Hamlet; the Noir Adaption 2023 Act 4 Scene 1 Sub Scene 1

 Act Four

Act Four Scene One

Sub Scene One

Hamlet is mad.

Claudius sat with Gertrude for their breakfast. It was a silent event, which normally will be a gaily sharing of news and smiles. Even the scones were taken without a whimper on the baking, which was normally slightly hard or sweet to taste. Even their guests, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern remained silent while taking slow sips of their tea.

Claudius took a bite of it and then looked away. He was in a heavy mood and looked toward her.

“There’s matter in these sighs”, Claudius looked at Gertrude. “He is …our son, and as a mother; these profound heaves you must translate for this fit we understand them.”

“Where is our son?” Claudius asked.

“Oh my lord, what I have seen the night before?” Gertrude broke her silence then. It was…”

“Give us this place a little while.” Claudius looked to the duo who took leave.
“What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet?”

“Mad as the sea and wind when both contend more like Neptune in battle with Hermes; one of the waves of the sea, the other with the winds of the storm. Which is the mightier? In his lawless fit, behind the curtain on hearing something stir, he whips out the dagger, and cries “A rat, a rat.” Gertrude burst into tears. “In his brainy apprehension kills whom he had not seen; a good old man.”

“Oh, heavy deed! It had been so with us had we been there. His liberty is full of threats to all.” Claudius looked at Gertrude. “To you; yourself, to us, to everyone. Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answered?”

“You must do something, Claudius. I beg of you.” Gertrude cried toward Claudius.

“It will be laid to us, whose providence, he should have kept short, restrained, and out of the haunt.” Claudius knew in his mind that Hamlet must be stopped.

“This mad young man. But so much was our love, we would not understand what was most fit. We can’t do that for we are the owner of a foul disease; our hearts pained to keep it from divulging, lets it feed toward the pith of life perhaps.”

“Where is he gone?” Claudius raised his voice.

“To draw apart the body he has killed, o'er whom his very madness, like some ore mixed onto the other metals, his stands pure..” Gertrude feels for her son. She yearns to think he had acted out in anger, but calm when he is, he regrets.

“He weeps for what is done.”

“Oh, Gertrude, shed the motherly feelings. Once the sun no sooner shall the mountains touch, we will send him off.” Claudius was firm on his call. He looked to Gertrude, and assure her of the action to protect her son.

“And this vile deed, We must with all our majesty and skill both countenance and excuse.” Claudius will cover for the crime if it's needed.

“Ho, Guildenstern! I call on you.” Claudius called out to the duo.

“Friends both, go join you with some further aid. Hamlet in madness has Polonius slain”, Claudius told them “And from his mother's closets has he dragged him.” Claudius told the duo.

“Go seek him out, speak fair, and bring the body into the chapel. I pray you to make haste in this.”

“Come, Gertrude, we'll call up our wisest friends and let them know both what we mean to do.” Claudius pulled at Gertrude’s hands.

“What do you intend to do?” Gertrude asked.

“To cover the murder, as the King would have done. If it happens in Norway, it shall remain in Norway.” Claudius looked at Gertrude. “We can’t allow it to be known outside.”

“Oh, my dear. It’s what I dread about Norway. There are too many vices here buried on its estate. Why can’t we come clean for once?”

“Oh, come away! It’s our son, Hamlet we are talking about. Do think for once I will be allowed what he had done to be known. No, I won’t. My soul is full of discord and dismay but I will act in the interest of all including you.”

“So am I.” The mother pained for herself. They took leave to find the son.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern stood a distance and saw the elderly couple had left the hall. It was Rosencrantz who spoke first.

“Are you mad too? Why must we take Hamlet to England? Claudius held an army of his own, that can be called on. We are paid to see and understand him. We did and reported it. Why shall we send him? And murder? That was never in the services.”

“Silence, my lover. Where did you get the idea we are to murder him?” Guildenstern looked at Rosencrantz. “We are to send him to England.”

“To be killed. Does that not reach your conscience? It did on mine.”

“When was that? I did not hear of any murder here except an old man was killed.”

“Please, Guildenstern. We know those in England. They are rascals and their trade was to remove all threats. They had done it before. Remember the …”

“Hush your mouth, Rosencrantz, or I will have it stuffed. Nothing to say of the past here. We are given wealth to deliver and that’s our role. We are emissaries only. Not the ministers of war.” Guildenstern knew the lads there. They are no pals.