Hamlet Adaptation (Act 1, Scene 2)

One of my goals is to adapt a half dozen or more of Shakespeare's plays, so that people who've not had the advantage of a fully funded education, or people who are intimidated/confused by the antiquated language, can find a way into the story and drama.

Hamlet Adaptation (Act 1, Scene 1): http://www.dailykos.com/...

ACT 1, SCENE 2

                                  (Enter CLAUDIUS, GERTRUDE and council,
                                  including VOLTEMAND, CORNELIUS,
                                  POLONIUS, LAERTES, and HAMLET.)

                                  CLAUDIUS
           Even though the death of King Hamlet is still present in our
           minds, we must carry on.  We must remember our
           responsibilities as royals, and our duty to the kingdom.  The
           Queen and I have taken the lot life has presented and played
           it in an attempt to benefit us all.  To benefit and fortify
           us in this time of war.  It's bittersweet to be sure, but we
           are to live it and move forward.  Young Fortinbras presumes
           we're preoccupied and disjointed, and he's gathering
           mercenaries, planning to attempt to retake what his father
           lost--what King Hamlet rightfully won.  (Taking out a
           document)  We've written to the bedridden King of Norway
           asking him to block his nephew from proceeding any further.
           Cornelius, Voltemand, take this notice, and take it quickly.  

                                  CORNELIUS & VOLTEMAND
           Yes my lord.

                                  CLAUDIUS
           A hearty farewell to you.

                                  (Cornelius and Voltemand bow and exit.)

                                  CLAUDIUS
                         (to Laertes)
           And now Laertes, what is your request?  The head couldn't be
           more closely related to the heart, nor the hand more
           instrumental to the mouth, as your father is to the throne.
           There's nothing reasonable you could request that will not be
           granted.  What is your wish?

                                  LAERTES
           My lord, I would like permission to return to where I came
           from.  I willingly came to Denmark to show my duty to your
           coronation, and with that done, my thoughts and desires bend
           back to France.

                                  CLAUDIUS
           And you have your father's blessings?  Polonius, what do you
           say?

                                  POLONIUS
           He's pleaded with me, and of course I'd rather have him near,
           but please, grant him leave to go.

                                  CLAUDIUS
           Very well.  Enjoy yourself Laertes, off to France with you.

                                  (Laertes bows and exits.)

                                  CLAUDIUS (CONT'D)
           And now, Hamlet, my cousin, my son--

                                  HAMLET
                         (as an aside)
           A little more than kin, and less than kind.

                                  CLAUDIUS
           How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

                                  HAMLET
           Not so my lord, I'm too much in the sun.

                                  GERTRUDE
           Hamlet, stop, please?  Cast off this melancholy and look at
           Claudius with a little kindness.  What has happened is
           natural.  Everything that lives must one day die.  Everything
           passes through nature into eternity.

                                  HAMLET
           Yes, madam, it is true.

                                  GERTRUDE
           If it is, then why does it seem so particular with you?

                                  HAMLET
           Seem?  No, it is.  Anyone can put on a costume of mourning-
           the dark clothes, the miserable, dejected look, the tearful
           eye and heavy sighs--all trappings anyone can play.  My
           grief, good mother, is real, and it is deep.

                                  CLAUDIUS
           Your sweet nature is to be praised Hamlet, the way you honor
           your father so sincerely.  But remember, your father lost a
           father; and that father lost a father too; and each survivor
           carried the burden for a term.  But to persevere in grieving,
           to be obstinate and stubborn about it is unmanly.  Why lament
           the inevitable?  It's a disrespect to heaven, the dead, and
           the natural order of things.  It must be so.  Bury your
           grief, let it go.  The world knows you are next in line to
           the throne, and if you'll allow it, I should like to look
           upon you as a son.  Don't go back to Wittenberg, stay with
           your mother and I as the highest member of the court.  

                                  GERTRUDE
           I pray that you'll stay, Hamlet.  I pray you won't leave.
           Stay with us, please.

                                  HAMLET
           Very well, I'll stay.

                                  CLAUDIUS
           Excellent then!  We'll live royally together in Denmark!  (To
           Gertrude)  Madam, come!  Hamlet's consent cheers me up!
           Let's eat and drink and fire the cannons into the clouds!
           Come!  Come!

                                  (They exit, Hamlet remains alone.)

                                  HAMLET
           Ah!  I wish my flesh would melt, turn into dew, and
           evaporate!  Oh that suicide were not a crime!  How stale and
           flat and without purpose the world seems.  A garden gone to
           seed!  Weeds rank and gross posses it!  That it should come
           to this!  It hasn't even been two months since a king--a god
           compared to this other poseur--has passed away.  He was so
           loving with the Queen, and yet in less than--I must not think
           of it!  I don't understand it!  A dog would have
           mourned longer!  And she marries the brother?!  It's not
           right!  Nothing good can come of it, but I'll hold my tongue
           while my heart breaks.

                                  (Enter Horatio, Barbardo, and
                                  Marcellus.)

                                  HORATIO
           Hail to your lordship.

                                  HAMLET
           Horatio?

                                  HORATIO
           Yes, my lord.  Your humble servant.

                                  HAMLET
                         (embracing Horatio)
           It's good to see you!  What are you doing away from
           Wittenberg?  (Noticing Marcellus)  Marcellus!

                                  MARCELLUS
           My good lord.

                                  HAMLET
           I'm so glad to see you.  (To Barnardo) Good evening, sir.
           (To Horatio)  But what brings you here?!

                                  HORATIO
           A tendency to truancy?

                                  HAMLET
           A truant, eh?!  Well, whatever your business here at
           Elsinore, we'll teach you to drink deep before you depart!

                                  HORATIO
           I came to see your father's funeral.

                                  HAMLET
           Either that or my mother's wedding.

                                  HORATIO
                         (embarrassed)
           Indeed my lord, it followed quickly.

                                  HAMLET
           The pies left over from the funeral service were barely cold
           before they were placed on the wedding tables.  I would have
           rather met my worst foe in heaven than seen that day.
           Sometimes I think I see my father--

                                  HORATIO
           Where my lord?

                                  HAMLET
           Where?  In my mind's eye.

                                  HORATIO
           He was a fine king.

                                  HAMLET
           We'll never see his likes again.

                                  HORATIO
           My lord, I think I saw him last night.

                                  HAMLET
           What?

                                  HORATIO
           The king, your father.

                                  HAMLET
           My father?

                                  HORATIO
           Let me explain this to you.

                                  HAMLET
           Yes--yes--explain away.

                                  HORATIO
           While on their watch, Marcellus and Barnardo had seen a
           figure, dressed head to toe, and armed just like your father.
           They informed me, I joined them last night, and there at the
           same time, in the same manner, appeared an apparition.  It
           was your father.

                                  HAMLET
           Where?

                                  MARCELLUS
           Upon the ramparts, my lord.

                                  HAMLET
           Did you speak to it?

                                  HORATIO
           I did, but it did not answer.  It lifted its head as if it
           were abut to speak, but just then the cock crowed, and it
           vanished from our sight.

                                  HAMLET
           Is this true?!

                                  HORATIO
           As I do live, it's true.  We came to let you know.

                                  HAMLET
           And armed, you say?

                                  ALL
           Yes, armed, my lord.

                                  HAMLET
           From head to toe?

                                  ALL
           Yes, my lord.

                                  HAMLET
           So you didn't see the face?

                                  HORATIO
           The visor was up my lord, I saw his face.

                                  HAMLET
           How did he look?

                                  HORATIO
           He showed more sorrow than anger.

                                  HAMLET
           And he fixed his eyes on you?

                                  HORATIO
           Yes, my lord.

                                  HAMLET
           How long was it visible?

                                  HORATIO
           A few minutes, at least.

                                  (Hamlet thinks.)

                                  HAMLET
           I'll be there tonight, hopefully it will appear again.  And
           if I recognize it as my noble father, I'll speak to it--even
           if the maw of hell itself opens and blasts me.

                                  ALL
           Yes, my lord.

                                  HAMLET
           Let's keep this knowledge between us.

                                  ALL
           Our duty to your honor.

                                  HAMLET
           Very well, I shall see you tonight.

                                  (Horatio, Marcellus, Barnardo, bow and
                                  exit.)

                                  HAMLET (CONT'D)
           My father's spirit--in arms!  All is not well!  All is not
           well!  No matter how deeply buried, foul deeds will rise
           before the eyes of the living, to witness what besets them.