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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Leonhardus.
    Leonhardus
    My gracious Lord and King, I demand my father or just vengeance for his grievous murder. If this is not granted, I shall forget that you are king, and avenge myself on the criminal.
    Be satisfied, Leonhardus, that we are guiltless of your father's death. Prince Hamlet unwittingly ran him through behind the arras: but we shall see that he is punished for it.
    Leonhardus
    Since Your Majesty is innocent of my father's death, I humbly crave your pardon on my knees. My anger, together with my filial affection, so overcame me that I hardly knew what I was doing.
    It is forgiven thee, for we can easily believe that it must have gone deep into thy heart to lose thy noble father so piteously. But rest content; thou shalt find another father in ourselves.
    Leonhardus
    I thank you for this most kingly favor.