SceneFiend library
Hamlet
By William Shakespeare - Stage play
J. Gurney & Son, N.Y.Public domainWikimedia Commons
Roles
- Horatio - Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50), Male
About this piece
Horatio predicts misfortune for Denmark
Summary
The play is set in Denmark at the Elsinore Castle. In the first scene of the play we are outside the castle on a winter night. Two watchmen, Bernardo and Marcellus have called Horatio, Prince Hamlet's friend, to join them during the night watch to witness the apparition of a ghost that they believe is the ghost of the dead King Hamlet. Horatio doesn't believe them at first but then he witnesses a fast apparition of the ghost. Horatio argues that this apparition has a meaning, that is some misfortune is about to happen in Denmark. In this monologue Horatio explains what he thinks is about to happen in Denmark, that is the army of Norway, led by Prince Fortinbras, will soon attack them. King Hamlet, he explains, had killed Fortinbras of Norway, defeated his army and won his lands. Now he thinks his son will seek revenge and attack them, which is why they are working as watchmen in the first place.
Tone
Use cases
Library metadata only. SceneFiend never includes script text here - pick up the published version to rehearse.
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