SHAKESPEARIENCE!

“Will Power 2015”

PROLOGUE: TBA

“Merchant of Venice” ACT I, Scene 3: Shylock, Bassanio, Antonio

SHYLOCK

Three thousand ducats; well.

BASSANIO

Ay, sir, for three months.

SHYLOCK

For three months; well.

BASSANIO

For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.

SHYLOCK

Antonio shall become bound; well.

BASSANIO

Shall I know your answer?

SHYLOCK

Three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound.

BASSANIO

Your answer to that.

SHYLOCK

Antonio is a good man.

BASSANIO

Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?

1

SHYLOCK

Oh, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is agood man is to have you understand me that he issufficient.

But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-ratsand water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves, Imean pirates…. The man is, notwithstanding,sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I maytake his bond.

I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?

BASSANIO

If it please you to dine with us.

SHYLOCK

I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you,walk with you, and so following, but I will not eatwith you, drink with you, nor pray with you. Whatnews on the Rialto? Who is he comes here?

BASSANIO This is Signior Antonio.

SHYLOCK

[Aside] How like a fawning publican he looks!

ANTONIO

Shylock, to supply the ripe wants of my friend,I'll break a custom. Is he yet possess'd how much ye would?

SHYLOCK

Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.

ANTONIO

And for three months.Mark you this, Bassanio,The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

SHYLOCK

Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum.

2

ANTONIO

Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?

SHYLOCK

Signior Antonio, many a time and oftIn the Rialto you have rated meAbout my moneys and my usances:Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,And all for use of that which is mine own.Well then, it now appears you need my help….and for these courtesiesI'll lend you thus much moneys'?

ANTONIO I am as like to call thee so again,But lend it rather to thine enemy,Who, if he break, thou mayst with better faceExact the penalty.

SHYLOCK

Why, look you, how you storm!I would be friends with you and have your love,This is kind I offer.

BASSANIO This were kindness?!?!

SHYLOCK

This kindness will I show.Go with me to a notary, seal me thereYour single bond;, let the forfeitBe nominated for an equal poundOf your fair flesh, to be cut off and takenIn what part of your body pleaseth me.

ANTONIO

Content, i' faith: I'll seal to such a bondAnd say there is much kindness in the Jew.

BASSANIO

(pulling Antonio aside)

3

You shall not seal to such a bond for me:I'll rather dwell in my necessity.

ANTONIO Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it:Within these two months, that's a month beforeThis bond expires, I do expect returnOf thrice three times the value of this bond.(turning back to Shylock)Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.

SHYLOCK

Then meet me forthwith at the notary's…

ANTONIO

Hie thee, gentle Jew.(Exit Shylock)The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.

BASSANIO

I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.

ANTONIO Come on: in this there can be no dismay;My ships come home a month before the day.

[Exit together]

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*TRANSITION #1: Merchant of Venice (Antonio)

“You look not well, Signior Antonio;     You have too much respect upon the world: They lose it that do buy it with much care: Believe me, you are marvellously changed.”

“In sooth, I know not why I am so sad:  It wearies me; you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn;  I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; A stage where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one.”

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* TRANSITION #2: Romeo & Juliet (Prologue)

Two households, both alike in dignity,In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foesA pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;Whose misadventured piteous overthrowsDo with their death bury their parents' strife.

The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,And the continuance of their parents' rage,

Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;

The which if you with patient ears attend,What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

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PART 1: Romeo & Juliet

* Act One, Scene 4: Romeo, Mercutio

ROMEO

Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling;Being but heavy, I will bear the light.

MERCUTIO

Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.

ROMEO

Not I, I have a soul of leadSo stakes me to the ground I cannot move.

MERCUTIO

You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings, and soar!

ROMEO

Under love's heavy burden do I sink.

MERCUTIO

And, to sink in it?Too great oppression for a tender thing.

ROMEO

Is love a tender thing? it is too rough,Too rude, and it pricks like thorn.

MERCUTIO

If love be rough with you, be rough with love!

ROMEO The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done. I dream'd a dream to-night.

MERCUTIO

And so did I.

ROMEO

Well, what was yours?

MERCUTIO

That dreamers often lie.

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ROMEO

In bed asleep, while they do dream things true.

MERCUTIO

O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you.She is the fairies' midwife.Her wagon-spokes made of long spiders' legs,The collars of the moonshine's watery beams,And in this state she gallops night by nightThrough lovers' brains, and then they dream of love;This is she--

ROMEO

Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace!Thou talk'st of nothing.

MERCUTIO

True, I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain,But the mask!Supper is done, and we shall come too late.

ROMEO

I fear, too early: for my mind misgivesSome consequence yet hanging in the starsShall bitterly begin his fearful dateWith this night's revels…But, on, lusty gentleman.

MERCUTIO

Strike, drum!

(exit together)

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*TRANSITION #3: Romeo & Juliet (Juliet)

Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds,

Towards Phoebus' lodging: such a wagoner

As Phaethon would whip you to the west,

And bring in cloudy night immediately.

Come, civil night,

Thou sober-suited matron, all in black,

And learn me how to lose a winning match,

Play'd for a pair of stainless maidenhoods…

Come, night; come, Romeo; come, thou day in night;

For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night

Whiter than new snow on a raven's back.

Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow'd night,

Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die,

Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night

And pay no worship to the garish sun.

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*Act Two, Scene 5: Juliet and the Nurse

JULIET

The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;In half an hour she promised to return.O God, she comes!

(Enter Nurse) O honey nurse, what news?Hast thou met with him? O Lord, why look'st thou sad?

Nurse I am a-weary, give me leave awhile:Fie, how my bones ache!

JULIET I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news:Nay, come, I pray thee, speak; good, good nurse, speak.

Nurse Jesu, what haste? Do you not see that I am out of breath?

JULIET How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breathTo say to me that thou art out of breath?Let me be satisfied, is't good or bad?

Nurse Well, you have made a simple choice; you know nothow to choose a man,but, I'll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb….What, have you dined at home?

JULIET No, no: What says he of our marriage? what of that?

Nurse Lord, how my head aches!,--O, my back, my back!

JULIET I' faith, I am sorry that thou art not well.Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love?

Nurse Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a kind, and a handsome,--Where is your mother?

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JULIET Where is my mother! why, she is within;Where should she be?

Nurse Are you so hot? Henceforward do your messages yourself.

JULIET Come, come, what says Romeo?

Nurse Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day?

JULIET I have.

Nurse Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell;There stays a husband to make you a wife!Hie you to church!

JULIET Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell.

(exit separately)

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*TRANSITION #4: Romeo & Juliet (Romeo)

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief,

That thou her maid art far more fair than she:

It is my lady, O, it is my love!

O, that she knew she were!

Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,

Having some business, do entreat her eyes

To twinkle in their spheres till they return.

Her eyes in heaven would through the airy region stream so bright,

That birds would sing and think it were not night.

See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

O, that I were a glove upon that hand,

That I might touch that cheek!

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*Act Three, Scene 1: Romeo, Tybalt, Mercutio - FIGHT

Tybalt. Good den: a word with you.

Mercutio. And but one word? couple it with something;

make it a word and a blow.

Tybalt. Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo,--

Mercutio.Consort! ' What, dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make minstrels of us,

look to hear nothing but discords: here’s my fiddlestick; here’s that shall make you dance. Zounds, consort!

[Enter ROMEO]

Tybalt. Well, peace be with you, sir: here comes my man. Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford No better term than this,--thou art a villain!

Romeo. Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting: villain am I none; Therefore farewell.

Tybalt. Boy, this shall not excuse the injurie that thou hast done me!

Romeo. I do protest, I never injured thee, But LOVE thee better than thou canst devise, And so, good Capulet,-which name I tender As dearly as my own,-be satisfied.

Mercutio. [to Romeo]

O calm, dishonourable, vile submission![to Tybalt]

Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?

Tybalt. What wouldst thou have with me?

Mercutio. Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives!

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Tybalt. I am for you.

Romeo. Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.

Mercutio. Come, sir, your passado.

[Tybalt & Mercutio fight, pushing Romeo out of the way]

Romeo. Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio!

[TYBALT under ROMEO's arm stabs MERCUTIO, and runs out]

Mercutio. I am hurt. A plague o' both your houses! I am sped.

Romeo.Courage man, the hurt cannot be much…

Mercutio. Ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man. A plague o' both your houses! 'Why the devil came you between us? I was hurt under your arm! They have made wormsmeat of me.

Romeo. I thought all for the best. [MERCUTIO dies]

Romeo. This gentleman, the prince’s near ally,

My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt In my behalf; my reputation stain’d With Tybalt’s slander, --Tybalt, that an hourHath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,Thy beauty hath made me effeminateAnd in my temper soften’d valour’s steel!

[Re-enter TYBALT]

Now, Tybalt, for Mercutio's soul Is but a little way above our heads,Staying for thine to keep him company:Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.

Tybalt. Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, shalt with him hence.

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Romeo. This shall determine that.

[They fight; ROMEO stabs TYBALT & he dies]

Romeo. O, I am fortune's fool!

[exit Romeo]

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*TRANSITION #5: Romeo & Juliet (What’s in a name)

‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself though, not a Montague. O! be some other name!

What's in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet;

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,Retain that dear perfection which he owesWithout that title.

Romeo, doff thy name,And for that name which is no part of theeTake all myself.

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“Merchant of Venice” ACT IV, Scene 1 - COURTROOM 1: Duke, Portia, Shylock, Bassanio, Antonio

DUKE

Upon my power I may dismiss this court,Unless Bellario, a learned doctor,Whom I have sent for to determine this,Come here to-day.

BASSANIO

Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

SHYLOCK

To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there.

DUKE This letter from Bellario doth commendA young and learned doctor to our court.

(Enter PORTIA, dressed like a doctor of laws)

Give me your hand. Come you from old Bellario?

PORTIA I did, my lord.Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew?

DUKE Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth.

PORTIA

Is your name Shylock?

SHYLOCK

Shylock is my name.

PORTIA Of a strange nature is the suit you follow;You stand within his danger, do you not?ANTONIO Ay, so he says.

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PORTIA

Do you confess the bond?

ANTONIO

I do.

PORTIA Then must the Jew be merciful.

SHYLOCK

On what compulsion must I? tell me that.

PORTIA

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,It droppeth as the gentle rain from heavenUpon the place beneath: it is twice blest;It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomesThe throned monarch better than his crown;His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,The attribute to awe and majesty,Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;But mercy is above this sceptred sway;It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,It is an attribute to God himself;And earthly power doth then show likest God'sWhen mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,Though justice be thy plea, consider this,That, in the course of justice, none of usShould see salvation: we do pray for mercy;And that same prayer doth teach us all to renderThe deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus muchTo mitigate the justice of thy plea;Which if thou follow, this strict court of VeniceMust needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.

SHYLOCK

My deeds upon my head! I crave the law,The penalty and forfeit of my bond.

PORTIA

Is he not able to discharge the money?

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BASSANIO

Yes, here I tender it for him in the court;Yea, twice the sum: if that will not suffice,I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er,On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart:If this will not suffice, it must appearThat malice bears down truth. And I beseech you,Wrest once the law to your authority:To do a great right, do a little wrong,And curb this cruel devil of his will.

PORTIA

It must not be; there is no power in VeniceCan alter a decree established:

SHYLOCK

A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel!O wise young judge, how I do honour thee!

PORTIA I pray you, let me look upon the bond.

SHYLOCK

Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is.

PORTIA

Shylock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee.

SHYLOCK An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven:Shall I lay perjury upon my soul?No, not for Venice.

PORTIA

Why, this bond is forfeit;And lawfully by this the Jew may claimA pound of flesh, to be by him cut offNearest the merchant's heart. Be merciful:Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.

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SHYLOCK

When it is paid according to the tenor.It doth appear you are a worthy judge;You know the law, by my soul I swearThere is no power in the tongue of manTo alter me: I stay here on my bond.

ANTONIO

Most heartily I do beseech the courtTo give the judgment.

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*TRANSITION #6: Hamlet (To be, or not to be)

To be or not to be, that is the question; whether 'tis nobler in the mind to sufferthe slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them.

To die, to sleep;No more; and by a sleep to say we endthe heart-ache and the thousand natural shocksthat flesh is heir to — 'tis a consummationdevoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub,

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,when we have shuffled off this mortal coil,must give us pause. There's the respectthat makes calamity of so long life.

Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,with this regard their currents turn awry,

And lose the name of action.

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PART 2: Hamlet

*ACT II, Scene 2: Hamlet and Polonius

LORD POLONIUS

How does my good Lord Hamlet?

HAMLET

Well, God-a-mercy.

LORD POLONIUS

Do you know me, my lord?

HAMLET

Excellent well; you are a fishmonger.

LORD POLONIUS

Not I, my lord.

HAMLET

Then I would you were so honest a man.

LORD POLONIUS

Honest, my lord!

HAMLET

Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be

one man picked out of ten thousand.

LORD POLONIUS

That's very true, my lord.

HAMLET

Have you a daughter?

LORD POLONIUS

I have, my lord.

HAMLET

Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a blessing:

but not as your daughter may conceive. Friend, look to 't.

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LORD POLONIUS

[Aside] How say you by that? Still harping on my

daughter: yet he knew me not at first; he said I

was a fishmonger: he is far gone, far gone.

[back to Hamlet] What do you read, my lord?

HAMLET

Words… words… words.

LORD POLONIUS

What is the matter, my lord?

HAMLET

Slanders, sir.

LORD POLONIUS

[Aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't.

[back to Hamlet] Will you walk out of the air, my lord?

HAMLET

Into my grave.

LORD POLONIUS

Indeed, that is out o' the air!

[Aside] I will leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter.—

[back to Hamlet] My honourable lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.

HAMLET

You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will

more willingly part withal: except my life…except my life… except my life.

LORD POLONIUS

Fare you well, my lord. [Exit]

HAMLET

These tedious old fools!!!! [Exit]

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*Act Three, Scene 1: Hamlet & Ophelia

OPHELIA

How does your honour for this many a day?

HAMLET

I humbly thank you; well, well, well.

OPHELIA

My lord, I have remembrances of yours, that I have longed long to re-deliver;

I pray you, now receive them.

HAMLET

No, not I; I never gave you aught.

OPHELIA

My honour'd lord, you know right well you did;

And, with them, words of so sweet breath composed

As made the things more rich…There, my lord.

HAMLET

Ha, ha! are you honest?

OPHELIA

My lord?

HAMLET

Are you fair?

OPHELIA

What means your lordship?

HAMLET

I did love you once.

OPHELIA

Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.

HAMLET

You should not have believed me; I loved you not.

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OPHELIA

I was the more deceived.

HAMLET

Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?

Where's your father?

OPHELIA

At home, my lord.

HAMLET

Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the

fool no where but in's own house.

OPHELIA

O, help him, you sweet heavens!

HAMLET

If thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool;

for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them.

OPHELIA

O heavenly powers, restore him!

HAMLET

God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another.

Go to, I'll no more on't; it hath made me mad.

I say, we will have no more marriages:

To a nunnery, go.

(Exit)

OPHELIA

O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!

O, woe is me,

To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!

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*TRANSITION #7: Hamlet (Rogue & Peasant Slave)

O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!

Is it not monstrous that this player here,

But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,

Could force his soul so to his own conceit

That from her working all his visage wann'd,

Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,

A broken voice, and his whole function suiting

With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing!

Yet I, A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,

Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,

And can say nothing; no, not for a king,

Upon whose property and most dear life

A damn'd defeat was made.

Am I a coward? it cannot be

But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall

To make oppression bitter… bloody, bawdy villain!

Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain! O, vengeance!

Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,

That I, the son of a dear father murder'd,

Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,

Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,

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And fall a-cursing…

Fie upon't! I have heard

That guilty creatures sitting at a play

Have by the very cunning of the scene

Been struck so to the soul that presently

They have proclaim'd their malefactions;

For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak

With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players

Play something like the murder of my father

Before mine uncle: I'll observe his looks;

I'll tent him to the quick: if he but blench,

I know my course.

The play 's the thing

Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.

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ACT II, Scene 2: Hamlet, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern

GUILDENSTERN

My honoured lord!

ROSENCRANTZ

My most dear lord!

HAMLET

My excellent good friends! How dost thou,Guildenstern? Ah, Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both?

ROSENCRANTZ

As the indifferent children of the earth.

GUILDENSTERN

Happy, in that we are not over-happy;On fortune's cap we are not the very button.

HAMLET

What's the news?

ROSENCRANTZ

None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.

HAMLET

Then is doomsday near: but your news is not true.Let me question more in particular: what have you,my good friends, deserved at the hands of fortune,that she sends you to prison hither?

GUILDENSTERN

Prison, my lord!

HAMLET

Denmark's a prison.

ROSENCRANTZ

Then is the world one.

HAMLET

A goodly one; in which there are many confines,wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the worst.

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ROSENCRANTZ

We think not so, my lord.

HAMLET

Why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothingeither good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to meit is a prison.

ROSENCRANTZ

Why then, your ambition makes it one; 'tis toonarrow for your mind.

HAMLET

O God, I could be bounded in a nut shell and countmyself a king of infinite space, were it not that Ihave bad dreams.

HAMLET

But, in thebeaten way of friendship, what make you at Elsinore?

ROSENCRANTZ

To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.

HAMLET

Were you not sent for? Is ityour own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come,deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.

GUILDENSTERN

What should we say, my lord?

HAMLET

Why, any thing, but to the purpose. You were sentfor; and there is a kind of confession in your lookswhich your modesties have not craft enough to colour:I know the good king and queen have sent for you.

ROSENCRANTZ

To what end, my lord?

HAMLET

That you must teach me. Be even and direct with me,whether you were sent for, or no?

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GUILDENSTERN

My lord, we were sent for!!

HAMLET

I will tell you why; so shall my anticipationprevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the kingand queen moult no feather.

I have of late—but wherefore I know not--lost all my mirth, forgone allcustom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavilywith my disposition that this goodly frame, theearth, seems to me a sterile promontory… this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why,

it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.

What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason!how infinite in faculty! in form and moving howexpress and admirable! in action how like an angel!in apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world! the paragon of animals!

And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me: no, nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

ROSENCRANTZ

My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.

HAMLET

Why did you laugh then, when I said 'man delights not me'?

ROSENCRANTZ

To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, whatlenten entertainment the players shall receive fromyou: we coted them on the way; and hither are theycoming, to offer you service.

*Act Three, Scene 4: Hamlet & Gertrude

HAMLET

Now, mother, what's the matter?

QUEEN GERTRUDE

Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.

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HAMLET

Mother, you have my father much offended.

QUEEN GERTRUDE

Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue.

HAMLET

What's the matter now?

QUEEN GERTRUDE

Have you forgot me?

HAMLET

No, you are the queen, your husband's brother's wife;

And--would it were not so!--you are my mother.

QUEEN GERTRUDE

Nay, then, I'll set those to you that can speak.

HAMLET

Come, come, and sit you down; you shall not budge.

QUEEN GERTRUDE

What wilt thou do? thou wilt not murder me? Help, help, ho!

LORD POLONIUS, (from behind the curtain)

What, ho! help, help, help!

HAMLET

How now! a rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead!

(Stabs Polonius through the curtain)

LORD POLONIUS

O, I am slain! (Falls and rolls out, dies)

QUEEN GERTRUDE

O me, what hast thou done?!!

HAMLET

Nay, I know not: Is it the king? (THEN sees that it is Polonius, not Claudius)

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QUEEN GERTRUDE

O, what a rash and bloody deed is this!

HAMLET

A bloody deed! almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king, and marry with his brother.

QUEEN GERTRUDE

As kill a king!

HAMLET

Ay, lady, 'twas my word. Peace! sit you down, And let me wring your heart;

QUEEN GERTRUDE

What have I done, that thou darest wag thy tongue in noise so rude against me?

HAMLET

Look here, upon this picture, and on this, the counterfeit presentment of two brothers.

See, this was your husband. Here is your husband; Ha! have you eyes? You cannot call it love!

QUEEN GERTRUDE

O Hamlet, speak no more: Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul!

HAMLET

Nay, but to live , stew'd in corruption…

QUEEN GERTRUDE

O, speak to me no more; these words, like daggers, enter in mine ears;

HAMLET

A murderer and a villain…

QUEEN GERTRUDE

No more!

HAMLET

A king of shreds and patches,--

QUEEN GERTRUDE

Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain!

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*TRANSITION #7: Hamlet (Polonius)

My blessing with thee, and these few precepts in thy memory

See thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,

Nor any unproportioned thought his act.

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.

Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,

Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;

But do not dull thy palm with entertainment

Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. Beware

Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,

Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.

Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;

Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,

But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;

For the apparel oft proclaims the man,

And they in France of the best rank and station

Are of a most select and generous chief in that.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be;

For loan oft loses both itself and friend,

And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

This above all: to thine ownself be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

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“Merchant of Venice” ACT IV, Scene 1 - COURTROOM 2: Duke, Portia, Shylock, Bassanio, Antonio

PORTIA Why then, thus it is:You must prepare your bosom for his knife.

SHYLOCK O noble judge! O excellent young man!

PORTIA Therefore lay bare your bosom.

SHYLOCK 'Nearest his heart:' those are the very words.

PORTIA It is so. Are there balance here to weigh the flesh?

SHYLOCK I have them ready.

PORTIA Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge,To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death.

SHYLOCK Is it so nominated in the bond?

PORTIA It is not so express'd: but what of that?'Twere good you do so much for charity.

SHYLOCK I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond.

PORTIA You, merchant, have you any thing to say?

ANTONIO But little: I am arm'd and well prepared.Give me your hand, Bassanio: fare you well!Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you;Commend me to your honourable wife:Tell her the process of Antonio's end;Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death…

SHYLOCK We trifle time: I pray thee, pursue sentence.

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PORTIA A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine:The court awards it, and the law doth give it.

SHYLOCK Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare! [pulls knife back to stab Antonio]

PORTIA TARRY A LITTLE; there is something else.This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood;The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh:'Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh;But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shedOne drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goodsAre, by the laws of Venice, confiscateUnto the state of Venice.

SHYLOCK Is that the law?

PORTIA Thyself shalt see the act:For, as thou urgest justice, be assuredThou shalt have justice, more than thou desirest.

SHYLOCK I take this offer, then; pay the bond thriceAnd let the Christian go.

BASSANIO

Here is the money.

PORTIA Soft!The Jew shall have all justice; soft! no haste:He shall have nothing but the penalty.Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor moreBut just a pound of flesh: if thou cut'st moreOr less than a just pound, nay, if the scale do turnBut in the estimation of a hair,Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate.

SHYLOCK Give me my principal, and let me go.

BASSANIO I have it ready for thee; here it is.

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PORTIA He hath refused it in the open court:He shall have merely justice and his bond.

SHYLOCK Shall I not have barely my principal?

PORTIA Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture,To be so taken at thy peril, Jew.

SHYLOCK Why, then the devil give him good of it!I'll stay no longer question.

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*TRANSITION #8, Merchant of Venice (Bassanio)

O sweet Portia,  When I did first impart my love to you,I freely told you, all the wealth I hadRan in my veins, I was a gentleman;

And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady,When I told youMy state was nothing, I should then have told you That I was worse than nothing;

for, indeed,I have engaged myself to a dear friend,Engaged my friend to his mere enemy,To feed my means.

Here is a letter, lady;The paper as the body of my friend, And every word in it a gaping wound,Issuing life-blood.

All his ventures fail'd…

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PART 3: Much Ado About Nothing

“Much Ado About Nothing” ACT I, Scene 1: Beatrice & Benedick

BENEDICK

If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not

have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is.

BEATRICE

I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you

BENEDICK

What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?

BEATRICE

Is it possible disdain should die while she hath

such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?

Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence.

BENEDICK

Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I

am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I

would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard

heart; for, truly, I love none.

BEATRICE

A dear happiness to women: they would else have

been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God

and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I

had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.

BENEDICK

God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some

gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face.

BEATRICE

Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such a face as yours were.

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BENEDICK

Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.

BEATRICE

A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.

BENEDICK

I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and

so good a continuer. But keep your way, i' God's name; I have done.

BEATRICE

You always end with a jade's trick: I know you of old.

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*TRANSITION #9: Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice)

What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true?

Stand I condemn’d for pride and scorn so much?

Contempt, farewell! And maiden pride, adieu!

No glory lives behind the back of such.

And, Benedick, love on!

I will requite thee, taming my wild heart to thy loving hand:

If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee to bind our loves up in a holy band;

For others say thou dost deserve…

And I believe it better than reportingly!

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“Much Ado About Nothing” ACT II, Scene 1: Leonato, Beatrice, Benedick, Hero, Claudio

LEONATO:

By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.

BEATRICE:

What should I do with him? He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him.

LEONATO:

Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with a husband.

BEATRICE:

Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust? To make an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl? No uncle, I’ll none. Hear me: wooing, wedding and repenting, is as a Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque pace: the first suit is hot and hasty, like a Scotch jig, and full as fantastical; the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a measure, full of state and ancestry; and then comes repentance and, with his bad legs, falls into the cinque pace faster and faster, till he sind into his grave.

[Enter Benedick]

LEONATO:

Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.

BENEDICK:

Do not you love me?

BEATRICE:

Why no; no more than reason.

BENEDICK:

Why, then your uncle and the prince and Clausio have been deceived; they swore you did!

BEATRICE:

Do not you love me?

BENEDICK:

Troth no, no more than reason.

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BEATRICE:

Why then my cousin Margaret and Ursula are much deceived; for they did swear you did!

BENEDICK:

They swore that you were almost sick for me.

BEATRICE:

They swore that you were well-nigh dead for me.

BENEDICK:

Tis no such matter. Then you do not love me?

BEATRICE:

No truly, but in friendly recompense.

LEONATO:

Come cousin, I am sure you love the gentleman!

CLAUDIO:

And I’ll be sworn upon’t that he love her; for here’s a paper written in his hand, a halting sonnet of his own pure brain, fashion’d to Beatrice.

HERO:

And here’s another writ in my cousin’s hand, stolen from her pocket, containing her affection unto Benedick!

BENEDICK:

A miracle! Here’s our own hands against our hearts…Come I will have thee; but by this light, I take thee for pity.

BEATRICE:

I would not deny you; but by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion; and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a comsumption!

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“Merchant of Venice” ACT IV, Scene 1 PART 3: Duke, Portia, Shylock, Bassanio, Antonio

PORTIA

Tarry, Jew: The law hath yet another hold on you.It is enacted in the laws of Venice,If it be proved against an alienThat by direct or indirect attemptsHe seek the life of any citizen,The party 'gainst the which he doth contriveShall seize one half his goods; the other halfComes to the privy coffer of the state;And the offender's life lies in the mercyOf the duke only, 'gainst all other voice.In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st;Down therefore and beg mercy of the duke.

BASSANIO Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself:

DUKE

That thou shalt see the difference of our spirits,I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it:For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's;The other half comes to the general state,Which humbleness may drive unto a fine.

PORTIA

Ay, for the state, not for Antonio.

SHYLOCK

Nay, take my life and all; pardon not that:you take my life when you do take the means whereby I live.

PORTIA

What mercy can you render him, Antonio?

BASSANIO

(A halter gratis; nothing else, for God's sake.)

ANTONIO

So please my lord the duke and all the courtTo quit the fine for one half of his goods,

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I am content; so he will let me haveThe other half in use, to render it,Upon his death, unto the gentlemanThat lately stole his daughter:Two things provided more, that, for this favour,He presently become a Christian;The other, that he do record a gift,Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd,Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter.

DUKE He shall do this, or else I do recantThe pardon that I late pronounced here.

PORTIA

Art thou contented, Jew? what dost thou say?

SHYLOCK I am content.I pray you, give me leave to go from hence;I am not well: send the deed after me,And I will sign it.

DUKE Get thee gone, but do it.

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PART 4: Macbeth

*TRANSITION #10: Macbeth (a drum beating)

“Macbeth” ACT I, Scene 1: THREE WITCHES

First Witch

When shall we three meet againIn thunder, lightning, or in rain?

Second Witch

When the hurlyburly's done,When the battle's lost and won.

Third Witch

That will be ere the set of sun.

First Witch

Where the place?

Second Witch

Upon the heath.

Third Witch

There to meet with Macbeth.

ALL

Fair is foul, and foul is fair:Hover through the fog and filthy air.

The weird sisters, hand in hand,Posters of the sea and land,Thus do go about, about:Thrice to thine and thrice to mineAnd thrice again, to make up nine.Peace! the charm's wound up.

FIRST WITCH:

O well done! I commend your pains; and every one shall share in the gains; and now about the cauldron sing, like elves and fairies in a ring, enchanting all that you put in.

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THRID WITCH:

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. Open locks, whoever knocks.

MACBETH:

So foul and fair a day I have not seen.

BANQUO:

What are these, so wither’d and so wild in their attire, that look not like the inhabitants o’ the earth, and yet are on’t?

MACBETH:

Speak, if you can, what are you?

FIRST WITCH:

All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee than of Glamis!

SECOND WITCH:

All hail Macbeth, hail to thee thane of Cawdor!

THIRD WITCH:

All hail Macbeth, thou shalt be kind hereafter!

BANQUO:

If you can look into the seeds of time, speak then to me.

FIRST WITCH:

Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.

SECOND WITCH:

Not so happy, yet much happier.

THIRD WITCH:

Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.

ALL:

All hail Banquo and Macbeth.

MACBETH:

I know I am than of Glamis, but how of Cawdor? Say from whence you owe this strange intelligence?

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BANQUO:

Whither are they vanish’d?

MACBETH:

Into the air and what seem’d corporal melted as breath into the wind.

Your children shall be kings!

BANQUO:

You shall be king!

MACBETH:

And thane of Cawdor too, went it not so?

ROSS:

The king hath happily received Macbeth, the news of thy success; as thick as hail came post with post; and every one did bear thy praises in his kingdom’s great defence, and pour’d them down before him. We are sent to give thee from our royal master thanks; and for an earnest of a greater honour, he bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor; In which addition, hail, most worthy thane for it is thine!

BANQUO:

What, can the devil speak true?

MACBETH:

The thane of Cawdor lives, why do you dress me in borrow’d robes?

ROSS:

Who was the thane lives yet, but under heavy judgment bears that life which he deserves to lose. Treasons capital, confess’d and proved, have overthrown him.

MACBETH:

Glamis, and thane of Cawdor. The greatest is behind. Thanks for you pains. Do you not hope your children shall be kings when those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me promised no less to them?

BANQUO:

That trusted home might yet inkindle you unto the crown, besides the thane of Cawdor. But tis strange; and oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence.

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*TRANSITION #11: Macbeth (Lady Macbeth)

The raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my

battlements.

Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,

And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty! make thick my blood;

Stop up the access and passage to remorse, that no compunctious visitings of nature

Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between the effect and it!

Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,

That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,

Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,

To cry 'Hold, hold!'

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“Macbeth” ACT II, Scene 2: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth

MACBETH I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?

LADY MACBETH I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.Did not you speak?

MACBETH When?

LADY MACBETH Now.

MACBETH As I descended?

LADY MACBETH Ay.

MACBETH This is a sorry sight.(Looking on his hands)

LADY MACBETH A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.

MACBETH One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the other;Listening their fear, I could not say 'Amen,'When they did say 'God bless us!'

LADY MACBETH Consider it not so deeply.

MACBETH But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen'?I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen' stuck in my throat.

LADY MACBETH These deeds must not be thoughtAfter these ways; so, it will make us mad.

MACBETH Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep…

49

LADY MACBETH Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,You do unbend your noble strength, to thinkSo brainsickly of things. Go get some water,And wash this filthy witness from your hand.[Macbeth reveals the daggers]Why did you bring these daggers from the place?They must lie there: go carry them; and smearThe sleepy grooms with blood.

MACBETH I'll go no more:I am afraid to think what I have done;Look on't again I dare not.

LADY MACBETH Infirm of purpose!Give me the daggers: the sleeping and the deadAre but as pictures: 'tis the eye of childhoodThat fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal;For it must seem their guilt.[Exit].

MACBETH What hands are here? Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this bloodClean from my hand? No.(Re-enter LADY MACBETH)

LADY MACBETH My hands are of your colour; but I shameTo wear a heart so white.(Knocking within)I hear a knocking: retire we to our chamber;A little water clears us of this deed:How easy is it, then! (Knocking within)Hark! more knocking.Be not lostSo poorly in your thoughts.

MACBETH To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself.(Knocking within)Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst![Exit together]

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*TRANSITION #12: Macbeth (Mac/Dagger)

Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?

Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.

Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight?

or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-

oppressed brain?

I see thee still, And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, which was not so before.

There's no such thing: It is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes.

Whiles I threat, he lives: words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.

I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.

Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell that summons thee

to heaven or to hell.

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“Macbeth” ACT V, Scene 7: Macbeth, Macduff - FIGHT

MACDUFF

Tyrant, show thy face!If thou be'st slain and with no stroke of mine,My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still.Let me find him, fortune!And more I beg not.

MACBETH

Why should I play the Roman fool, and dieOn mine own sword? whiles I see lives, the gashesDo better upon them.

[Enter MACDUFF]

MACDUFF Turn, hell-hound, turn!

MACBETH Of all men else I have avoided thee:But get thee back; my soul is too much chargedWith blood of thine already.

MACDUFF I have no words:My voice is in my sword: thou bloodier villainThan terms can give thee out!(They fight)

MACBETH Thou losest labour:Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests;I bear a charmed life, which must not yield,To one of woman born.

MACDUFF Despair thy charm;And let the angel whom thou still hast servedTell thee, Macduff was from his mother's wombUntimely ripp'd.

MACBETH Accursed be that tongue that tells me so,For it hath cow'd my better part of man!I'll not fight with thee.

MACDUFF Then yield thee, coward,And live to be the show and gaze o' the time:

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We'll have thee, as our rarer monsters are,Painted on a pole, and underwrit,'Here may you see the tyrant.'

MACBETH I will not yield,To kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet,And to be baited with the rabble's curse.Yet I will try the last. Before my bodyI throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff,And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'

MACDUFFThe time is free…

EPILOGUE: TBA

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