Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Der bestrafte Brudermord (Fratricide Punished)
  • Author: Anonymous
  • Editor: David Bevington
  • General textual editors: James D. Mardock, Eric Rasmussen
  • Associate textual editor: Donald Bailey
  • Coordinating editor: Michael Best
  • Associate coordinating editor: Janelle Jenstad

  • Copyright David Bevington. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Anonymous
    Editor: David Bevington
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Der bestrafte Brudermord (Fratricide Punished)

    [Enter] Horatio and Soldiers.
    552 Sentinel
    Who's there?
    Horatio
    The watch.
    2 Sentinel
    Which?
    Horatio
    The first.
    2 Sentinel
    Stand, watch. Corporal, step forward! Present arms!
    60Francisco and the watch step forward and give the password from the other side.
    Horatio
    Sentinel, look well to your post. Maybe the Prince himself will go the rounds. See to it that be not found asleep on watch; otherwise it might cost you the best head on your shoulders.
    2 Sentinel
    Oh! Even if the whole company were here, not a man amongst them would sleep at his post. I must be relieved, or I'll run for it at the risk of hanging tomorrow on the highest gallows.
    Horatio
    And why is that?
    2 Sentinel
    Oh, honored sir, a ghost appears here in this place every quarter of an hour, which unsettles me so much that I might fancy I was set down still alive in Purgatory.
    65Fransisco
    The first sentinel, who was relieved in the last hour, has just told me the same story.
    2 Sentinel
    Ay, wait but a little while; it will not stay long away.
    The Ghost stalks across the stage.
    Horatio
    Upon my life, it is a ghost, and it looks extremely like the late King of Denmark!
    Fransisco
    He bears himself sadly, and seems to want to say something.
    70Horatio
    There is some mystery beneath this.