

♪ And many a danger ♪

♪ Befalls a man there ♪

♪ I pray that those trees ♪

♪ Will return my boy ♪

♪ For sweet bonny Robin ♪

♪ Is all my joy ♪

♪ I pray that those trees ♪

♪ Will return my boy ♪

♪ For sweet bonny Robin ♪

♪ Is all my joy. ♪

(song ends)

(birds chirping)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

(music fades)

(hawk calling in distance)