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    Not Peer Reviewed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] Hamlet.
    2 Sentinel
    Who's there?
    Hamlet
    Quiet!
    752 Sentinel
    Who's there?
    Hamlet
    Quiet!
    2 Sentinel
    Answer, or I'll teach you better manners.
    Hamlet
    A friend!
    2 Sentinel
    What friend?
    80Hamlet
    Friend to the kingdom.
    Fransisco
    By my life, it is the Prince!
    Horatio
    Your Highness, is it you or not?
    Hamlet
    Ha! Horatio, is it you? What are you doing here?
    Horatio
    Your Highness, I have gone the rounds, to see that all sentinels are at their posts.
    85Hamlet
    You act like an honest soldier, for on you rests the safety of the King and kingdom.
    Horatio
    My lord, a strange thing has happened: a ghost appears here every quarter of an hour. To my mind, he is very like your father the late king. He does much harm to the sentinels on the rounds.
    Hamlet
    I hope not, for the souls of the faithful rest quietly till the day of their resurrection.
    Horatio
    But it is so, Your Highness; I have seen him myself.
    Fransisco
    He frightened me most horribly, Your Highness.
    902 Sentinel
    And me he dealt a good box on the ears.
    Hamlet
    What time is it now?
    Fransisco
    It is just midnight.
    Hamlet
    'Tis well, for it is at this time that the spirits usually show themselves when they walk.
    Again healths are drunk to sound of trumpets.
    95Hamlet
    Hello! What does this mean?
    Horatio
    Methinks they are still very merry at court with their toasts.
    Hamlet
    True, Horatio! My father and uncle makes merry indeed still with his friends and followers. Horatio, I know not why since my father's death I have such continual sadness of heart, whereas my royal mother has so soon forgotten him. But this king still sooner; for whilst I was in Germany, he had himself crowned in all haste King of Denmark, and with show of right made over to me the crown of Norway, and appealed to the election of the states.