Hamlet and Richard III
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About this ebook
Richard speaks his thoughts:
"But I—born crude, with hum-ped back and wretched, misformed shape, whose visage makes dogs snarl and bark, and grown men stand and gape—am not well built for sporting tricks, 'tis plain for all to see, a lover I will never prove, so villain I will be."
With this simple verse, the essence of Richard and what drives him to his evil excesses is captured, and this format of Shakespearean style verse continues throughout the book to cover the entire play, including notable real life events, such as the War of the Roses, the Princes in the Tower and the ultimate end of Richard at the Battle of Bosworth.
Roy Lancaster
Roy Lancaster was born in London and qualified as an architect, designing many projects throughout the Middle East where he opened an office and spent most of his architectural working life. After retirement he took up writing, mainly children's material. He now lives in Cheltenham with his wife.
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Hamlet and Richard III - Roy Lancaster
About the Author
Roy Lancaster was born in London and qualified as an architect, designing many projects throughout the Middle East, where he opened an office and spent most of his architectural working life. After retirement, he took up writing, mainly children’s material. He now lives in Cheltenham with his wife.
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Dedication
For all children
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HAMLET AND
RICHARD III
AN INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE
IN VERSE
Suggested for ages 12 and up
Adapted by Roy Lancaster
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Published by Austin Macauley at Smashwords
Copyright 2018 Roy Lancaster
The right of Roy Lancaster to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with the written permission of the publisher, or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
HAMLET AND
RICHARD III
available from the British Library.
www.austinmacauley.com
HAMLET AND
RICHARD III
ISBN 9781788237697 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781788237703 (Hardback)
ISBN 9781788237710 (E-Book)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.
²⁰¹⁸
First Published in 2018
Austin.Macauley Publishers Ltd,
AustinMacauley
CGC-33-01, 25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf, London E14 5LQ
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HAMLET
This version of the play is based on the one published in 1603, is used today and is universally regarded as Shakespeare’s most popular work. It is approximately half the length of the pre-1603 version.
It tells the story of Hamlet, a young Danish prince, who mourns the recent death of his father, the former king, who has been replaced on the throne by his brother, Hamlet’s uncle. Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father who tells him he was murdered by his brother, so that he could claim the throne. The ghost demands that Hamlet avenge his murder. Much of the play is then taken up with the prince trying to find proof of his uncle’s guilt and to do this, he pretends to go mad (Shakespeare cleverly writes it so that the reader could think he really might be mad!) causing the king to get suspicious and to try and get rid of Hamlet. The prince learns of this and turns the plot against his uncle leading to intense family fights, deaths and the final tragic scene.
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Principal Characters in the Play
KING CLAUDIUS: King of Denmark
QUEEN GERTRUDE: His wife
PRINCE HAMLET: Son of Gertrude, nephew of Claudius
HORATIO: Friend of Prince Hamlet
POLONIUS: Counsel (adviser) to the king and queen
LAERTES: Son of Polonius
GHOST: Ghost of Hamlet’s father
OPHELIA: Daughter of Polonius
NCRANTZ .
ROSENCRANTZ and: Former friends of
GUILDENSTERN: Prince Hamlet
OSRIC: Member of the king’s court
FORTENBRAS: A prince of a neighbouring country
GRAVEDIGGER: Unnamed
Various lords and ladies,: officials and soldiers.
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ACT 1
ACT 1 Scene 1
Elsinore Castle in Denmark where three soldiers, Horatio, Barnardo and Marcellus, are keeping watch at night.
In the land of Denmark, years ago, stood the Castle Elsinore,
A brooding place where all within prepared themselves for war.
They feared their neighbour, Fortinbras, would march to steal their land,
In readiness, their swords were keen; their ramparts ever manned.
Atop the walls whilst keeping watch, three soldiers stood and talked,
They spoke about a ghost that had for three nights by them walked.
They questioned had their eyes been true or fogged by mist and rain,
Then as a distant church bell struck, the ghost appeared again.
Look yonder there!
Marcellus cried, "Oh, vile and dreadful thing,
I swear it has a likeness to our late lamented king."
Horatio stared hard and long, and said, "I do agree,
It wears King Hamlet’s armoured breast, his bearing too I see."
"I know not what this portent means or why it roams so late,
My judgement is it warns of harm upon our Danish state.
I’ll speak that it may speak to me and of its purpose tell,
Illusion! Stay and use thy voice, explain thy visit well."
To all it seemed the vision paused in readiness to speak,
But then a cock announced the dawn, that night was past its peak.
The vision faded, then was gone; all three were left in awe,
But when recovered, went to tell Prince Hamlet what they saw.
They exit to find Prince Hamlet.
End of scene 1
***
ACT 1
Scene 2
An audience chamber in the castle where King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes and others are holding court.
Within the chamber, Claudius with Gertrude by his side,
Said, "On my brother Hamlet’s death, his queen became my bride.
So as you grieve for our late king, praise too our wedded state,
For now, as one and with your love, we rule and guide your fate."
Turning then to business, he said, "Emissaries go,
Present this note to Norway’s King, the uncle of our foe. Within I ask that he suppress the urges of his kin,
And thereby, void the need for war; its bloody gore and din."
Cornelius and Voltemand take the note and exit.
And now, Laertes, speak thy will; what ask you of your king?
"Your coronation done, my Liege, I ask you grant one thing,
Allow that I return to France, my father now consents."
If that be so,
the king replied, God speed and get thee hence.
***
Laertes departs, and the king turns to Hamlet.
And you, Prince Hamlet, now my son, what clouds hang ’oer your head?
It seems he mourns his father’s death too much,
Queen Gertrude said.
Seems?
said Hamlet. "Nay, not seems, but do. I’d have you know,
These solemn clothes that cloak my form just mask the hurt below."
’Tis right and sweet that you should mourn,
the king to Hamlet said,
"But time has come for you to shed your feelings for the dead.
I’m now your king, your father too, and so the world should heed,
That you are next to have my throne, as if from seed to seed.
So, as my heir, remain with us; do not return to school,
Be our counsel and be our son, to leave would be most cruel."
Hear my prayer,
Queen Gertrude said, that here with us you’ll stay.
I hear your prayer,
her son replied. And Madam, I’ll obey.
The king and queen, satisfied with Hamlet’s answer, exit the chamber leaving Hamlet alone brooding over what he considers his mother’s too soon marriage to his uncle.
What wicked speed,
Prince Hamlet said. "So soon a widow wed,
My father’s body one month cool; she joins my uncle’s bed.
This hasty act can bring no good; it smells of things to come,
Oh break my heart, for I still grieve and yet must hold my tongue."
***
Enter Horatio, Marcellus and Barnardo. They are greeted by their school friend, Hamlet.
Good morrow friends, why not at school? What keeps you by my side?
A wedding and a funeral,
Horatio replied.
Your father’s death was sorely pushed by marriage of your mother.
’Twas done in thrift,
the prince replied, that one feast serve the other.
"Horatio, my dearest friend, this is the vilest day,
My mind’s eye has my father come and there before me stay.
He was