Hamlet - The Mousetrap Scene
Storyboard Text
- Do not exaggerate with the role I've given you! Be natural as to fulfill the unchanging purpose of acting - reflecting the truth as it is.
- We will most certainly do as you command, sir.
- In that case, tell the actors to hurry along. You two.. go with him!
- Yes, he will..very soon. The queen will accompany him, too.
- Is the king going to attend the play?
- Horatio, I've decided to entrust you with a secret. Tonight, the actors will perform a play that I have added a scene to. That scene will mirror the exact circumstances of my father's death. During that scene, please keep a close eye on my uncle, as will I, and see if he shows any sign of guilt. We shall reach a conclusion after the play.
- Oh Horatio..my dearest friend! The most loyal, level-headed, and morally-good man!
- Oh, my lord.. you are too kind.
- Hamlet instructs the actors on how to deliver the roles he had written for them. He criticizes ingenuine actors and tells them to act naturally.
- "Excellent, i’ faith, of the chameleon’s dish. I eat the air, promise-crammed. You cannot feed capons so".
- How've you been, dear nephew?
- Hamlet asks Polonius if the king is willing to attend the performance and urges him, Rozencrantz, and Guildenstern to hurry along after the actors. Hamlet knows that they are scheming against him, so he enjoys ordering them around as much as he can.
- Hamlet is pleased to see his friend, Horatio, and asks for his help in catching King Claudius while he is battling his guilty conscience. He hopes that he will finally be able to make a decision after the play.
- The pantomime before the play begins during which the player king and queen exchange words of intense devotion. The queen then leaves the king alone to take his nap on a bank of flowers. Shortly after the queen has left, another man comes in, takes the crown off of the sleeping king's head, kisses it, then pours poison into the king's ear, and exits slyly. The queen enters and bawls at the sight of her dead husband. Following that, the killer joins the queen and pretends to grieve with her. After the body is carried away, the killer floods the queen with gifts who at first, is cold and reluctant but eventually accepts his approach.
- Claudius and Gertrude, along with Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern, enter. Claudius greets Hamlet who, in turn, responds with a long, confusing answer.
- It has been 30 years since we have happily joined hearts. My love, I fear that I will soon have to leave you, for my body is growing weak. After I leave you, perhaps you will find yourself another husband.
- Hamlet, who is still mourning his father's death, chooses to sit next to Ophelia instead of sitting next to his mother, and the two keep exchanging comments.
- Usually, what we wish to happen and what happens in reality are not the same. You now think you will never marry again, but when I die, those thoughts will die, too.
- My father died just two hours ago but look at how happy everyone in this room is, especially my mother. (to Ophelia)
- No, my lord.. your father has died four months ago.
- The pantomime before the play was a tradition in theaters during the Renaissance and Elizabethan times. It gives an overview of the events of the play. During this time, Hamlet and Ophelia exchange their remarks on the pantomime.
- What do you think of the play, madam?
- The queen is making too many promises.
- What will happen next in the play? Is there anything insulting in it? What is it titled?
- The play begins with the player king, now old and weak, expressing his love towards his wife who refuses to marry another husband after her beloved first husband dies.
- Oh dear, may we continue to love each other for another 30 years. I worry about you now.. you are not like your former cheerful self, but may a curse fall on me if I decide to take a second husband. That would be treason in my heart!
- The player king tells his wife that her feelings might change after he dies, but she insists that she will not marry again. Then, he asks her to leave him for a while and goes to sleep. Even though they had a fight earlier, they must coexist at court.
- May I feel no happiness! May I never rest! After becoming a widow, I shall never become a wife again.
- Please leave me alone dear. I would like to get some sleep to escape this tiring day.
- Claudius and Gertrude start to feel discomforted by the play's events. Hamlet, who knows of their discomfort, claims that the play should not make anyone feel bothered. Hamlet's words force the king and queen to look into their actions.
- No, the play is not offensive, but it is mischievous. It's called The Mousetrap and recalls the events of a murder in Vienna. Still, we could watch without being bothered, for we definitely all have clear consciences.
- The king is sleeping.. I have the opportunity to act. in this darkness of night, no one can see me. May this poison steal his health and life.
- That is Lucianus, the king's nephew. He has poisoned King Gonzago in order to claim the kingdom. Wait till you see how this murderer wins the love of Gonzago's wife.
- My lord! Is everything alright?!
- Stop the play! Turn on all the lights!
- Turn on the lights! I am leaving!
- Lucianus, the Player King's nephew, pours poison into the king's ear while he is asleep, killing him.
- Oh, this kingdom was ruled by a great king, and now it's ruled by a big peacock! Oh, Horatio, have you seen him?! I'm sure the Ghost spoke the truth! Did you see how he acted when he saw the poison?!
- Yes, my lord. I kept a very close eye on him, and he did seem guilty.
- Hamlet explains to Claudius, Gertrude, and Ophelia what Lucianus is doing. By doing that, he hopes to capture Claudius in his most guilty and frightened state.
- I will obey. Do you want anything else from me?
- My lord, the king is very upset, and the queen is shocked and unhappy and requests to see you in her chambers now/
- Claudius is unable to tolerate the play anymore. Offended and frightened, he gets up from his seat and leaves. Hamlet believes that this equates to Claudius confessing his guilt.
- It is nighttime when all dirty deeds are done. I'm now in such a dark and dangerous mood that I might harm the ones around me. I have to go see my mother, but I pray that I will be cruel with my words but not too harsh as to kill her.
- Hamlet feels relieved at the sight of Claudius seeing his own dirty deeds reflected on stage. He asks Horatio if he had noticed Claudius's reaction to which Horatio answers he did.
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to inform Hamlet that the queen wants to see him. Hamlet gives long, confusing answers, for he is feigning madness. He argues that they try to make a fool out of him and betray him, but that he will not fall for their traps. After that, Polonius comes to summon Hamlet, and he obeys.
- Horatio
- Rosencrantz
- Guildenstern
- Hamlet is feeling reckless and unpredictable. He prepares for his upcoming meeting with his mother, hoping that he will be direct with his words while refraining from hurting her.
- Prince Hamlet
- Polonius
- King Claudius
- Ophelia
- Queen Gertrude
- Player King
- Player Queen
- Lucianus
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