,

William Shakespeare
1
ingls:espaol
ClarinX
Directora
Hamlet
Ernestina Herrera de Noble

Editor General de Redaccin Hamlet

Ricardo Kirschbaum

LIBROS BILINGES CLARIN 111/11/1/11

Editor General de Revistas y Proyectos Especiales

Norberto Angeletti

Editor Jefe de Proyectos Especiales

Jos Antonio Alemn

Editor Jefe de Diseo

1,
Jorge Doneiger

Diseo
Vernica Colombo
Romina Romero

Impresin
Artes Grficas Rioplatense
Tacuar 1850, Capital

Copyright 2008 AGEA SA / Queda hecho el depsito que establece la ley 11.723
Este libro no puede ser reproducido, ni total ni parcialmente. sin el permiso escrito del editor.
Todos los derechos reservados.

Shakespeare, William
Hamlet == Hamlet / William Shakespeare ; edicin literaria a cargo de Jos Alemn . 1a ed . Buenos
Aires: Arte Grfico Editorial Argentino, 2009.
v. 6, 64 p. ; 20x13 cm. - (Libros bilinges Clarn ingls-cas1ellano; 6)

Edicin bilinge espaol, ingls

ISBN 978-987-07 -0487-4
LIBROS /1/1/1////1
1. Teatro Ingls. 1. Alemn, Jos, ed. lit. BILlNGUES //1//1//11/1//1
CDD 822.33 CUlRIN //11/1/11/1
Fecha de catalogacin: 24/11/2008
 HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK
1 1
The King ofDenmark died. His widow, Gertrude, soon married
the King's brother, Claudius, who has now become King.
Hamlet, the Prince, is disgusted with his mother for the wed-
ding, and dislikes his unde very mucho
On a platform before the castle, at Elsinore, is Francisco, a sol-
dier, at his post. Bernardo, an officer, comes to relieve him.
"Long live the King!" exdaims Bernardo.
"You come most carefiilly' upon your hour," tells him Francisco.
"It is now struck twelve. Get thee/ to bed, Francisco."
"For this relief many thanks: it is too cold, and 1am sick at heart
"Have youhad a quiet guard?" asks Bernardo.
"Not a mouse stirring," he answers, prepared to leave.
Bernardo awaits for his partner Marcellus and Horario, Prince
Harnlet's kind and loyal friendo For two nights running, after
rnidnight, Marcellus and Bernardo have seen at their post the
apparition of a ghost. They are sure that it is the late" King's
ghost. Horatio says it is but their fantasy, and will not let that
belief take hold ofhim. Therefore Marcellus has entreated him
to watch along with them this present night; and, if again the
apparition comes, he may believe them."
1, Cariflllly: cuidadosamente, En este contexto, puntualmente, atinadamente.
2, Thee: t, Forma arcaica del pronombre objeto de segunda persona del singular yOIl,
3, Yo be sick at heart/Izeartsick: estar abatido, sin fuerzas apenado,
4, Late: tarde, tardo, En este contexto, difunto,
HAMLET
1I 1\ Y de Dinamarca ha muerto. Su viuda, Gertrudis, no tarda en
t ,1\.11 Sl' con el hermano del rey, Claudio, quien ahora se ha con-
vertido en soberano. Hamlet, el prncipe, est furioso con su madre
por la boda, y le desagrada muchsimo su to.
1~11 11I1a explanada delante del castillo, en Elsinor, se encuentra
I i.u u 1\\ o, t111 soldado, en su puesto. Bernardo, un oficial, llega a
1\ 1\'''.11 In.
Larga vida al rey! +exclama Bernardo.
-Llegas puntualmente a tu hora -Ie dice Francisco.
."3 +Son las doce ahora.Vete a dormir, Francisco.
Mu. h.1S gr,1Ciaspor este relevo: hace demasiado fro y me sien-
(tl.lh.ltldll.
l J.\" umdo 1111.1 gll;lIda tranquila? -pregunta Bernardo.
+No se ha movido ni un ratn -contesta, listo para irse.
Bernardo espera a su compaero Marcelo y a Horacio, el
buen y leal amigo del prncipe Harnlet. Durante dos noches
seguidas, despus de la medianoche, Marcelo y Bernardo han
visto en su puesto la aparicin de un fantasma. Estn seguros
de que es el fantas111_adel difunto rey. Horacio dice que no es
ms que su fantasa, y no se dejar llevar por esa supersticin.
Por eso, Marcelo le ha rogado que vigile junto a ellos esta mis-
ma noche; y, si la aparicin vuelve, tendr que creerles.
 6 HAMLET
HAMLET 7

'sl.n acercando y Bernardo les da la bienvenida a ambos.

They are coming closer, and Bernardo welcomes them
both. Qu, ha aparecido esa cosa de nuevo esta noche? +le pre-

"What, has that thing appeared again tonight?" asks Marcellus 'unta Marcelo.
"1 have seen nothing yet." -No he visto nada todava.
-Bah! N o aparecer -dice el escptico Horacio.
"Bah!, it will not appear," says the skeprical Horacio.
Pinz lrnente convencen a Horacio de que se siente y espere
They finally convince Horacio to take a seat and wait for a while.
But they don't need to wait mucho \11\ morn nto. Pero no necesitan esperar mucho.
Sil'ncio! Mira, viene de nuevo! -susurra Marcelo-. Acaso
"Be quiet! Look, it comes again!" whispers Marcellus. "Does it
not look like the King? Mark'' it, Horario." 1I se parece al rey? Mralo, Horacio.
-Muy parecido, lo que me llena de miedo y asombro -con-
"Most like, it harrows me with fear and wonder," he replies.
"You are a seh o 1ar; 6 speak. to it,
. I('S, '.!.
Horatio," says Marcellus.
"Question it." '111 '1 (S un irudito; hblale, Horacio -dice Marcelo-. Pre-
gllll!." ,
And Horacio speaks to it:
Y 110";\ , 1, habla:
"Who are you that usurp this time of night, with that noble
and warlike form in which the former majesty ofDenmark did
- uin eres t que usurpas este momento de la noche con
esa noble y marcial figura con la que marchaba a veces la ante-
sometimes march? By heaven.I speakl"
But the Ghost vanishes. i( r majestad. de Dinamarca? Por Dios, habla!

"It is offended," says Marcellus. "It is gone, and will not ans-
e
1'('l (1 ntasma desaparece.
wer. " Es!.\ o( ndi 1 -di Marcelo-. Se ha ido y no responder.
-Y ahora qu, Horacio?Tiemblas y ests plido: no es esto
"What about now, Horario?You tremble and look pale: is not
algo ms que una fantasa? Qu piensas de esto? -pregunta
this something more than fantasy?What do you think ofit?" asks
Bernardo. Bernardo.
Juro ante Dios que no lo creera sin la constatacin de mis
"1 swear before my God that 1 might not believe this without
\llopios ~ s +contesta Horacio.
the avouch of my own eyes," answers Horacio.
No S' p:lr .ce al rey? -pregunta Marcelo.
"Does it not look like the King?" asks Marcellus.
"A s you are to yourse lf : such was the very armour he had on 1110 t
ti mismo: aqulla era la mismsima armadura
l

que llevaba puesta cuando combati contra la ambiciosa

when he combated the ambitious Norway. It is strange," replies
good Horatio. Noruega. Es extrao -contesta el buen Horacio.

5. To lIlark: observar.juzgar, mirar.

6. Sthoiar:erudito. En esa poca se sostena que los espritus y todo lo que tena que ver con el otro
mundo se comunicaban en latn, algo que slo los eruditos estudiaban.
7. By heaveul: ipor el cielo! Expresin equivalente a por Dios!
 ~ HAMLET
"Is a war coming, Horatio? 1 mean, for his armour."
"1 do not know what to think, but, in my opinion, this bodes
some strange eruption to our state."
In fact, the late King Hamlet had defeated and killed Fortinbras ,
the King ofNorway, who by a sealed compact, duly ratified by
law, did forfeit8 all his lands to the conqueror. Now, Fortinbras,
his son, knowing him dead, has sharked up a list oflawless men
to recover those lands from Denmark by strong hand. This was
the main motive of their watch.
They are talking of all these subjects, when the Ghost shows
up again, and Horacio cries out to it:
"Stay, illusion! Speak to me: if there is any good thing to be
done, that may ease you, speak to me. If you are privy to your
country's fate, which, happily, we may avoid, speak!"Just then the
cock crows. "Speak! Stop it, Marcel1us!"
"It is gone!" answers Marcellus.
"It was about to speak when the cock crew," says Bernardo.
When the sun rises, they resolve to tell Hamlet about the Ghost;
for they are quite sure this spirit will speak to him.
In the meanwhile, in a room of state in the castle, the new King,
the Queen, and Harnlet are gathered and have a conversation
with other courtiers. The King Claudius speaks:
"Though the memory of our dear King Hamlet's death is still
green,? and the hearts of our whole kingdom are grief-stricken;
yet 1 think of him with wisest sorrow. Therefore 1 have taken to
wife my sornetirne sister.l" now my Queen. Now fol1ows that,
you know, young Fortinbras, thinking by our late dear King's death
our state to be disjoint and out of frame, wants back those lands
lost by his father with all bonds oflaw. Now, thus much the busi-
8. YofoiJeit: perder, renunciar a algo por una penalizacin.
9. Yo have I to keep the memory gree: avivar o mantener el recuerdo fresco de algo o alguien.
10. Sister: hermana. En este caso se refiere a su cuada o sister-in-law.
HAMLET 9
l' ,IV' 'ina una guerra, Horacio? Quiero decir,por su armadura.
No s qu pensar pero, en mi opinin, esto presagia alguna
traa conmocin en nuestro estado.
n efecto, el difunto rey Harnlet haba vencido y matado a
P rtimbrs, el rey de Noruega, quien segn un pacto sellado, debi-
d.uncntc ratificado por la ley, perda todas sus tierras en favor del
I nllqlll~I,ld r.Ahora, Fortimbrs hijo, sabindolo muerto, ha reclu-
t 111 .1 1111 grupo de delincuentes para recuperar, por la fuerza, aque-
H
11.1~ tierras de Dinamarca. ste era el motivo principal de sus guardias.
Mientras hablan de todos estos temas el fantasma se aparece de
nueve y Horacio le grita:
le )\lI'd,\II', ilusic n! Hblame: si hay algo bueno que pueda
11 11 I I 1 11'11 pUl d,l .iliviartc, d melo. Si conoces el destino que
,11\1 '11,11,1 :1 su pas, y qut: felizmente podamos evitar [habla! -Justo
.nton .cs canta el gallo-o Habla! Detenlo, Marcelo!
-Se ha ido! +contesta Marcelo.
Estaba a punto de hablar cuando el gallo cant -dice Bernardo.
( .u.mdo sale el sol, resuelven contarle a Harnlet lo del fantas-
porque estn completamente
111.1, seguros de que este espritu
hablar con l.
Mientras tanto, en un saln del castillo, el nuevo rey, la reina y
Hamlet estn reunidos y conversan con otros cortesanos. El rey
.laudio habla:
-A pesar de que el recuerdo de la muerte de nuestro querido
1 ey Harnlet est todava fresco, y de que los corazones de todo
11u estro reino soportan una gran pena; aun as,yo pienso en l con
el ms sabio dolor. Por eso, he tomado por esposa a la que alguna
vez fue mi cuada y ahora es mi reina. Ahora sucede que, como
s, ben, el joven Fortimbrs, creyendo que por la muerte de nues-
tlO querido difunto rey nuestro estado se encontrar desunido y
t1.lstornado, quiere recuperar todas aquellas tierras perdidas por su
p,ldll . n todas las de la ley.Ahora bien, el asunto es el siguiente:
 1() HAMLET

HAMLET 11

ness is: we have written to Norway, to the unde of young

I11 11111 's 'rito a Noruega, al to del joven Fortimbrs, quien ape-
Fortinbras, who scarcely hears of the purpose of his nephew, to
suppress Fortinbras' further gait.And Idispatch you, good Comelius 11.1 t 011 e el propsito de su sobrino, para detener el avance de
I '1 1 tirnbrs.Y yo los envo a ustedes, buen Cornelio y Voltimand,
andVoltimand, as bearers of this greeting t? Norway. Farewell,"!!
111 portadores de este saludo a Noruega.vayan, con Dios. .
They bow to the King and then leave the room. Next, the King
I LI . .n una reverencia al rey y abandonan el salon.Acto segUl-
addresses Laertes, Polonius' son, who requests the leave12 and
1111, ( 1 r y se dirige a Laertes, el hijo de Polonio, quien solicita la
favour of the King to return to France. The King first asks
1111,1Y el favor del rey para regresar a Francia. El rey pregu~ta
Polonius, the Lord Chamberlain, father ofLaertes and Ophelia;
111 1111 .ro a Polonio, el primer chambeln, padre de Laertes y Ofelia,
and so the permission is granted.
y .ntonces se le concede el permiso.
"Laertes; time be yours, you can leave", orders the King, and
-Laertes, aprovecha tu tiempo, puedes irte -le ordena ~l rey,.y
then, addressing young Harnlet, says: "But now, my nephew
Hamlet, and my son ... how is it that you are still so sad and full of 111 'g ,dirigindose aljoven HamIet, le =:Per~ ahora, ~ sobri-
sorrow?" . 1H I I 1. mlet, y mi hijo ... cmo es que todava estas tan tnste y lle-

"Not so, my lord; I am too happy," answers ironically Hamlet, 111) lc p na? ., .
who feels very uneasy about his unde. -Para nada, mi seor, estoy demasiado feliz -contesta iroruca-
111 nte Hamlet, quien se siente muy incmodo con su to.
"Good Hamlet, do not seek for your noble father in the dust
for ever: you know it is conunon, all that lives must die," says
-Bu n Harnlet, no busques a tu noble padre en el polvo siem-
IHI"' ,dH s que s normal, todo lo que vive debe morir -dice dul-
sweetly Gertrude.
1111111111 (:t'llllldis,
"Ay, 13 rnadam, it is common," replies her son. "But it is not alo-
's 11< 1111;\1 -1 ' nt sta u hijo-o Pero no es slo mi
, ." ~ '1101 ,1,
ne my inky doak, good mother, nor the crying of my eyes, toge-
apa negra, buena madre, ni el llanto de mis ojos junto con todas
ther with all forrns and shows of grief, for a man can play all the-
se. It is what I have within my soul." las maneras y muestras de dolor, porque un hombre puede fin-
gir todas estas cosas. Es lo que llevo dentro del alma.
"It is sweet, Hamlet, to give this mourning to your father; but,
+Es amable, Harnlet, ofrecerle este duelo a tu padre; pero
you must know your father lost a father; that father lost his; and
debes saber que tu padre perdi a su padre, aquel padre per-
you are bound for some term to do sorrow. But to persevere in
di al suyo; y t ests obligado por un tiempo a cumplir con
obstinate condolement is unmanly; it shows a will incorrect to
el luto, pero perseverar en una condolencia obstinada es poco
heaven; a heart unfortified, a mind impatient, an understanding
viril; muestra una voluntad incorrecta hacia el cielo, un cora-
simple and unschooled. We pray you, throw this to earth; and
zn dbil, una mente impaciente, un entendimiento simple
e inculto. Te rogamos que lo deseches, y que pienses en m
11. Farewel': adis, que os vaya bien, id con Dios. Frmula poco utilizada para despedirse.
12. Leave: permiso, venia, licencia.
13. Ay or Aye: sLAdverbio afirmativo de uso literario.
 l? HAMLET
HAMLET 13

thi~k of me as a father.You are the most immediate to our throne.
And for your intent in going back to school in Wittenberg, it is
most retrograde to our desire: and we beseech you to remain
here," says the King.
His mother, Queen Gertrude, begs him to stay at Elsinore, and
the Prince obeys.
Soon they allleave the room and Hamlet talks to himself
"O that the Everlasting14 had not fixed his canon against self-
slaughter! O God! 1 find all this abhorrent and repugnant! Two
months dead! Nay,15 not even two! So excellent a king! Must 1
remember? She kissed him as if she loved him, and yet, within a
11111111 un padre. T eres el ms prximo a nuestro trono.Y con
11', p , .to a tu propsito de regresar a la escuela en Wittenberg,
-s lo ms contrario a nuestro deseo y te suplicamos que te que-
aqu -dice el rey.
u madre, la reina Gertrudis, le ruega que se quede en Elsinor,
,\ prncipe obedece.
1 '1' nto todos abandonan el saln y Harnlet habla para s:
Ojal Dios no hubiera fijado una ley contra el suicidio! Oh,
I ios! [Encuentro todo esto aborrecible y repugnante! Dos meses
mu rto, mejor dicho, ni siquiera dos! Un rey tan excelente. Debo
f( rordarlo? Ella lo besaba como si lo amara, y aun as, en un mes ...

month ... Let me not think of it. ..Your narne is Frailty, woman! r ~Il quic pensar en ello... Tu nombre es Flaqueza, mujer! Sigui
She followed my poor father's body, a11tears. O God! A beast that d ( uerpo d mi padre, llena de lgrimas. Oh Dios! Una bestia
lacks reason would have mourned longer; married within a month (,lIrlltl' de razn se habra lamentado ms tiempo; en un mes
with my uncle, my father's brother; but no more like my father casada on mi to, el hermano de mi padre, pero no ms parec-
than 1to Hercules. 0, such incestll" It is not good ..." (IO;l mi padre que yo a Hrcules. Oh, semejante incesto! No est
Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo enter at the time. Horario 1111 11 ,

relates the Prince what they have seen. HamJet is astonished. Thi~ l h u. 111, Mnrc 1 y Bernardo entran en ese momento. Horacio
troubles him very mucho He resolves he will watch with thern 1 1,11.1 ,d plllril I qu han visto. Hamlet est atnito. Esto lo
tonight. Some strange feeling is growing within his heart, and he p -rturba mu hlsim . J esuclve que esta noche har guardia con
is terrified. ('!I(S. Un extrao sentimiento est creciendo en su corazn, y est
In a room in Poloniuss house, Laertes and his beloved sister ,1 t ('1'1, el . I
Ophelia talk. 1 ,11 111 1:1 habitacin de la casa dePolonio, Laertes y su querida
"My necessaries are embarked: farewell, sister, and do not sleep, 1111111.111,1 () elia hablan:
but let me hear fiorn you.Write me." 1\1/ (1\ ,1 mb: r adas, adis, hermana, y 'no te duermas,
l'st(n
"Do you doubt that?" II,WII H ,d 1\'1 ti ' vos. I\s iribime.
"And for Hamlet, and the trifling ofhis favour, hold it a fash- - lud. s?
ion, the pastime ofa minuto. No more." . -y en cuanto a Hamlet y a la insignificancia de su galan-
teo, tomalo por un capricho, pasatiempo de un minuto. Nada
[-L EJ)erla'li/J,~: eterno. Manera de referirse a Dios por medio de tino de sus atributos. ms.
J 5. No)" m.is an, ms bien, mejor dicho.
16. huest: incesto. El matrimonio de una viuda con su cuado se consideraba incesto y estaba pro-
hibido por la Iglesia Catlica y la Protestante.
1,), HAMLET
HAMLET lS

"No more but so?" asks Ofelia, disappointed. I ,,, 111 1 que eso? -pregunta Ofelia, decepcionada. .
"Perhaps he loves you now; but you must fear. His greatnes I ti '1. t \ ama ahora, pero debes desconfiar. Su grandeza

weighs; his will is not his own, for he himself is subject to his 11 v Juntad no es la suya, porque l mismo est atado
,1" \1 a
birth: he may not carve for himself; for on his choice depends the 11 11,11 111\ ic nto: no puede forjarse su destino, porque de su elec-

safety of this whole state. Fear it, Ophelia, my dear sister; and keep 1"" dI P -nde el bienestar de todo este estado. Desconfa,
you out of the danger of desire." I 11,11,1, I" querida hermana, y mantente fuera del peligro del
"This good lesson will be the watchman to my heart." I 111.

Polonius enters the room to hurry Laertes, whose ship is about I(sta buena leccin ser el guardin de mi corazn.
to17 sail. Before he walks out the room; Laertes shouts to her: I'olomo entra en la sala para apremiar a Laertes, cuyo barco est
"Remember! " ,1 I unto de zarpar. Antes de salir de la habitacin, Laertes le grita:
"What is it, Ophelia, he has said to you?" asks her father, very Recuerda! .
curious about it, waving to his son. Qu es, Ofelia,lo que te ha dicho? -Pregunta su padre muy
"Something touching'" lord Harnlet." curioso, despidindose con la mano de su hijo.
"Well bethought. 1 have heard that he has given private time -Algo acerca de Harnlet. .
to you; and you yourselfhave been most free and generous.What -Bien pensado. He escuchado que te ha dedicado tiempo en
is between you? Give me up the truth." privado, y que t misma has estado muy libre y generosa. Qu
"He has made many tenders of his affection to me lately, my II.IY entre ustedes? Decime la verdad.
lord." l me ha dado muchas muestras de su cario ltimamen-
"Affection!You speak like a green girl, in such a perilous cir- le, seor.
cumstance. Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?" -Cario! Hablas como una nia inmadura, en una circunstan-
"1 do not know what 1 should think, my lord. He says he loves cia tan peligrosa. Crees en sus muestras, como t las llamas?
me in an honourable way, with all the holy vows ofheaven." +No s qu debo pensar, seor. Dice que me ama de una for-
"Ow, Ophelia, do not believe his vows. 1 won't say this twice: ma honrada, con todos los sagrados votos del cielo.
1 will not allow you, in plain terms, from this time forth, to talk -Ay, Ofelia!, no creas en susjuramentos. No dir esto dos veces:
to lord Harnlet. Look to19 it." no te permitir, hablando claro, que de aqu en adelante hables
"1 shall obey, my lord." con Hamlet. Recurdalo.
It is almost midnight. Harnlet, Horario, and Marcellus are now -Obedecer, seor.
at the platform. A moment after twelve, the ghost shows itself. Es casi medianoche. Harnlet, Horacio y Marcelo estn ahora
en la explanada. Un momento despus de las doce, el fantasma
17. Yo be abolll lo do somet{illg: estar a punto de hacer algo. se aparece.
18. Yol/c{illg: sobre, acerca de, a propsito. Usado como preposicin introduce un complemento de
terna o argumento.
19. Yo /ook lo somethiug: recordar, tener en cuenta algo..
 16 HAMLET
HAMLET 17

"Angels of grace, defend us!" cries Hamlet, ''1'11 call you Hamlet, "Po 11' ti ' la gracia, defindenos! -grita Hamlet-. Te lla-
King, father, answer me! Tell why your canonized bones have 111111 rey, padre, defindannos! Dime por qu tus hue-
11.11111 'l,
burst their shroud. 20What should we do for you?"
11 \lllls.lgrados han roto su mortaja. Qu hemos de hacer
The Ghost beckons Harnlet to follow it. He realizes that it will
1'111 11 ~ . '
speak with him alone. His friends beg him no to go, but Hamlet I1 1.1I11.1~l11a le hace seas a Hamlet para que lo SIga.El se da
follows it anyway. They resolve to follow Harnlet to protect him. 11I 111.\ ti que hablar con l a solas. Sus amigos le ruegan que
In a more remote part of the castle, the Ghost speaks to 111 .1 .1, pero Hamlet lo sigue de todos modos. Ellos deciden
Hamlet.
I glllI a Hamlet para protegerlo.
"1 arn your father's spirit; doomed for a certain term to walk I\ll una parte ms remota del castillo,el fantasma le habla a Harnlet.
the night, and for the day confined to waste in fires till the sins oy el espritu de tu padre, condenado por cierto tiempo a
done in my life are purged away. But now you will hear a story Vd nr por la noche, y por .el da obligado a consumirme en los
that would freeze your blood. If you ever loved your dear father,
111 'gos hasta que los pecados cometidos en vida sean pur~ados.
revenge his murder."
1I '1'0 ahora escuchars una historia que te helar la sangre. SI algu-
"Murder!"
na vez amaste a tu querido padre, venga su asesinato.
"It is given out that, sleeping in my orchard,21 a serpent stung
-Asesinato! .
me; the whole ofDenmark believes so; but now; the serpent that - e ha divulgado que, durmiendo en mi huerto, una serpIen-
did sting your father wears his crown."
11 m' mordi; toda Dinamarca lo cree as; pero ahora, la ser-
"O my prophetic sou]] My unde!"
1'1('lll' que mordi a tu padre lleva su corona.
"Sleeping within my orchard, my custom always in the after- -Oh, mi alma proftica! Mi to!
noon, your unde did pour a poison in my ear. lt killed me at -Mientras dorma en mi huerto, mi costumbre de siempre
once. Thus 1 was stripped at once, by a brother's hand, of my life, por las tardes, tu to derram veneno en mi odo. Me mat en
of my crown, of my Queen. No reckoning made, he sent me to el acto. As fui yo despojado en un instante, por la mano de un
the eternal court with all my imperfections on my head. But,
lu-rmano, de mi vida, mi corona y mi reina. Sin haber hecho
howsoever you pursue this act, do not let your soul act against 1 oufcsin, me envi al tribunal eterno con todas mis imper-
your mother: leave her to heaven. 1must go now; adieu! Hamlet, 1 i nes sobre mi cabeza. Pero, como sea que lleves adelante
remember me."
'Sl ' acto, no dejes que tu alma acte contra tu madre: djase-
Some minutes later his good friends come to him. They are
In al cielo. Debo irme ya, adis! Hamlet, recurdame.
really concerned about Hamlet. He does not tell them what the
Unos minutos ms tarde llegan sus buenos amigos. Estn real-
ghost said, but makes them swear that they will never speak of it.
mente preocupados por Harnlet. l no les cuenta lo que ha dicho
11 fimtasma, pero les hace jurar que nunca hablarn de l.
20. Shroud; mortaja.
21. Ordiard: huerto, especfica mente el de rboles frutales.
 18 HAMLET
n 11
Polonius finds sweet Ophelia entering her room, filled with dis-
may.22
"How now, Ophelia! What's the matter?"
"Al 23 1
as, my ord, 1 have been so frightened! As 1 was sewing in
my chamber, Hamler carne before me, pale as his shirt, very much
slovenly, and with such a piteous look!"
"Mad for your love?"
"My lord, 1 do not know; but truly 1 do fear it,",
"What did he say?"
"He took me by the wrist, and held me hard, staring at me.
Long he stayed so and at last, he let me go, and lefi the room sta-
ring at nowhere."
"Come with me: 1will go to see the King. This is the very ecs-
tasy oflove. Have you given him any hard words oflate?"
"N o, my good lord; but, as you did command, 1 did repel his
letters and denied his access to me."
"That has made him mad. Come, this must be known."
In the main room in the castle, the King and the Queen recei-
ve Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
"Welcome! We have sent for you for we need your assistance
very mucho 1 entreat you both, being brought up with Hamlet
of so young days, that you rest here in our court for some time
and gather what afflicts him thus."
"Good gentlemen, he has much talked of you, 1 am sure he
esteerns you both very mucho If it will please you to show us so
much gentry and good-will, please, stay,"says the Queen.
They both accept to please their Majesties, and a servant leads
them to their rooms.Just then Polonius enters, and speaks to the
King:
22. Filled wirh dismay: llena de consternacin.
23. Alas: Interjeccin usada para expresar tristeza o consternacin.
HAMLET 19
1', tll '1110 encuentra a la dulce Ofelia entrando en su habitacin
tOt.d'll -nte consternada.
Y ahora qu, Ofelia? Qu pasa?
lA ~l'il r, he tenido tanto miedo! Mientras estaba cosiendo
11 1111 (.imara, HamIet se me apareci plido como su camisa,
11111 .lcsaliado.ry con un aspecto tan penoso!
l.oco por tu amor?
Mi seor, no lo s, pero verdaderamente temo que si.
Qu te dijo? \
Me tom de la mueca y me sujet con fuerza, mirndome
Iq,lIl1cnte.Estuvo as largo rato y, al fin, me solt, y sali de la habi-
tacin con la mirada perdida en la nada.
-Ven comnigo. Ir a ver al rey.Esto es puro xtasis de amor. Le
has hablado con dureza estos ltimos das?
-No, mi buen seor, pero hice como me orden, rechac sus
I ,11 tn, y le negu sus visitas.
I~s lo ha enloquecido.Venga, esto tiene que saberse.
En una sala principal del castillo, el rey y la reina reciben a
Rosencrantz y Guildenstern.
-Bienvenidos! Los mandamos llamar porque necesitamos
muchsimo su ayuda. Les ruego a ambos, porque desde tan
pequeos se han criado con HamIet, que se queden un tiem-
po aqu, en nuestra corte, y averiguen qu lo aflige de esta
manera.
-Gentiles caballeros, l ha hablado mucho de ustedes, estoy
segura de que los estima muchsimo. Si a ustedes les place demos-
lrarnos su gentileza y buena voluntad, por favor, qudense -Ies
ti U la Reina.
Ambos aceptan complacer a sus majestades, y un sirviente los
iua a sus aposentos. Justo entonces Polonio entra y le habla al
Hoy:
 20 HAMLET
"1 believe, my lord, 1 have found the very cause/" of Hamlet's
lunacy."
"O, speak of that. Have you heard so, my dear Queen?"
"1 doubt it is no other but his father's death and our overhasty
marriage," says Gertrude.
At this moment Voltimand and Cornelius come back fram
Norway.Their labour was successful.The King congratulates them
and invites them to a feast.
"This business is well ended. 1 am glad, my lord," says Polonius
after their leave. "My liege,25 and madam, 1 will be brief your
noble son is mad ... 1 have a daughter who, in her duty and obe-
dience has given me this."
The Lord Chamberlain shows a letter, and reads it: 'To the celes-
tial, and my soul's idol, the most beautiful Ophelia, doubt the stars
are fire; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt 1 love you. O
dear Ophelia, 1 love you, believe it.Yours evermore, Hamlet.'
"But how has she received his love?" asks the King.
"1 am a faithful and honourable man.As 1perceived it, before
my daughter told me, 1spoke thus to her: 'Lord Hamlet is a prince,
out of your sphere; this must not be.' And then 1gave her pre-
cepts. She took the fruits of my advice; and he, rejected, fell into
a sadness."
Claudius and Polonius make a plan to test it, for the King do es
not actually believe this to be the reason of Harnlet's madness.
They will hide to observe Ophelia and Hamlet while together.
But now they must be quiet, for the Prince walks in reading.
"How is my good Hamlet?" asks his mother.
"Well."
"Do you know me, my lord?" inquires Polonius.
24. !-by callse: La verdadera causa. Intensifica el sentido del sustantivo al que precede ..
25. Uege: seor feudal. De uso arcaico.
HANlLET ') 1
( ICO, mi seor, que he hallado la verdadera causa de la locu-
II dt' Hamlet.
Oh, dnoslo. Has odo, mi querida reina?
Dudo que sea otra cosa que la muerte de su padre y nuestra
''1m:surada boda -dice Gertrudis.
1~1lese momentoVoltimand y Cornelio regresan de Noruega.
"" 1 tarea fue un xito. El rey los felicita y los invita a un festn.
-La empresa ha tenido buen fin. Me alegra, mi seor -dice
Polonia tras su partida-o Mi seor y seora, ser breve: su noble
hijo est loco ... Tengo una hija, quien en su deber y obediencia
lile ha dado esto.
El primer chambeln les muestra una carta y la lee: A la
celestial, e dolo de mi alma, la ms hermosa Oelia, duda que
las estrellas sean fuego, duda que la verdad sea mentira, pero
nunca dudes que te amo. Oh, querida Ofelia, yo te amo, cree-
lo.Tuyo por siempre, Harnlet.
-Pero crno ha recibido ella su amor? -pregunta el rey.
Soy un hombre leal y honrado. En cuanto lo not, antes de
ljue mi hija me lo contase, habl as con ella: Hamlet es un prn-
cipe, fuera de tu esfera, esto no puede sers.Y luego le di indic~~
ciones. Ella tom en cuenta mi consejo, y l, rechazado, se SUII1l0
vn la tristeza.
Claudio y Polonia elaboran un plan para comprobarlo, por-
'I"l' el rey no cree realmente que sta sea la razn de la locura.
"l'l Iamlet. Ellos se ocultarn para observar a Ofelia y Hamlet
nucntras estn juntos. Pero ahora deben callar, porque el prnci-
pe entra leyendo.
Cmo est mi buen Hamlet? -le pregunta su madre.
Bien.
Me conoces, mi seor? -pregunta Polonia.
 22 HAMLET HAMLET 23

"Of course, you're a fishmonger." Harnlet goes on with hi
game. He senses they were speaking of him.
"Not 1, my lord."
" "Have you a daughter?"
" "1 have, my lord," he answers, and then he whispers to the King:
H~w say you by that? Harping on my daughter. 1'11 speak to
agam. What do you read, my lord?"
"Words, words, words."
"What is the matter, my lord?"
"Slanders, sir."
"Th.oug h26 t hi s lS
. madness, yet there is a method in it," thinks
Poloruus. Then he asks perrnission to leave.
"Tedious old fools!" says Harnlet when he is gone. Then he sees
~osencrantz and Guildenstern coming in, and welcomes them.
My excellent friends! How are you? What's the news? What
have you done, good lads, that fortune sends you to prison here?';
"Prison, my lord?" replies Guildenstern. . "1" ?
"Denrnark's a prison."
"We do not think so, my lord," adds Rosencrantz.
"It is not to you, to me it is a prison. Shall we go for a walk? I
cannot reason."
"We'll walk with you."
"But, for our friendship, what brings you to Elsinore?"
"To visit you, my lord; no other occasion."
"1 thank you, but, were you not sent for? Is it a free visitation?
Come, deal justly with me, speak."
"What should we say,my lord?" says Guildenstern, looking at
Rosencrantz suspiciously.
"Anything. There is a kind of confession in your looks. I know
the good King and Queen have sent for you."
26. 77lOlIgh ... ye/: a pesar de ... aun as. Coordinacin adversativa.
lIt I fcctamente bien, eres un pescadero. +Hamlet sigue con su
,'h'~. Presiente que estaban hablando de l.
Yo no, mi seor.
-Tienes una hija?
, i, mi seor -le contesta, y luego le susurra al rey-: Qu decs
1/, esto? Insistiendo con mi hija. Le hablar de nuevo. Qu lees,
1111 s .or?
Palabras, palabras, palabras.
De qu tratan, mi seor?
alumnias, seor.
A pesar de que esto es locura, aun as tiene lgica, piensa
1'111 inio. Pide entonces permiso para irse.
Tediosos viejos tontos! -dice Harnlet cuando se ha ido. Luego
v ' a Rosencrantz y Guildenstern llegar y les da la bienvenida-o
Mis excelentes amigos! Cmo estn? Qu noticias traen? Qu
11;111 hecho, buenos muchachos, que la fortuna los enva a prisin
Prisin, mi seor? -contesta Guildenstern.
I inamarca es una prisin.
No lo creemos as, mi seor -agrega Rosencrantz.
+No lo es para ustedes, para m es una prisin. Vamos a dar un
I .IS 'o? No puedo razonar.
,aminaremos contigo.
P -ro, por nuestra amistad, qu los trae a Elsinor?
Visitada, mi seor, ningn otro motivo.
.. I agradezco, pero no fueron llamados? Es una visita
olnntariarVamos, sean honestos conmigo, hablen.
u debemos decide, mi seor? -dice Guildenstern miran-
do lRosencrantz con recelo.
L que sea. Hay una suerte de confesin en sus miradas. S
qll' 1 buen rey y la reina los han llamado.

24 HAMLET
"To what end, my lord?" asks Rosencrantz.
"That you must teach me, by the rights of our fellowship, b
the obligation of our ever-preserved love."
They look at each other in a frantic way and do not know wha
to do.
/
"1 have an eye on you,"27 tells them the Prince.
"My lord, we were sent for." says Guildenstern at last.
"1 will tell you why," says Hamlet, "so your secrecy to the Kin
and Queen is not broken by you. 1 have oflate lost a11my mirth
forgone a11custom of exercises."
"Sir, the players of the city are coming, those you like so much
the tragedians ofWittenberg. That will cheer you up."
The trumpets sound, announcing the players.
"Gentlemen," says Hamlet to his friends, looking happy for th
first time since his father's death, "you are welcome to Elsinore.
But let me tell you something: my uncle-father and aunt-mother
are being deceived. 1 am not as mad as everyone believes."
"My lord, 1 have news to tell you," cries out Polonius as he
rushes into the room. "The actors are coming, the best actors in
the world, either for tragedy, comedy, history, pastorals, or poetry."
Just then five actors come into the room. He knows them well
from school. . Justo entonces cinco actores entran en la habitacin. Ellos cono-
"You are welcome, masters; 1 am glad to see you well," then,
addressing Polnius again, he asks, "My good lord, will you see
the players well bestowed? Take them in."
Polonius takes thema11 with him, but the Prince asks the first
player to stay.
"Can you play 'The Murder of Gonzago' tomorrow
asks him once they are alone.
"Ay, my lord."
27. To have a" eye O" sOlllebody: estar observando a alguien. Expresin idiomtica.
HAMLET 25
( II1I qu fin, mi seor? -pregunta Rosencrantz. .
I\M) deben decrmelo ustees, por los derechos de nuestra amis-
LId, por la obligacin de nuestro ininterrumpidoafecto.
Hilos e miran el uno al otro de una manera desesperada y no
,\\11 1\ qu hacer.
I \)~ stoy observando -Ies dice el prncipe.
M j seor, fuimos llamados -dice al fin Guildenstern.
Yo les dir por qu =dice Harnlet-.As no revelarn su secre-
(1) con el rey y la reina. He perdido ltimamente toda mi ale-
1\ ia, he abandonado todos mis hbitos de ejercicio.
S .or, los actores de la ciudad estn llegando, aquellos que tan-
(1 I k agradan, los actores de Wittenberg. Eso lo alegrar.
Las trompetas suenan anunciando a los actores. .
-Caballeros -dice Hamlet a sus amigos, con aspecto fehz por
primera vez desde la muerte de su padre-, son bienvenidos, a
I\Isinor.Pero djenme decirles algo: mi to-padre y ta-madre estan
u-ndo engaados. No estoy tan loco como todos piensan.
Mi seor, tengo noticias que contarle -grita Polonia mien-
entra corriendo en la sala-o Los actores estn viniendo, los
(I,IS
mejores actores del mundo, ya sea para tragedia, comedia, histo-
ria, pastorales o poesa. ,
l' , bien de la escuela.
-Son bienvenidos, maestros, me alegra verlos bien. -Lueg<?,diri-
gindose a Polonio de nuevo, le pide -Mi buen Seor, cuidars
que estos actores sean bien atendidos? Uvalos dentro.
P~lonio los lleva a todos con l, pero el prncipe le pide al actor
night?" principal que se quede. \ .
-Pueden representar maana por la noche El asesinato de
Conzago? -le pregunta una vez que estn solos.
-S, seor.
26 HAMLET
Then, Harnlet asks if they could study a speech of some dozer
lines, which he would set down/" and insert in the play.The acto 1111 I
answers they would.
Now Harnlet is all alone again. He feels miserable, and full o
sorrow, but also full of anger. He desires so much to avenge the 11'
death of his father. He'll have these actors play something like
the murder ofhis father before his unde. He'll observe his looks,
and he'll catch the conscience of the King.
111
Harnlet is walking along the corridor of the castle, when he finds
Ofelia, ordered by her father, walking around with a book that
she is not even reading. The King and Polonius are hidden dose
by so they can see them and hear them talking.
"To be, or not to be, that is the question: whether it is nobler
to suffer the arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against
a sea of troubles. To die, to sleep, no more ..." he quietens down
when he sees her, "Oh! The fair Ophelia! Nymph, remember all
my sins in your prayers."
"Good my lord, how do you do this day?" asks Ophlelia sweetly.
"1 humbly thank you; well, well."
"My lord, 1 have remembrances of yours that 1 wish to rede-
liver. 1 pray you, now receive them."
"1 did love you once."
"Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so."
"You should not have believed me. 1 loved you not."
"1 was the more deceived."
"Get you to a nunnery: why should you be a breeder of sin-
ners? 1 am honest; but yet 1 could accuse me of other things:
28. To set down: escribir algo ~obre papel.
HAMLET 27
I IIltlllll .Llnmlct pregunta si podran estudiar un discurso de
1 h 11 (' I t1 'as, que l escribira e insertara en la obra. El actor
,111 1 qu I harn. .'
111 11.\ L lamlet est solo de nuevo. Se siente desdichado y lle-
h \ri:teza, pero tambin lleno de rabia. Desea tanto vengar la
1
1111 \1 i\ 1 de su padre. Har que estos actores escenifiquen algo ~are-
, 1,1 ,ti ;lsesinato de su padre delante de su to, l observara sus
111I1.lIlaS y escudriar la conciencia del rey.
III
I 1.II111et
atraviesa el corredor del castillo,cuando encuentra a Ofeli~
'I1I ,siguiendo rdenes de su padre, se pasea con ~n libro que ID
j luiera est leyendo. El rey y Polonio estn escondidos cerca para
I oder as verlos y escuchados hablar. ..
-Ser o no ser, sa es la pregunta: si es ms noble sufnr las fle-
1 has de la atroz fortuna, o .armarse contra un mar de proble-
III:\S.Morir, dormir, no ms ... -l calla cuando la ve-o Oh! La
h .rrnosa Ofelia! Ninfa, recuerda todos mis pecados en tus ora-
iones. Of li
-Mi buen seor, cmo est hoy? -pregunta dulcemente e a.
-Te lo agradezco humildemente, bien, bien.
-Mi seor, tengo recuerdos suyos que deseo devolvede. Le ru,e-
1'0 recbalos ahora.
l'
-Te am una vez.
De hecho, mi seor, me hiciste creedo.
-No debiste haberme credo. No te am.
-Fui la ms engaada.
Vete a un convento: por qu deberas ser madre de pecado-
11 s? Soy honesto, pero an as puedo acusarme de otras cosas:
 le) HAMlET
HAMLET 29

1 arn very proud, revengeful, ambitious. We are a11knave
Believe none of us. Where's your father?"
"At horne, my lord."
"Good, shut the doors, that he may play the fool nowhere bu
in his own house. Farewell."
"O, help him, God!" prays Ophelia with tears in her eyes.
"God has given you one face, and you rnake yourselves another, -Dios les ha dado una cara y ustedes inventan otra, mujeres.
women. It has made me mad. 1 say,we will have no more 111ar- 1\50 me ha vuelto loco.Yo digo, no habr ms matrimonios en
riages in Denmark. To a nunnery, go!"
Dinamarca. A un convento, vete!
Ophelia cries bitterly, she is vely much upset and broken-heart- Ofelia llora amargamente, est muy afectada y con el corazn
ed. Her love and everything that once was good in him are now 1\ .strozado. Su amor y todo lo que alguna vez fue bueno en l ya
lost. The King and Polonius show up again, when Hamlet is al-
ready gone. Though Polonius foolisWy insists Ofelia 1S the cause
of his insanity the King is very concerned, for he thinks that
something dangerous is growing in H~mlet's heart, and he fears.
"Love! It has nothing to do with love. There is something else
in his rnind and souI. 1 shalJ be very careful. Madness in great ones
must be watched," he thinks.
Before the play begins, Hamlet asks his loyal fi'iend Horacio to
observe his uncIe carefully during the play. They are all rakinz
their seats now. D
"Come here, my dear Hamlet, sit by me," says the Queen.
"No, good mother, here's someone more attractive," replies
Hamlet g0ll1g toward Ophelia.
"O'. do you mar k t 1lato;:>" w hi . to the King.
'uspcrs Polonius
The trumpets sound. The dumb ShOW29 begins. A King and a
Queen entero He lays down upon S0111eflowers; she, seeing hirn
asleep,leaves him.Anon30 a fellow comes in, takes offhis crown
pours poison in the King's ear, and leaves. The Queen returns:
29. Dl//:'u sluni; porte muda de lo obro que se dranutizaba al conuenzo, a modo de resumen, para que
los t:spcnadort"~ conocieran su argumento.
30. Al/oII: sin tardanza.rsin demora. De uso literario.
11 IllUyorgulloso, vengativo, ambicioso. Todos somos unos bella-
.
I 1 )~; todos, no nos creas a nmguno. D'on de esta' tu pa dr e.?
-En casa, mi seor.
-Bien, cierra las puertas, para que haga el tonto slo en su pro-
1'1,1 casa.Adis. .
Oh, aydalo, Dios! -suplica Ofelia con lgrimas en los OJos.
110 existen. El rey y Polonio aparecen de nuevo, cuando Hamlet
ya se ha ido. Aunque Polonio tontamente insiste en que Ofelia
es la causa de su locura, el rey est muy preocupado, pues cree
que algo peligroso est creciendo en el corazn de Hamlet, y tie-
u miedo.
Amor! No tiene nada que ver con el amor. Hay algo ms en
'u mente y en su alma. Ser muy cuidadoso. La locura en los gran-
les debe ser vigiladas.piensa.
Antes de que comience la obra, Hamlet le pide a su leal ami-
o Horacio que observe cuidadosamente a su to durante la fun-
cin.Ahora todos estn ocupando sus lugares.
-Ven aqu, mi querido Harnlet, sintate conmigo -dice la reina.
-No, buena madre, aqu hay alguien ms atractivo -contesta
Ilarnlet dirigindose hacia Ofelia.
-Oh! te has fijado en eso? -susurra Polonio al rey.
Suenan las trompetas. La parte muda de la obra comienza. Un
I y Y una reina entran. l se recuesta sobre unas flores; ella, vin-
ti lo dormido, lo deja. Sin demora un hombre entra, le quita su
I rona, derrama veneno en la oreja del rey y se va. La reina regresa,
 HAMLET 31
30 HAMLET

finds the King dead, and makes passionate action. The Poisone , 11111 .ntra al rey muerto, y reacciona apasionadamente. El enve-
and three Mutes come in again, seeming to lament with her. The IU'"ndor y tres actores mudos regresan, fingiendo lamentarse ~on
dead body is carried away.The Poisoner wooes the Queen with I lIa. El cuerpo sin vida es transportado. El envenenador corteja a
gifi:s;she seems loath awhile, but in the end accepts his love. The l., 1 .ina con regalos; ella parece resistirse un tiempo, pero al final
the actors leave the stage. \1 epta su amor. Entonces los actores abandonan la escena.

"What means this, my lord?" asks Ophelia to Harnlet. Qu significa esto, mi seor? -pregunta Ofelia a Harnlet.
"Mischief." -Maldad.
The King rises. Harnlet watches carefully. No one understands -1 rey se levanta. Harnlet observa cuidadosamente. Nadie entien-
what is going on. ti ' lo que est ocurriendo.
"What is the matter, my lord?" asks the Queen. -Cul es el problema, mi seor? -pregunta la reina.
"Give me some Iightl " Away!" cries the King. -Dnme luz! Fuera! -grita el rey.
"Give over the play" orders Polonius. -Que termine la funcin! -ordena Polonio.
Everybody leaves the room but Harnlet and Horatio. Todos abandonan la sala menos Hamlet y Horacio.
"O good Horario] Did you perceive it?" -Oh, buen Horacio! Lo has percibido?
"Very well, my lord." -Muy bien, mi seor.
"Upon the talk of the poisoning?" -Al mencionarse el veneno?
"1 did very well note him." -Lo he notado muy bien.
"Ah!" cries Hamlet happily when Rosencrantz and Guil- -Ah! -grita Harnlet con felicidad justo cuando entran Rosen- .
denstern entero I rantz y Guildenstern.
"My good lord, vouchsafe me a word with you," says one of -Mi buen seor, concdanme una palabra con vos -dice uno
them. ti' ellos.
"Sir, a whole history," the Prince making fun of them. -Seor, toda una historia -contesta el prncipe burlndose de
"The King, sir, is in his retirement, completely distempered," -llcs.
says the other. El rey, seor, est en sus aposentos, completamente alterado
"With drink, sir?" replies Harnlet again ironically. dice el otro.
"No, my lord; rather with choler. The Queen, your mother, Por la bebida? -responde Harnlet de nuevo irnicamente.
is in great affliction. She desires to speak with you in her No, mi seor, ms bien por la clera. La reina, su madre, est
closet." IlIlIy afligida. Ella quiere hablar con vos en su alcoba.
"1 shall obey. But now, leave me all. 1 need to be alone." bedecer. Pero ahora djenme todos. Necesito estar solo.
They do so, and he speaks to himself 11. 1\os lo dejan, y l habla consigo mismo:

31 . Gille lile 50llle I(~"t: El rey pide que se enciendan las antorchas, que eran la nica iluminacin.
 32 HAMLET
"O heart, do not lose your nature; do not let ever the soul
of Nero+' enter this firm bosom. Let me be cruel, but not un-
natural."
In his room, the King speaks to Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern.
He is sending Harnlet to England, and these two friends are to
accompany the Prince.
During the conversation, Polonius arrives to let the King know
that HamIet is about to taIk to his mother:
"My lord, he's going to his mother's closet. 1'11hide myself
behind the tapestry to hear the process. Ere33 you go to bed, my
lord, 1'11tell you what 1 know"
Claudius thanks him, and they all waIk out of the room,leav-
ing the King alone. He is frightened. He falls on his knees, and
tries to pray, but he cannot. He knows his soul is too corrupted.
"O, my offence is rank,34 a brother's murder! 1 can not pray.
What then rests whenone cannot repent? O wretched state! O
bosom black as death!"
HamIet has entered his room and finds him on his knees. He
draws his sword to kill him, but then resolves not to do it; for, if
the King is praying, he may go to heaven, and he wants him in
hell. So he walks out to visit his mother.
In the Queen's room, she is speaking to Polonius, when they
hear the Prince's steps nearby.
"Quickly, withdraw; 1 hear him coming", she says.
Polonius goes behind the tapestry and HamIet waIks in.
"Now, mother, whats the matter?"
"Harnlet, you have your father much offended,"
"Mother, you have my father much offended."
32. Nero o Nern: emperador romano que mand matar a su madre,Agripina.
33. Ere: antes. De uso arcaico o potico, equivalente al actual before.
34. ROl/k: ftido, repugnante.
HAMLET 33
-Oh, corazn!, no pierdas tu naturaleza, no dejes nunca que el
alma de Nern entre en este firme pecho. Djame ser cruel, pero
no antinatural.
En su habitacin el rey habla con Rosencrantz y Guildenstern.
Va a enviar a Hamlet a Inglaterra y estos dos amigos acompaa-
rn al prncipe.
Durante la conversacin llega Polonio para hacerle saber al rey
que HamIet est a punto de hablar con su madre:
-Mi seor, est yendo a la habitacin de su madre. Me oculta-
r detrs del tapiz para escuchar lo que ocurre. Antes de que se
acueste, mi seor, le contar lo que sepa.
Claudio le da las gracias, y todos salen de la habitacin, dejan-
do al rey solo. Est aterrado. Cae de rodillas, y trata de orar, pero
no puede, sabe que su alma est demasiado corrompida.
-Oh, mi ofensa es repugnante; el asesinato de un hermano!
No puedo orar. Qu resta entonces, cuando uno no puede
arrepentirse? Oh, infeliz estado! Oh, corazn negro como la
muerte!
HamIet ha entrado en la habitacin y lo ve de rodillas. Empua
su espada para matado, pero luego decide no hacerlo, porque si
el rey est rezando, podra ir al cielo, y l lo quiere en el infierno.
As que sale a ver a su madre.
En la habitacin de la reina, ella est hablando con Polonio,
cuando escuchan los pasos del prncipe cerca.
+Rpido, esconde te, lo escucho venir -dice ella.
Polonio se pone detrs del tapiz y Harnlet entra.
-Ahora, madre, qu es lo que ocurre?
+Hamlet, has ofendido mucho a tu padre.
+Madre, t has ofendido mucho a mi padre.
 34 HAMLET
"Why? Hamlet! Have you forgotten who I am?"
"No.You are the Queen, yourhusband's brother's wife, and I
wish you were not so, you are my mother. I will set up a glass35
where you may see the inmost part of you," he says,and takes her
tightly by her armo
"What will you do?You will not murder me? Help!" yells
Gertrude, very disturbed.
Polonius, trying to go out to he1p the Queen, moves behind
the tapestry hanging on the wall; but Hamlet sees the movenent,
and drawing his sword, kills the man, shouting:
"How now? A rat? Dead, dead!"
That's when he hears the voice behind the tapestry crying out,
"O, I am slain!"36
The man falls dead. The Queen screams, terrified, showing the
body ofPolonius to his son:
"O, what have you done? A crime!You have killed aman!"
"Almost as bad, good mother, as killing a king and marrying .
his brother," and then he speaks to Polonius: "Farewell, you,
wretched! You find to be too curious is some danger," he again
talks to his mother in the most violent way, full of anger, "And
you, mother, how could you do this offense to my father? Can
not you see? A murderer and a villain that is not the twentieth
part of your precedent husband ..."
"What have I done, that you dare speak to me so rude?These
words enter in my ears like daggers; no more, sweet Harnlet."
The Ghost appears in the room, but Gertrude can not see it.
"What is that you want?" ask Harnlet.
"O, Harnlet, my son, you are mad!" says the Queen, crying
inconsolably.
35. G/a55: cristal. En este caso espejo.
36. Slain: asesinado. Participio del verbo to 5lay, asesinar. De uso literario.
HAMLET 35
-Por qu? [Hamletl Has olvidado quin soy?
+No. Eres la reina, la esposa del hermano de tu esposo y, oja-
l no lo fueras, eres mi madre. Te colocar un espejo donde
puedas ver tu parte ms ntima -dice, y la toma fuertemente
del brazo.
-Qu vas a hacer? No irs a matarme? Auxilio! -grita
Gertrudis muy alterada.
Polonio, tratando de salir para ayudar a la reina, se mueve detrs
del tapiz que cuelga de la pared; Hamlet ve el movimiento y blan-
diendo su espada, mata al hombre gritando:
-Ahora qu? Una rata? Muere, muere!
Es entonces cuando escucha la voz detrs del tapiz gritando:
Oh, me han asesinado!.
El hombre cae muerto. La reina grita aterrorizada, mostrando
el cuerpo de Polonio a su hijo:
-Oh! Qu has hecho? Un crimen! Has matado a un hombre!
-Casi tan malo, buena madre, como matar a un rey y casarse
'con su hermano -y ahora se dirige a Polonio-:T, infeliz,adis!
Aprende que ser demasiado curioso es un poco peligroso. -De
nuevo habla a su madre, de la manera ms violenta, lleno de rabia-:
y t, madre, cmo has podido cometer esta ofensa contra mi
padre? No lo puedes ver? Un asesino y un villano, que no es ni
la vigsima parte de tu anterior esposo ...
-Qu he hecho yo para que te atrevas a hablarme de forma
tan ruda? Estas palabras entran en mis odos como dagas; no sigas,
amable Harnlet.
El fantasma se aparece en la habitacin, pero Gertrudis no lo
puede ver.
- -Qu es lo que quieres? -le dice Hamlet.
-Oh, Hamlet, hijo mo, estsloco! +dice la reina llorando incon-
solablemente.
36 HAMLET
"Do not forget your purpose, but, look at your mother, she is
fighting for her soul. Speak to her, Hamlet," says the Ghost.
"How is it with you, Lady?" asks Hamlet. I
"O my son, where do you look? To whom do youspeak?"
"To him, to him! Look how pale he is!"
"1 do not see anybody but ourselves."
"Look there! Look how it fades away! My father, in his habit,
as he lived!" he answers as the ghost ofhis father vanishes.
"This is not but a creation of your delirium."
"Delirium! It is not madness what 1 have uttered.V Confess
yourself to heaven; repent what's past; avoid what is to come. Do
not go to my uncle's bed. For this lord, Polonius, 1 do repent; 1
will answer for the death 1 gave him. One word more, good lady:
do not ever tell the King that 1 pretend my madness, could you
do this for me?"
"Be assured, 1 will."
"1 must go to England; you know that?"
"It is so concluded on."
"There is a letter sealed, and my two schoolfellows bear a man-
date. But let it happen. Good night, mother." And Hamlet, drag-
ging Polonius out,leaves the room.
IV
The Queen looks worried and concerned. Claudius comes into
her room, and she tells him that Hamlet is absolutely mad and
that he has killed Polonius by accident. The King's soul is full of
guilt, and dismay; but also full of fear. The situation has become
too dangerous for him. He wants Hamlet out ofhis way at once.
37. To utter: decir, pronunciar, proclamar.
HAMLET 37
-No te olvides de tu propsito, pero mira a tu madre, est
luchando por su alma. Habla con ella, Hamlet -dice el fantasma.
-Qu es lo que te pasa, mi seora? -pregunta Hamlet.
-Oh, hijo mo, hacia dnde miras? Con quin hablas?
-Con l, con l! Mira cun plido est!
-No veo a nadie ms que a nosotros.
-Mira all! Mira cmo se desvanece! Mi padre, con su atuen-
do, como cuando viva! -contesta mientras el fantasma de su padre
desaparece.
+Esto no es ms que una creacin de tu delirio.
-D~lirio! No es una locura lo que he dicho. Confisate al cie-
lo, arrepintete de 10 que ha pasado, evita 10 que est por venir.
No vayas a la cama de mi to. Por este caballero, Polonia, me arre-
piento; responder por la muerte que le di. Una palabra ms, bue-
na seora: nunca le digas al rey que yo finjo mi locura, podras
hacer esto por mi?
-Estte seguro, lo har.
-Debo irme a Inglaterra, lo sabas?
-As se ha decidido.
-Hay una carta sellada, y mis dos compaeros de estudio llevan
un mandato. Pero dejemos que ocurra as. Buenas noches, madre.
-y Hamlet, arrastrando fuera a Polonia, deja la habitacin.
IV
La reina parece seria y preocupada. Claudio entra en su habita-
cin y ella le cuenta que Hamlet est absolutamente loco y que
ha matado a Polonia por accidente. El alma del rey est llena de
culpa y consternacin, pero tambin de miedo. La situacin se
ha tornado demasiado peligrosa 'Para l. Quiere a Hamlet fuera
de su camino de una vez.
 38 HAMLET
The King sends for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to look
for Harnlet and to take Polonius' body into the chapel. When
these two find Hamlet, he sends them away with no infor-
mation of Polonius' body, and letting them know that he
has noticed they are spies of the King. Thus they return to
inform Claudius so. He gets terribly nervous and screams to
them:
"Bring him before me, now!"
Once Harnlet is in, the King asks:
"Now, Harnlet, wheres Polonius?"
"In heaven. Send there to see. If your messenger finds him not
there, within this month, you shall nose'" him as you go up the
stairs into the lobby."
"Go seek hirn,' orders the King to some attendants.P?
"Hamlet, for that which you have done,I must send you hence'"
with quickness: therefore prepare yourself; the boat is ready for
England," orders the King, sitting next to the Queen.
"Good. Farewell, dear mother," says he, and leaves, not giving
a look at the King.
The King orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to follow
HarnIet at foot; and nat to delay their departure. They do not
know that they are carrying a letter fiorn the King requesting the
death of HarnIet from England.
Meanwhile, Fortinbras and his army are asking permission to
march across Denmark on their way to Poland.
Later on, in a room at the palace, the Queen and Horatio talk:
"1 will not speak with Ophelia."
38. To nose: olfatear, husmear. Aqu Hamlet lo usa irnicamente
dentro de un mes.
39. Auendants: miembros del squito de la realeza.
40. Hence: fuera, afuera. En otros contextos, de aqu en adelante, por lo tanto ...
HAMLET 39
El rey manda a llamar a Rosencrantz y Guildenstern para que
busquen a Harnlet y lleven el, cuerpo de Polonio a la capilla.
Cuando estos dos encuentran a Harnlet, l los eriva de vuelta
sin informacin sobre el cuerpo de Polonio, y hacindoles saber
que l ya se ha dado cuenta de que ellos son espas del rey. As
que regresan para informarle de esto a Claudio. ste se pone
terriblemente nervioso y les grita:
-Triganlo ante m, ahora!
Una vez que Harnlet llega, el rey pregunta:
-y bien, Harnlet, dnde est Polonio?
-En el cielo. Manda a ver all, si tu mensajero no le encuentra,
dentro de un mes, lo oleris cuando subis las escaleras en el ves-
tbulo.
-Vayan a buscarlo -ordena el rey a unos cortesanos.
_Hamlet, por lo que has hecho, debo enviar te fu~ra con rapi-
dez: por tanto preprate; el barco est listo para Inglaterra
-ordena el rey, sentndose junto a la reina.
-Bien. Adis, querida madre -dice y sale, sin mirar al rey.
El rey ordena a Rosencrantz y Guildenstern vigilar de cerca a
Harnlet y no demorar su partida. Ellos no saben que estn lle-
vando una carta al rey a Inglaterra solicitando la muerte de
Harnlet.
Mientras tanto, Fortimbrs y su ejrcito piden permiso
para marchar a travs de Dinamarca, en su camino hacia
Polonia.
Ms tarde, en una habitacin del palacio, la reina y Horacio
hablan:
+No hablar con Ofelia.
por el olor que despedir el cadver
J
 40 HAMLET
"She is importunate." my lady. Indeed she is distracted, you
would pity her. She speaks much ofher father; says she hears there
are tricks in the world. It would be good if you spoke to her."
"Let her come in."
.Horario comes back with Ophelia, who says:
"Where is the beautiful majesty ofDenmark?"
"How do you do, Ophelia?"
But Ophelia does not speak, but sings very obscure songs. The
King comes in and Gertrude, very much upset, shows him the
girl, md he asks:
"How do you do, pretty lady?"
But she keeps singing:
"Tomorrow is Saint Valenrine's day
and in the morning bedtime,
1,a maid at your window,
Will be your Valentine,"
"Pretty Ophelia! How long has she been thus?" asks the Queen,
sadly.
The King orders Horario to follow her close and give her good
watch. Suddenly, they hear a noise outside, and a messenger comes
. .
ID screarrung:
"Save yourself, my lord.There's a big riot.Young Laertes, over-
bears your officers.The rabble calls him lord, and cries out'Laertes
shall be king!"
Ophelia's brother, Laertes, had come in secret from France. The
doors break open , and the young man, armed, enters like a fury,
followed by Danes.
"Where is the King? Sirs, stand you all out.TThey retire. "Keep
the door. O, you vile King, give me my father!"
"Calmly, good Laertes," says the Queen.
41. lmpottunaie: persistente, demandante.
HAMLET 41
-Ella insiste, mi seora. De hecho est perturbada, se compa-
decera de ella. Habla mucho de su padre, dice que escucha que
hay trampas en el mundo. Sera bueno que hablara con ella.
-Hazla pasar.
Horacio regresa con Ofelia, quien dice:
-Dnde est la hermosa majestad de Dinamarca?
-Cmo ests, Ofelia?
Pero Ofelia no habla, sino que canta canciones muy extraas.
El rey entra y Gertrudis, muy consternada, le muestra a la mucha-
cha, y l le pregunta:
-Cmo ests, hermosa dama?
Pero ella contina cantando:
Maana es el da de San Valentn,
y temprano en el amanecer
yo, una dama en tu ventana,
ser tu Valentn.
-Hermosa Ofelia! Hace cunto que est as? -pregunta la rei-
na con tristeza.
El rey ordena a Horacio seguida de cerca y vigilada bien.
De repente, escuchan un ruido fuera y un mensajero entra gri-
tando:
-Slvese, mi seor. Hay un gran disturbio. Laertes domina a
sus oficiales. La plebe lo llama seor y grita: [Laertes debe ser
rey!.
El hermano de Ofelia, Laertes, haba llegado en secreto de
Francia. Se abren las puertas y el joven, armado, entra como una
furia, seguido por daneses.
-Dnde est el rey? Seores, qudense todos fuera. -Se reti-
ran-.Vigilen la puerta. Oh, vos, vil rey, entrgame a mi padre!
-Calma, buen Laertes -dice la reina.
4? HAMLET
HAMLET 43

"Where is my father?" he cries.

-Dnde est mi padre? -grita l.
"Dead. But not by him," replies she again.
-Muerto. Pero no por l-responde ella de nuevo.
There are voices out that cry "Let her come in!" and sweet
Hay voces fuera que gritan Djenla entrad, y la dulce Ofelia,
Ophelia, fantastically dressed with straws and flowers, enters
vestida fantsticamente con paja y flores, entra en la habitacin,
the room, singing as always since her father's death. Laertes can
cantando como siempre desde la muerte de su padre. Laertes
not believe his eyes. He is not strong enough and cries piti-
no puede creer lo que ve. No es lo suficientemente fuerte aho-
fuliy.
. 421:.
ra y llora apenado.
"There's rosemary for remembrance and there are pansles 10r
-Aqu hay romero para recordar y flores de pensamiento para
thoughts," says Ophelia as she gives flowers to the presents.
los pensamientos -dice Ofelia mientras entrega flores a los pre-
Laertes is about to faint with sorrow, and cries as they watch
sentes.
her leaving, singing:
Laertes est a punto de desmayarse de pena, y llora mientras la
"And will he not come again?
ven partir, cantando:
And will he not come again?
Y l no volver?
N o, no, he is dead,
Y l no volver?
Go to thy43 death-bed,
No, no, est muerto,
He never will come again."
Vete a tu lecho de muerte,
"Do you see this, O God?" says Laertes, bursting into tears. The
l nunca volver.
King goes up to him, and takes him out for a walk to talk about
-Ves esto, oh, Dios? -dice Laertes rompiendo a llorar. El rey
his father's death.
camina hacia l y lo lleva fuera a dar un paseo para hablar sobre
In another room in the castle, Horatio gets a letter from
la muerte de su padre.
Harnlet.
En otra habitacin del castillo, Horacio recibe una carta de
'Horatio, when you shall have read this, send these fellows to
Hamlet:
the King. They have letters for him. In our second day at sea, a
Horacio, cuando hayas ledo esto, enva a estos hombres al rey:
pirate ship gave us chase. I alone became their prisoner. But they
Tienen cartas para l. En nuestro segundo da en el inar, un bar-
have brought me home.Join me as soon as you can. I have words
co pirata nos abord. Slo a m me hicieron prisionero. Pero me
to speak to you that will make you dumb. These good fellows
han trado a casa. Renete conmigo en cuanto puedas. Tengo
will bring you where I amo Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold
cosas que contarte que te dejarn mudo. Estos buenos hombres
their course for England. Of them I have much to tell you.
te traern hasta donde estoy. Rosencrantz y Guildenstern siguen
Farewell.Your friend, Harnlet.'
su viaje a Inglaterra, de ellos tengo mucho que decirte.Adis.Tu
amigo, Hamlet.
42. PallSy: flor de pensamiento.
43. 7hy: tuyo. Adjetivo posesivo de uso arcaico, equivale al actual yOl/r.
44 HAMLET
Horatio do es as he is told: sends a messenger to the King, and
runs to meet his friendo
Meanwhile, the King is with Laertes, walking around the casde.
"Now that you are acquainted with this, you must put me in your
heart for friend, since you have heard that he which has slain
your noble father pursued'" my life," says the King to Laertes.
"Tell me why you did not proceed against these crimes, as you
should have."
"O, for two special reasons; which may to you, perhaps, seem
light, but yet to me they are serious. The Queen, his mother, lives
almost by his looks; and for myself, 1 could not move but by her.
The other reason is the great love the people bear him, that would
convert his crimes to graces."
"And so 1have lost my noble father; and my sister is driven into
madness, but my revenge will come."
"Do not break your sleeps for that.You shortly shall hear more:
Iloved your father ..."The King is interrupted by the messenger
sent by Horatio. "How now! What news do you bring?"
"Letters, my lord, from Harnlet," answers the messenger.
"From Harnlet! Who brought them?" asks the King full of sur-
pnse.
"Sailors, my lord, they say; 1 did not see them. They were given
to me."
. "Laertes, you shall hear this. Leave us now," orders the King.
When the messenger leaves, the King reads in a loud voice:"'High
and mighryv Majesty, you shall know 1 have come back to your
kingdom. Tomorrow 1 shall beg leave to see you, to recount the
occasions of my sudden and strange return. Harnlet.' What should
this mean? Are all the rest come back?"
44. To pllrslle something: perseguir, tener como objetivo algo.
45. Higll and migllty: excelso y poderoso. Eran tratamientos de la realeza.
HAMLET 45
Horacio hace lo que le pide: enva el mensajero al rey y corre
a encontrar a su amigo.
Mientras tanto, el rey est con Laertes, paseando alrededor del
castillo.
-Ahora que conoces el asunto, debes tenerme en tu corazn
como un amigo, ya que te has enterado que aquel que ha matado
a tu noble padre tena como objetivo mi vida -dice el rey a Laertes.
-Dime por qu no has procedido contra estos delitos como
deberas haber hecho.
-Oh, por dos razones especiales; pueden, quiz, parecerte
leves, pero sin embargo para mi son serias. Su madre, la reina,
vive pendiente de l, y en cuanto a rr, yo no podra mover-
me si no es por ella. La otra razn es el profundo afecto que el
pueblo le tiene y que convertira sus crmenes en mritos.
-y as yo he perdido a mi noble padre y mi hermana se ve
arrastrada a la locura, pero mi venganza ha de llegar.
-No pierdas el sueo con eso. En breve sabrs ms: yo quera a
tu padre ... -El reyes interrumpido por el mensajero que envi
Horacio-. Qu sucede ahora? Qu n~ticias traes?
+Cartas, mi seor, de Harnlet -contesta el mensajero. _
-De Harnlet! Quin las trajo? -pregunta el rey sorpren-
dido.
-Marineros, mi seor, dicen; yo no los he visto. Me fueron entre-
gadas.
-Laertes, debes escuchar esto. Djanos ahora -ordena el rey.
Cuando el mensajero se va, el rey lee en voz alta-o Excelsa
y poderosa Majestad, debe saber que he vuelto a su reino.
Maana pedir su permiso para verlo, para contarle las razo-
nes de mi inesperado y extrao retorno. Hamlet. Qu quie-
re decir esto? Han regresado todos los dems?
46 HAMLET
"Do you know the hand?"46
. "It is Hamlet's character.And in a postscript here, he says'alone.'
Can you advise me?"
"1 am lost in it, my lord. But let him come; it calms the sick-
ness" in my heart to know that 1 shall see him and take revenge."
"If it be so, Laertes, will you be ruled by me?"
"Ay, my lord; if you will not overrule me to a peace."
"Laertes, keep close within your chamber. Hamlet shall know
you are at home. 1'11talk most well of you and the fame you
have in the art and exercise in your defense, and of your rapier,
especially. 1 know he would like to play with you. He, being
most generous, and free from all contriving, will not peruse the
foils;" so that with ease you may choose a sword unbated.T'"
"1 will do it, and 1'11anoint my sword with poison so mortal
that if 1 gall him slightly, he will be a dead man."
"Let's further think of this; if this should fail, I should have a
second project. Let me see... 1'11 have prepared him a chalice for
the nonce."50 He suddenly stops as he sees the Queen approach-
ing. She is terribly overwhelmed, and they can see in her eyes that
she is not bringing good news to them, "How do you do, sweet
Queen?"
"So fast one woe follows another: your sister's drowned, Laertes,"
In fact, a few hours before, around the castle, where there is
a willow that grows by a brook, Ophelia had clambered to hang
some garlands.A branch broke; and her weedy trophies and her-
self fell down into the brook. Her clothes spread wide; and,
awhile they bore her up, mermaid-like, while she chanted old
46. Hand: mano. En este caso se refiere a la mano que 10 ha escrito, al autor.
47. Sidmess: enfermedad. En este contexto, sed.
48. Foil: espada de esgrima o florete.
49. Unbated: con punta. La esgrima se practicaba con espadas sin puntas o batel
50. For the /lO/lee: para una ocasin especial.
HAMLET 47
-Reconoce la letra?
-Es la letra de Harnlet.Y en la posdata aqu, dice solo.Puedes
aconsejarme?
-No s qu decirte, mi seor. Pero djalo venir; calma la sed de
mi corazn saber que 10 ver y me vengar.
-Si es as, Laertes, te someters a m?
-S, mi seor, si no me obligas a hacer las paces.
-Laertes, qudate en tus aposentos. Hamlet sabr que ests
en casa: yo hablar muy bien de ti y de la fama que tienes en
el arte y ejercicio de tu defensa, y de tu estocada, especialmen-
te. S que le gustar combatir contigo. l, como es muy gene-
roso e incapaz de hacer conspiraciones, no mirar previamen-
te las armas; as que fcilmente podrs elegir una espada con
punta.
+Lo har, y untar mi espada con un veneno tan mortal que si
lo toco apenas, ser hombre muerto.
-Pensemos ms sobre esto; si esto fallara,debera tener un segun-
do plan. Djame ver.. .le tendr preparado un cliz para la especial
ocasin. -Se detiene de repente al ver que se aproxima la reina. Ella
est terriblemente afectada y pueden ver en sus ojos que no es por-
tadora de buenas noticias para ellos-o Cmo ests, dulce reina?
-Tan rpidamente una desgracia sigue a la otra: tu hermana se
ha ahogado, Laertes.
De hecho, unas pocas horas antes, alrededor del castillo, don-
de hay un sauce que crece junto a un arroyo, Ofelia haba tre-
pado para colgar unas guirnaldas. Una rama se rompi y sus coro-
nas de floress y ella misma cayeron en el arroyo. Sus ropas se
extendieron completamente, y por un rato la mantuvieron a
flote como una sirena, mientras ella cantaba viejas tonadas,
48 HAMLET HAMLET 49

tunes; till her soaked garments pulled the poor wretch into the hasta que sus prendas empapadas hundieron a la pobre infeliz
water. en el agua.
Laertes, full his heart of pain and anger, leaves the monarchs, Laertes, con el corazn lleno de dolor y enojo, deja a los monar-
walking away in a storm of passion. cas, saliendo impetuosamente.
"Let's follow, Gertrude; how much 1 had to do to calm his rage! -Sigmoslo, Gertrudis, cunto tuve que hacer para calmar su
Now 1fear this will give it start again!" ira! Ahora temo que esto la encienda de nuevo!

V V
In the churchyard, where Hamlet has met Horatio, they find two En el cementerio, donde Hamlet se ha reunido con Horacio,
clowns.t! with spades, digging a grave.While the grave is taking encuentran a dos campesinos, con palas, cavando una fosa.Mientras
shape, they sing and throw away skulls. la tumba va tomando forma, ellos cantan y arrojan calaveras.
"Whose grave's this, sir?" asks Hamlet. -De quin es esta tumba, seor? -pregunta Hamlet.
"Mine, sir," answers the digger, and keeps singing. +Ma, seor -contesta el excavador, y sigue cantando.
"Then, what man do you dig it for?" reformulates the ques- +Entonces, para qu hombre la cava? -reformula Hamlet la
tion Hamlet. pregunta.
"For no man, sir." -Para ningn hombre, seor.
"What woman, then?" asks again, very patiently. -Para qu mujer, entonces? -pregunta de nuevo, muy pacien-
"For none neither." temente.
"Then, who is to be buried in it?" -Para ninguna tampoco.
"One that was a woman, sir; but, rest her soul, she's dead." +Entonces, quien ser enterrado en ella?
"He's a knave!" speaks Hamlet to Horatio; then he talks again -Una que fue una mujer, seor; pero, que en paz descanse, est
to the clown. "How long have you been a grave-maker?" muerta.
"From the day that our late King Harnlet overcame Fortinbras." -Es un traidor! -dice Harnlet a Horacio; luego le habla de nue-
"How long is that since?" vo al campesino-: Cunto tiempo hace que eres sepulturero?
"Cannot you tell that? every fool can tell that: it was the very day -Desde el da que nuestro difunto rey Hamlet venci a
that young Harnlet was born, he that is rnad, and sent into England," Fortimbrs.
"Ay, why was he sent to England?" -Cunto hace de eso?
-No lo sabe usted? Cualquier tonto lo sabe:fue el mismo da que
eljoven Harnlet naci, el que est loco y fue enviado a Inglaterra.
51. e/ol/m: el trmino significaba campesino, rstico, pero puesto que siempre el rstico ha sido blan-
-S, por qu ha sido enviado a Inglaterra?
co de burlas y objeto de risa, en el teatro ingls pas a designar al actor cmico que representaba
'stc papel, y el trmino se extendi al uso actual de payaso o persona que hace rer.
 50 HAMLET HAMLET 51

"Why? Because he is mad: he shall recover his wits there; or, if -Por qu? Porque est loco: recuperar la razn all, o si no lo
he does not, it's no great matter." hace, no es un gran problema.
"Why?" -Por qu?
"There the men are as mad as he."- -All los hombres estn tan locos como l.
"How did he come mad?" -Cmo se volvi loco?
"Very strangely, they say."As he talks, he throws away another -De forma muy extraa, dicen -mientras habla, arroja otra
skull. calavera.
"Whose was it?" -De quin era sta?
"A mad fellow's it was: whose do you think it was? It was +Era de un loco, de quin crees que era? Era la calavera de Yo-
Yorick's skull, the King's jester." rick, el bufn del rey.
"This? Let me see." Hamlet takes the skull. "Ay, poor Yorick! I -sta? Djame ver. -Harnlet toma la calavera-oS, pobre Yorick!
knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent Lo conoc, Horacio; un hombre de un humor inagotable, de una
fancy; he has borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, excelente naturaleza; me ha llevado sobre sus espaldas mil veces;
it makes me sick." y ahora, esto me revuelve el estmago.
While Hamlet speaks, the priest, Laertes and friends come in Mientras Hamlet habla, el sacerdote, Laertes y amigos llegan en
procession carrying Ophelia's coffin, followed by the King and procesin cargando el fretro de Ofelia.Los siguen el rey y la rei-
Queen and courtiers. na y los cortesanos.
"Let's couch and mark," whispers Hamlet to Horatio. -Ocultmonos y observemos -murmura Hamlet a Horacio.
As Laertes sees that the priest does not continue the ceremony, he Como Laertes ve que el sacerdote no contina la ceremonia,
asks: . pregunta:
"No more must be done?" -No debe hacerse nada ms?
"No more," answers the priest, "her death was doubtful. We -Nada ms -contesta el sacerdote-, su muerte fue dudosa.
would profane the service of the dead if we sing a requiem to Profanaramos el servicio de los muertos si cantamos un rquiem
her as to a peace-parted soul." para ella como para un alma que ha partido en paz.
"Lay her in the earth, and fiom her fair and unpolluted flesh may -Colquenla en la tierra, y que de su hermosa e impoluta car-
violets spring! I tell you, churlish52 priest, an angel shall my sister be." ne florezcan violetas! Yo te digo, cura maleducado, que mi her-
"What? Ophelia?" says Hamlet, astonished from his hidden mana ser un ngel.
place. -Qu? Ofelia? -dice Hamlet, atnito, desde su escondite.
"Sweets to a sweet," saysthe Queen, scattering flowers on Ophelia's -Dulces, para una persona dulce -dice la reina desparramando
corpse. "1 hoped you should have been my Hamlet's wife." flores sobre el cadver de Ofelia-. Esperaba que hubieras sido la
esposa de mi Hamlet.
52. Chutlish: grosero, maleducado.

J
 '"?
J~ HAMLET
"Hold off the earth, till 1 have caught her once more in my
arms!" exclaims Laertes, and leaps into the grave.
Hamlet, advancing to them, shouts out:
"What is he who grieves with such an emphasis? This is 1,
Hamlet the Dane." And also leaps into the grave.
"The devil take your soul!" cries out Laertes grappling with him.
The Queen and King order the attendants to part them, Horatio
runs to assist Hamlet, and they finally come out of the grave.
"1 loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers could not make up
my love.What will you do for her?" says Hamlet to Laertes. "Have
you come here to whine? Be buried with herl, and so will 1.Hear
me, what is the reason that you uses3 me thus? 1loved you ever."
"O, he is mad, Laertes," says the King.
"For love of God, forbear him!" implores the Queen.
The King removes Laertes and tells him:
"Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech. Patience
must be our guide."
Hamlets walks away, and good Horatio follows him. They go
to the castle. Hamlet narrates what has happened to him in the
ship, and how he found out that Guildenstern and Rosencrantz
. were carrying a letter from King Claudius to England with the
order ofhis death.
He explains how he devised a new plan, so that England should
put the bearers to sudden death, no shriving-tirne allowed.
"1 had my father's signet, 1 folded the writ up in the form of the
other, gave it the impression, and replaced it. They did not notice
the change.You already know the rest," Hamlet finishes his story.
"So Rosencrantz and Guildenstern go to their own death."
"They are not near my conscience."
"What a king is this!"
53. To use; usar. En este contexto, tratar a alguien de una manera determinada.
J
.- ,.,
HAMLET JJ
-No la cubran de tierra hasta que yo la tenga una vez ms en
mis brazos! -exclama Laertes y salta dentro de la tumba.
Hamlet, avanzando hacia ellos, grita:
-Quin es aquel que se lamenta con tanto nfasis? ste soy yo,
Harnlet, el dans. -y salta tambin dentro de la tumba.
-Que el diablo se lleve tu alma! -Ie grita Laertes luchando contra
l.
La reina y el rey ordenan a los sirvientes que los separen, Horacio
corre a asistir a Hamlet y finalmente salen de la tumba.
-Yo am a Ofelia, cuarenta mil hermanos no podran superar
mi amor. Qu hars por ella? +dice Harnlet a Laertes-. Has
venido aqu a lloriquear? Que te entierren con ellal, y que hagan
lo mismo conmigo. Escchame, cul es la razn por la que me
tratas as?Yo te 'quise siempre.
+Oh, est loco, Laertes -dice elrey
-Por el amor de Dios, perdnalo! +implora la reina.
El rey aparta a Laertes y le dice:
-Refuerza tu paciencia con lo que hablamos anoche. La pacien-
cia debe ser nuestra gua.
Harnlet se aleja y el buen Horacio lo sigue. Ellos van hacia el
castillo. Hamlet le cuenta lo que ha sucedido en el barco y cmo
descubri que Rosencrantz y Guildenstern llevaban una carta
del rey Claudio a Inglaterra con la orden de su muerte.
Le explica cmo prepar un nuevo plan: par:l que Inglaterra
diera muerte inmediata a los portadores, sin permitirles tiempo
de confesin.
-Tena el sello de mi padre, dobl el escrito con la forma del
otro, le imprim el sello, y lo reemplac. Ellos no notaron el cam-
bio. T ya sabes el resto +termina Harnlet su historia.
-As que Rosencrantz y Guildenstern van hacia su propia muerte.
+No me pesan en la conciencia.
-Qu reyes ste!

54 HAMLET
"Dont you think it is now my turn to quit him with this arm?"
"It will be shortly known in England."
"It will be so, but a rnans life is very short, too. I am very sorry,
good Horatio, that 1 behaved like that to Laertes; I'll court his
favours again."
"Silence, my lord!" says in a very low voice Horatio, as he hears
someone approaching. "Who comes here?"
"Your lordship is welcome back t Denmark," says Osric, a
courtier sent by the King and Laertes. "My lord, I must give you
a message from His Majesty."
"Go on."
"You know the excellent skill ofLaertes with his weapon."
"What's his weapon?"
"Rapier and dagger.And the King, sir, has wagered on you six
Barbary horses, and it would come to immediate trial if your
lordship would vouchsafe the answer."
"If it pleases His Majesty."
He rushes off with the answer. Soon another courtier comes
to them, and says:
"My lord, His Majesty wants to know how long it will take
you to get ready."
"I'll be so able later as I am right now."
"Then, the King and Queen, and all are coming down, my
lord."
"In happy time."
He walks away, and the loyal Horatio tells him:
"You willlose this wager, my lord."
"1 do not think so; since Laertes went to France 1have been in
continual practice: 1 shall win."
The servants come inmediately, and set the table with jugs of
wine. The sound of trumpets announces the arrival ofTheir
rr-
HAMLET ))
-No cres qu~ ahora es mi turno de deshacerme de l con
este brazo?
-Pronto se sabr en Inglaterra.
-As ser, pero la vida de un hombre es muy breve, tambin.
Estoy muy apenado, buen Horacio, de haberme portado as con
Laertes. Me ganar su favor de nuevo. '
-Silencio, mi seor! -dice Horacio en voz muy baja, mientras
escucha que alguien se aproxima-, quin llega?
-Su seoria es bienvenida de regreso a Dinamarca -dice Osric,
un cortesano enviado por el rey y Laertes-. Mi seor, debo entre-
garle un mensaje de su majestad.
-Adelante.
-Usted conoce la excelente destreza de Laertes con su arma.
-Cul es su arma?
-Estoque y daga.Y el rey,seor, ha apostado por usted seis caba-
llos berberiscos, y la prueba se realizara de inmediato, si su seo-
ria se dignara responder.
-Si esto complace a su majestad.
Sale apresuradamente con la respuesta. Enseguida llega otro cor-
tesano y dice:
-Mi seor, su majestad quiere saber cunto tiempo tardar en
prepararse.
-Estar tan dispuesto ms tarde como lo estoy ahora mismo.
-Entonces, el rey y la reina, y todos estn bajando, mi seor.
-En buena hora.
l se aleja y el leal Horacio le dice:
-Perders esta apuesta, mi seor.
-No lo creo; desde que Laertes se fue a Francia he estado prac-
ticando continuamente: ganar.
Los sirvientes llegan inmediatamente y disponen la mesa con
jarras de vino. El sonido de trompetas anuncia la llegada de sus

56 HAMLET
Majesties. Behind them walks Laertes, and many other cour-
tiers. The attendants bring foils, daggers, and gauntlets.t"
The King calls Hamlet to come close:
"Come, Hamlet, and take this hand." And holding Laertes' hand,
he puts it onto Hamlet's. Hamlet, who feels really sorry for what
has happened,speaks to Laertes:
"Give me your pardon, sir: 1 have done you wrong, but pardon
it, as you are a gentleman. This presence knows, and you must
have heard, how 1 am punished with sore distraction.What 1 have
done, 1 here proclaim was madness. Did Hamlet hurt Laertes?
Never Hamlet. Hamlet denies it.Who did it, then? His madness:
poor Hamlet's enemy."
"1 do receive your offered love and 1 will prove your honour."
"1 embrace it freely; and 1 will play frankly. Give us the foils;
come on."
"Come, one for me," asks Laertes as well.
The King orders:
"Give them the foils, young Osric. Dear Hamlet, do you know
the wager?"
"Very well, my lord.You have laid the odds55 on the weaker
side," says Hamlet.
"1 do not fear it; 1 have seen you both," replies the King, while
the young men examine the foils.
"This is too heavy, let me see another," asks Laertes.
"This likes me well.These foils have all a length?" asks the Prince
as they prepare to play.
"Ay, my good lord," replies Osric.
"Set me the goblet of wine upon that table!" orders the King
to a servant. "IfHamlet gives the first or second hit, the King shall
54. Garmtlet: guante o manopla, parte del atuendo.
55. To lay (he odds: apostar.
HAMLET 57
majestades. Detrs de ellos camina Laertes, y muchos otros cor-
tesanos. Los miembros del squito traen espadas, dagas y guantes.
El rey llama a Hamlet para que se acerque:
-Ven, Hamlet, y toma esta mano. -y sosteniendo la mano de
Laertes, la pone en la de Hamlet. Hamlet, que se siente realmen-
te apenado por lo que ha sucedido, le dice' a Laertes:
-Concdeme tu perdn, seor: me he comportado mal con-
tigo, pero perdona, como caballero que eres. Esta audiencia sabe,
y t debes haber odo, cuanto padezco por un penoso trastorno.
Lo que he hecho, aqu proclamo que fue locura. Ofendi Hamlet
a Laertes? Nunca Hamlet. Hamlet lo niega. Entonces, quin lo
hizo? Su locura: la enemiga del pobre Hamlet.
-Recibo el afecto que me ofreces y comprobar su honor.
-Le acepto de buen grado, y luchar honestamente. Dnnos
las espadas, vamos.
-Venga, una para m -pide tambin Laertes.
El rey ordena:
-Entr gales las espadas,joven Osric. Querido Hamlet, cono-
ces la apuesta?
-Muy bien, seor. Has apostado a la parte ms dbil -dice
Hamlet.
-No tengo miedo, los he visto a ambos. -contesta el rey, mien-
tras los jvenes examinan las armas.
-sta es demasiado pesada, dejame ver otr~ -solicita Laertes.
-sta me gusta mucho. Estas espadas tienen todas la misma
medida? -pregunta el prncipe mientras se preparan para luchar.
-S, mi buen seor -responde Osric.
-Srvame la copa de vino sobre esa mesa! -ordena el rey a un
sirviente-. Si Hamlet da el primer o segundo toque, el rey beber
 58 HAMLET
drink: to Harnlet's health. Give me the cups. Now the King drink:s
to Harnlet! Come, begin! And you, the judges, watch carefully!
They begin to play.The King orders the trumpets to be played
and drinks to his nephew's health, shouting:
"Give him his cup."
But the Prince rejects it, for he is very excited about the play.
"I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile."
"Our son shall win," says the King to Gertrude, pretending to
, be enormously proud. But the Queen sees her son weak and says:
"He is sweated, and scant of breath." Here, Harnlet, take my
napkin, rub yourbrow, The Queen caro uses to your fortune,
my dear son."Takes the poisoned cup prepared for Harnlet and
drinks it. ,
"Good madam!" exclaims the Prince, ignorant of this horrible
crime,just as the King cries out, too late:
"Gertrude, do not drink:!"
"1 will for Hamlet, my lord," she answers, and then talks to
Harnlet, "Come, let me wipe your face."
Laertes takes this opportunity to turn to the King:
"My lord, I'll hit himnow."
"1 do not think it good now."
"Come, for the third, Laertes: 1 am afraid you make a wanton
of me." Says Harnlet once he is ready.
Laertes is really tired ofletting him win, for he is the best fenc-
er of his country, and very much desires Harnlet to be dead. So
he now puts an end to the game, and begins a real fight. Very soon
he wounds Harnlet. He is very pleased now, for he knows his death
is secured. N evertheless, he continues giving Hamlet a hard fight.
But destiny has chosen death for both: in the scuille, they change
rapiers, and Harnlet wounds Laertes with his own poisoned foil.
,,, /10 111' Ifmil q{ I,renl/: faltar la respiracin,
HAMLET 59
a la salud de Harnlet. Traigan copas. Ahora el rey bebe por Harnlet!
Venga, comiencen!Y ustedes,jueces, observen cuidadosamente!
, Comienzan a luchar. El rey ordena que suenen las trompetas y
bebe a la salud de su sobrino, gritando:
-Dnle su copa.
Pero el prncipe la rechaza, pues est entusiasmado con la lucha:
-Jugar este asalto primero, djenla all un momento.
-Nuestro hijo ganar -dice el rey a Gertrudis fingiendo estar
enormemente orgulloso. Pero la reina ve a su hijo dbil y dice:
-Est sudado y le falta la respiracin. Toma, Harnlet, toma mi
t ,
pauelo, scate la frente, La reina brinda por tu fortuna, mi que-
rido hijo. -Toma la copa envenenada preparada para Harnlet y se
la bebe.
-Buena seora! -exclama el prncipe, ignorante de este horri-
ble crimen, al mismo tiempo en que el rey grita, demasiado tarde:
-Gertrudis, no bebas!
-Lo har por Harnlet, mi seor -contesta ella y luego le habla
a Hamlet--Ven, djame secarte el rostro.
Laertes aprovecha este momento para ir a hablar con el rey:
-Seor, lo herir ahora.
-No creo que ahora sea el momento.
-Vamos, por el tercero, Laertes: temo que ests haciendo de rr
un hazmerrer -Ie dice Harnlet una vez que est listo.
Laertes est realmente cansado de dejado 'ganar, pues l es el
mejor espadachn de su tierra y desea profundamente que Harnlet
muera.As que ahora pone fin al juego y comienza una verdade-
ra lucha. Muy pronto hiere a Hamlet.Ahora est muy satisfecho,
porque sabe que su muerte es segura. Sin embargo, contina dan-
do a Hamlet una dura pelea. Pero el destino ha elegido la muer-
te para ambos: en la escaramuza, se cambian los estoques y Hamlet
hiere a Laertes con su propia espada envenenada.
60 HAMLET
The King is desperate. This has gone far beyond his reach.
"Part them; they are incensed," he shouts.
"Nay, come again!" cries Harnlet, when at last the Queen falls.
"Look to the Queen!" orders Osric, for he does not know which
to assist first: they bleed on both sides.
Good Horatio runs to his friend, and Osric to Laertes, who
whispers to him: 'e,
"1 am as a bird to my own trap, Osric; 1 am justly killed with
my own treachery'P?
The dying Queen can still speak and so she does:
"No, no! the drink, the drink!
my dear Harnlet! 1 am poi-
soned."
Harnlet runs to her and sees that his mother has just died.
"O villany!" he cries, "let the door be locked. Treachery!"
Laertes falls right then, and talks to the Prince very much
repented:
"Harnlet, you are slain, too. No medicine in the world can do
you good; in you there is not half an hour oflife; the treacherous
instrument is in your hand, envenomed. The foul practice has
turned itself on me. So, here 1le, never to rise again: your mother
has been poisoned with a drink meant for you. The King is to
blame."
With these words, Harnlet indefense against his death, stabs the
King with the foil in his hand, crying:
"Then, venom, to your work."
The courtiers and the lords in great astonishment scream out:
"Treason! treason!"
Claudius is now alone, desperate. Heyells:
"O, defend me, friends! 1 am but hurt,"
7 '(h'ocller)': traicin, artimaa.
HAMLET 61
El rey est desesperado. Esta situacin se le ha ido completa-
mente de las manos.
-Seprenlos, estn enfurecidos -ordena con un grito.
-No, ven de nuevo! -grita Harnlet, cuando finalmente la rei-
na cae.
-Atiendan a la reina! -ordena Osric, ya que no sabe a quin
asistir primero: ambos contrincantes sangran.
El buen Horacio corre hacia su amigo, y Osric hacia Laertes,
quien le susurra:
-Soy como un ave en su propia trampa, Osric; me matan con
justicia con mi propia artimaa.
La reina moribunda puede an hablar, y as lo hace:
-No, no! La bebida, la bebida! Oh, mi querido Harnlet! Estoy
envenenada!
Harnlet corre hacia ella y ve que su madre acaba de morir.
-Oh, vileza! -grita-, Cierren las puertas. Traicin!
Laertes cae justo entonces y le habla al prncipe muy arrepen-
tido:
-Harnlet: t ests muerto tambin; ninguna medicina del mun-
do puede curarte; en ti no hay ni media hora de vida; el instru-
mento traidor est en tu mano, envenenado. La sucia prctica se
ha vuelto en mi contra; por tanto, aqu yazgo, para jams levan-
tarme: tu madre ha sido envenenada con una bebida que t de-
bas beber. El reyes el culpable.
Con estas palabras, Harnlet, indefenso ante su propia muerte,
hiere al rey con la espada en su mano, gritando:
.-Entonces, veneno, a tu trabajo.
Los cortesanos y seores con gran asombro gritan:
-Traicin, traicin!
Claudio est solo ahora, desesperado, grita: .
-Oh, defindanme, amigos! Estoy tan slo herido!
62 HAMLET
Hamlet is full of anger and hate, for every one he has loved
once is now dead. So he takes the poisoned drink, and pours it
into the Claudius' mouth, saying to him:
"Here, you incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, drink off this
potion. Follow my mother."
And the King falls dead on the floor,
"He isjustly served; it is a poison tempered by himself Exchange
forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet: mine and my father's death
come not upon you, nor yours on me!" says poor Laertes with
his last breath, and dies.
"Heaven make you free of it! I folJow you, Laertes! 1 die,
Horatio. Wretched Queen, adieu! You that look pale and trem-
ble at this chance, that are but a mute audience to this act, you
must know the truth, but I have no time. Horatio, I am dead; you
live, report me and my cause alright."
"Never. Here's yet some liquor left. I am following you."
"O good Horatio, w~at a wounded name shalllive behind
me if things stand thus unknown! If you did ever hold me in
your heart, live this unhappy time to tell my story," he stops
at the sound of a march afar off, and a shot. "What warlike
noise is this?"
"Young Fortinbras, with conquest, come from Poland; he gives
this warlike volley to the ambassadors of England," answers
Osric.
"O, Horatio! I cannot live to hear the news from England.
But 1 do prophesy the election lights on Fortinbras: he has
my dying vote; tell him so, with the occurrents. The rest is
silence."
And he dies in the midst of a tragic scene.
HAMLET 63
Hamlet est lleno de rabia y odio, porque todos a los que una
vez am estn ahora muertos. As que toma la bebida envenena-
da y la echa en la boca de Claudio dicindole:
-Toma, t, incestuoso, asesino, maldito dans, bebe toda esta
pcima. Sigue a mi madre.
y el rey cae al suelo muerto.
-Recibi su merecido justamente; es un veneno preparado por
l mismo. Intercambia tu perdn conmigo, noble Hamlet: que
mi muerte y la de mi padre no caigan sobre ti, ni la tuya sobre
mil -dice el pobre Laertes con su ltimo aliento, y muere.
-Que el cielo te libre de ello! Te sigo, Laertes! Muero, Horacio.
Infeliz reina, adis! Ustedes que estn plidos y tiemplan en esta
ocasin, que no son ms que la muda audiencia de este acto, deben
conocer la verdad, pero yo no tengo tiempo. Horacio, estoy muer-
to; vive, haz que se sepa sobre mi y mi causa con justicia.
+Nunca. Aqu queda algo del licor. Te sigo.
-Oh, buen Horacio, qu nombre manchado vivir tras de m
si las cosas permanecen as desconocidas! Si alguna vez me qui-
siste, vive este infeliz tiempo para contar mi historia -se calla con
el sonido de una marcha a lo lejos y un disparo fuera-o Qu soni-
/ do de guerra es ste?
-El joven Fortimbrs, llega de Polonia con victoria; l dispara
esta salva de guerra a los embajadores de Inglaterra -contesta
Osric.
-Oh, Horacio!, no puedo vivir para or las noticias de
Inglaterra. Pero adivino que la eleccin cae sobre Fortimbrs:
l tiene mi voto moribundo; dselo,junto con todo lo que ha
ocurrido. El resto es silencio.
y muere en medio de una trgica escena.