Act Four
Interlude
King
Hamlet stood in the hall with only his lover, Gertrude, and the other he had
kept as a guest in the castle, Emperor Claudius. The King was in his play
costume as Caesar while the others were in their casual wear.
“I
do apologize, my lord. I was caught up with the rewrites when you called. My
inspiration was in flow…” Polonius the Chamberlain, as he held the rank
then, had tried to explain his delay.
“I
do not require your excuses, Polonius. I am to ask you as a witness to the …”
King Hamlet was distracted by the running steps and in the unneeded
distraction; Hamlet holding the panty of the girl chasing him.
“Give
me back that!’ Ophelia was pursuing the boy of age five. They ran past the
quartet from the hall to the corridors, with their playful shrieks heard by
far.
“I
will caution my daughter soon, my lord. It’s unbecoming of that girl.” Polonius
bowed to the King. “It’s not easy being…”
“Enough,
Polonius. You are not called here to be judged, but as …witness to …” The King
was upset but his lover intrude on his words.
“Hamlet,
we need not discuss this with …” Gertrude pleaded with the King.
“The
Chamberlain is a part of my family. He stands with me on all occasions and
shall be at my side.” King Hamlet roared out. “If you think he is below his
tank, then he will be known as the Great Chamberlain.”
“I
meant no disrespect toward him but this is…” Gertrude tried to state her stand.
“A
family matter and it involves my loyal staff who is a kin to me.” King Hamlet
looked at Claudius. “Not one sneaked behind my back and destroy my trust.”
“Hamlet,
I was …” Claudius wanted to explain himself.
“I
had tolerated it for long. Even before the birth of young Hamlet, I had known
that we were all one family. I regretted ever sharing my life with you. You for
one was taken as my brother. Nurtured by myself and yet you betrayed me.”
“I
have done nothing …that …nothing that will hurt you.” Claudius looked to the
King. “You have been kind to me when I was without an act; the menial ones I
still took on your call.”
“Menial?
Are any of my plays menial, Chamberlain?” King Hamlet was upset.
“No,
my lord. All your plays are major works of art. You're acting could be
unsurpassed by any but with your discipline, they will be as good. Even the
most ‘menial’ act was acclaim with its rank and encore gave.” Polonius defended
the King. It was true for his writing had improved under the King. Any encore
to the play was his to relish.
“Claudius,
long had I known but my career was important. I needed the avenues to vent my
thoughts. My acts.” King Hamlet looked at Gertrude. “You…”
“Was
I to wait while you act? Was it acting when we laid in bed?” Gertrude asked.
“Once we were lovers, for a long time, we were just bedtime partners. You slept
on your side and me on the other. We had not felt as before.”
“I
was in my culmination of fame. I needed to be …” The King defended his lack of
marital acts with his lover.
“And
how many did you lay on the need for fame? The King is ravenous! The King is
insatiable! The King …” Gertrude hit hard.
“Enough!
Your needs were taken care of. Does he not hump you when needed? Or was he a
poor lover compared to me?” The King motioned to Claudius. “Claudius, your
manliness is being questioned.”
“I
did with Gertrude, while she may hold needs as well as me. We knew you knew yet
you did not forbid. Many a night she longed for you but you were at play or
playing for someone.” Claudius said. “I say a need and with that, I shared
mine.”
“Even
in my castle, you did.” The King looked at Gertrude. “Do you see the need to be
more private here? I know we had fewer walls in the old home, but here we have
many chambers, and God knows what corner
you could lurk.”
“Why
do it so plainly that he had to see?” The King was infuriated. He pointed to
the doorway where Hamlet had left with the panty of the girl. “He asked of me
what was that?”
“Oh,
my God. We did not …We should…” Gertrude held her hands to her lips.
“What?
Where? Who? How? I don’t care. He may not be mine at all.” Those words caused
Gertrude to fall to her knees.
“Oh,
my God. How could …:” Claudius reacted.
“How
was I know? He seems to be more like you. His antics and appearance are like
yours. All false acts.” The King looked back at Gertrude. “ I know it all. I am
an actor. A better one than him.”
“I
will not take this …” Claudius clawed his way.
“And
you won’t. I am sending you to England. There you will stay and act. Come back
not here unless I am dead.” The King looked at Claudius. “Your bastard will be
sent away too. He will learn to live there….away from his mother.”
“No…”
Gertrude pleaded. “I will be …”
“You
better be good. His well-being depended on your behavior.” The King said to
Gertrude. “I will be King one day but never will there be a Queen, but only the
madam by myself.”
“Chamberlain,
send my son to the school I told you about. Send Laertes if you want. It’s a
good school.” The King told the Chamberlain. “Your daughter… She is older. Do
as you would like. I have seen hussies and take care of her or she will be one
soon.”
“Yes,
my lord.” Polonius nodded. “It will be as arranged.”
“Remember
this, Claudius. I am to be King and Norway will be my estate. You are banished.
Do not ever think of seeing your son. He is to be unblemished from today. If I
were to ever see you, it will be on my deathbed.”
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