The Metropolitan Opera HD Live (2006–…): Season 4, Episode 8 - Thomas: Hamlet - full transcript

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Let our songs ascend to the skies!

A day to celebrate!
A day of happiness!

Celebrate with wine and song
the wedding day of King Claudius!

Gertrude, once my brother's wife...

...I crown you now for a second time.

Thus I obey the will of the Danish people.

Bowing to their wishes,
I stifle my own sorrow.

May your grace and gentleness
soften my sovereign power.

Once my brother's wife,
and now mine!

God save the king!

God save the queen!



I do not see my son.

Silence! You are the queen!

Mourning gives way to joyful song!

A day to celebrate!

A day of happiness!

Celebrate with wine and song.

The wedding day of King Claudius!

A day of happiness!

Celebrate with joyous song!

The king's glorious wedding day!

Vain regrets!
Fleeting tenderness!

My father felled by the blows
of a blind and jealous fate.

Not two months passed...

...and my mother in the arms
of a new husband!



O brief eternity of tears,
all so soon forgotten.

Frailty, thy name is woman!

My lord!

Ophelia!

Alas! The endless grief in
your soul only ruins our happiness.

I hear the king has granted your wish.

You are fleeing the court! Leaving!

Ophelia!

Why do you turn from me?

What despair drives you away?

Am I to think your heart
has forgotten me?

No! Heaven is my witness!

I am not one to forget love's
sweet promises in a day.

I do not have a woman's heart!

How cruel!

Does Ophelia deserve
to be insulted like this?

Forgive me, dear creature.

I was not accusing you!

Your chaste soul shows in your beauty.

Doubt the light, doubt sun and day.

Doubt heaven and earth...

...but never doubt my love!

Hamlet! Love cannot keep you here.

Would you be leaving if you loved me
as much as I love you?

No. I am fleeing not you
but the inconstancy of man.

Your image, so calm and serene,
will accompany my solitary steps.

Your presence consoles me.

Your love dries my bitter tears.

One word from you
will keep me here by your side.

Luminous sun that lights our life...

...be witness to his love!

Ophelia!

Dear Ophelia!

My soul is yours!

Destiny binds our lives forever.

My soul is yours!

My life is yours!

Doubt the light, the sun, the day...

...but never doubt my love.

Luminous sun, star of day...

...be witness to his love.

Greetings, Prince Hamlet!

God keep you, Laertes.
Ophelia's brother is mine as well.

My lord, I come to take my leave.

You are leaving us?

The king has sent me to Norway,
and I depart tonight.

Alas, the daylight is nearly gone.

Faithful to my country,
I must fight, and endure exile.

If death strikes when I am far away...

...your friendship will console her.

She is my pride and my life!

I entrust her to your heart.

I will rely on your devotion.

Before I leave my beloved sister,
I entrust to you...

...her honor and her reputation.

Protect her while I am gone.

She is my pride and my life!

I entrust her to your heart.

I pray you guard her as your own.

I am off then!

Aren't you coming to the banquet?

I have no wish to attend.

God be with you, Laertes,
and guide your way.

Honor to the king!

They are calling us to the banquet!

Come! The royal wedding feast!

Wine, the enemy of sadness!

Drink drowns the day's boredom!

Pleasure calls!
Life's joys are brief!

What use, friends, to dream and weep
when the days so quickly vanish?

Let us drink the night away!

Pleasure calls!
Life's joys are brief!

The days so quickly vanish.

Let us drink the night away!

Pleasure calls!
Life's joys are brief!

Gentlemen, have you seen Prince Hamlet?

Why? What do you want with him?

Last night, on the bleak ramparts...

...we saw the ghost of the late king.

Ridiculous! Lies and sorcery!

No. The ghost was that of old Hamlet.

What did it want of us? God save us!
We must tell the prince at once.

The feast awaits us!
Time is pressing!

Wine, the enemy of sadness!

Drink drowns the day's boredom!

Pleasure calls!
Life's joys are brief!

What use, friends, to dream and weep
when the days so quickly vanish?

Drink drowns the day's boredom!

Pleasure calls!
Life's joys are brief!

Will he come?

Will we see the ghost again?

It is there he appeared before.

Horatio! Is that you?

Is it you, my lord?

Yes, I heard you and Marcellus.

You were looking for me. Why?

Perhaps you can fathom this mystery.

It is by the will of God you are here.

We have seen your father's ghost.

-My father!
-Yes, my lord, with my own eyes.

At the sight of him I trembled.

His eyes stared,
his pace was slow.

Three times he passed us,
somber and silent.

Terrifying wonder!
Sinister omen!

His face was so pale!

At what time did the ghost appear?

At midnight.

-On this spot?
-This very spot.

When the cock crowed,
he vanished!

Without a word.

O heaven! My blood freezes!

But what can we fear from the dead
who loved us while they lived?

Why should I fear my father's ghost?

Perhaps he will return.
Let us wait.

Here, gloom and mourning.

Down there, the noisy feast.

The king defies death and destiny.

Listen! The stroke of midnight.

This is the hour!

Look, there he is!

Heavenly angels, defend us!

God! My knees are giving way!

Ghost from beyond!
Adored image!

My father! My king!

Answer my tearful voice.

Speak to me!

My heart is icy with fear.

Speak from the cold earth
I saw you lowered into.

Why have you risen mysteriously...

...shrouded and bearing a sword?

Ghost from beyond!
Adored image!

My father! My king!

Answer my tearful voice.

Speak to me!

He is giving us a sign.

We are to leave.

Friends, obey!

Heaven punish me if I desert you!

Enough! I do not fear for my soul.

Withdraw. I order you.

He is beckoning to me!

God protect his life!

Let us wait for him below.

Speak! Now we are alone.

Listen to me!

I am listening.

I am the soul of your father.

Divine powers released me from hell
so that I can tell you of your duty.

Speak!

I yield to your command.

If you cherish my memory...

...avenge me!

Strike without fear or pity!

The time to punish him has arrived.

What crime?
Who is the villain?

Listen.

It is he whom they honor,
the man they have proclaimed king!

My crown now sits on his head,
and no one remembers me!

But already the morning breeze
stirs the folds of my shroud.

It is time to accomplish my mission.

I must make haste.

What is it?

That adulteress stained my honor.

And he, setting out to betray me...

...spied me asleep,
then seized the moment.

He poisoned me.

Merciful God!

Avenge me, my son!
Avenge your father!

Kill Claudius before he can repent.

But do not harm your mother.

Leave her to heaven's punishment.

Oh, my mother!

Dawn is in the sky.

A cruel law calls me back.

Farewell! Remember me!

Beloved spirit.

Avenging ghost.

I shall obey your command!

Oh, farewell to light,
to the sun.

Farewell to glory, love
and rapture!

I will remember!
I will remember you!

Since yesterday his hand
has not touched mine.

The sight of me troubles him.
He flees when I approach.

His very look seems like a reproach.

Why this sudden change?

But no!

It is I who am wrong
and do him an injustice.

I shall not think of it any longer.

I must return to my book.

"Farewell, he said, have faith!"

"My heart loves you. Love me!"

"Deceitful vows!
Frivolous promises!"

"In one day, everything can vanish!"

"His heart does not love mine, alas."

There he is!

Is he drawn here for my sake?

He has noticed me!

He draws near!

He is coming.
I will pretend to be reading.

"I trusted you, cruel man."

"I loved you,
and thought you loved me."

"My plea was vain, my folly sad."

"The selfish man does not hear me!
He avoids me, has forgotten me."

"Farewell! It is better to die."

"The selfish man does not hear me!
He avoids me, has forgotten me."

"Farewell! It is better to die."

He stays silent.

He is walking away!

This book has told the truth.

Vows have wings!

Nothing can call them back
to the heart of a faithless man.

They flee at dawn!

The day that sees them arrive
also sees them vanish.

Only yesterday my soul thrilled...

...thrilled to hear his promises.

Eternal stars and azure skies,
he made you witnesses of his vow!

It was not you I should have doubted.

Vows have wings!

Nothing can call them back
to the heart of a faithless man.

They flee at dawn!

The day that sees them arrive
also sees them vanish.

I thought I would find my son with you.

Why these tears?

Answer me!

Do you know the secret
that troubles him so?

I know nothing.
He has been avoiding me.

The love he promised you....

Useless promise!

Alas, Hamlet has forgotten me,
forgotten his love!

Majesty, allow me to leave the court
and go into exile far away.

In God I wish to seek a refuge.

Leave? No, he loves you!

He has pledged you his heart!

You have not lost his tenderness!

This obstacle between your hearts
comes from neither him nor you.

I saw an eerie light
flash across his gloomy face.

He seems to be following a ghost
floating through the air.

I called to him! He shuddered!
He could see my terror!

With a look of disgust,
he disdained the hand I offered him.

I am afraid!

Do not leave me, Ophelia!
A mother implores you!

Only you can cure his madness.

Do not leave me, Ophelia!
A mother implores you!

Only you can cure his madness.

Only you can calm his heart.

Ophelia, don't leave.
I am so afraid!

I shall obey you, madame.

The king is coming. Leave me.

Your son's soul is deeply disturbed.

It is caused by a weak mind.

Perhaps he has discovered the truth.

No, thank heaven, not a suspicion.

God spare me the shame of having
one day to tell my son...

...the son I carried in my arms...

...of the terrible thing I have done,
so hateful and cursed.

The memory of it haunts me, crushes me!

I tell you, he knows nothing.

And me? Can I forget
a past filled with terror?

In his final hour, in death's grip,
I watched him rise up before us.

One last effort, threatening, pale.

I still see him like that!

Madame, lower your voice!

Always threatening and pale.
I see him still!

Lower your voice.

Do not speak of the souls of the dead.

Let them stay shrouded in gloom.

The dead do not awaken.
They do not return.

They do! They rise again,
and pursue us!

They hound us, haggard, bloodied,
ready to punish us.

Haunting, always haunting our memory!

Oh, God!

Silence!

What foolish fear has hold of you?

You faint-hearted woman!

You will destroy us both!

Silence, I told you. Be silent!

Terror has me in its clutches.
It chills my heart.

A foolish fear has hold of you,
you weak and silly woman.

You fainthearted woman!
Silence, I told you. Be silent!

You will destroy us both!

-Both of us are guilty.
-Hold your tongue!

My son.

Silence!

Dear Hamlet.

Sire!

Call me Father!

Sire, my father is dead.

I cherish his memory, Hamlet.
In his name I offer you my hand.

His is lifeless and cold.

His memory has been effaced.
Tomorrow no one will know his name.

My son!

My name is Hamlet!

Are you looking for Ophelia?

So young and beautiful.

Beauty...youth...

...in a single day, they vanish!

If you have severed your sweet bond
with her, what keeps you here?

Travel to France or to Italy...

...and our good wishes will follow you.

Yes, to look at the clouds!

Like a silver ship,
unfurling its white sails.

I would like to travel with them-
the sky, the stars, the lightning!

A senseless wish!

Listen, Hamlet, festive music!

Leave your dream behind
and hold your head up!

I wish I could console you.

By my faith, you shall be the audience
for a pantomime I have arranged.

I have summoned a company of players,
talented clowns and mimes...

...who will act out a story for you.

Let them perform this very evening.

We leave it in your hands, Hamlet.

He knows nothing.

I am afraid!

My father!

Patience!

The actors you sent for, my lord.

Welcome, gentlemen, to Elsinore!

Believing his victim has risen again,
many a murderer confesses.

Here is what I wish you to perform.

The queen is anxious,
her son unsound.

So to amuse the court and the king...

...you will play
"The Murder of Gonzago."

I shall say when to pour the poison.

Just wait for my signal.

Until then, enjoy yourselves!

Drink! Laugh! Sing!

Here, pages! Bring wine!

Everything else, friends, is false!

Myself, I await your performance.

Ah! The honor is ours, my lord!

Let wine lighten my heavy heart!

Drunken dreams!
Mocking laughter!

Enchanting drink, come fill me
with delirium and oblivion!

Fill me with delirium and oblivion!

Wild elixir! Drown our hearts!

He wants wine to help him forget.

Life is grim, the years are brief.

Only God knows what joy is left us.

Each of us carries his heavy chain!

Cruel duty and despair of the soul!

Stay back, dark omens!

The wisest among us are the madmen!

Let wine lighten my heavy heart!

Drunken dreams!
Mocking laughter!

Enchanting drink, come fill me
with delirium and oblivion!

Fill me with delirium and oblivion!

Wild elixir! Drown our hearts!

My beauty,
allow me my place at your knee.

Prince, your look frightens me!

Now is the moment!
Watch the king!

If he turns pale, tell me.

Old King Gonzago and his Guinevere.

She leads him to a remote pavilion.

Sweet words of love we cannot hear
drip from her lips.

The king grows weary.

He falls asleep in her arms.

But look! The traitor approaches!

The tempting demon!

Closer he comes, holding the poison!

The queen has bewitched him.

She hands him the fatal cup.

He takes it...

...and pours death into the old king.

It is done!
God receives his soul!

And the murderer,
calmly stands there.

In broad daylight,
he takes the crown...

...and sets it on his own wicked head!

Sire, you grow pale!

Away with these monstrous actors!

There is no doubt!

Kill the murderer! Kill the villain!

You saw him!
It was he who poured the poison!

What is he saying?
Is he mad?

Hamlet! My son!

Treason!

Avenge the death of the king
by killing the culprit!

There! Look!
Do you see him?

He insults heaven,
defies God Almighty!

And the royal crown upon his head!

Down with you, liar!
Off, illicit crown!

O mortal offense!

Blind insanity...

...that chills every heart with fear!

O mortal offense!

Blind insanity that chills the heart!

We are trembling with fear!

In his rage, he is defiant.

He dares to insult...

...insult the sacred majesty of the king!

What has he done?
He is mad!

Our hearts are cold with fear!

He insults the king!

He insults his mother and the king!
He defies the majesty of the king!

Let wine lighten my heavy heart!

Drunken dreams! Mocking laughter!

O mortal offense! Blind insanity
that chills every heart with fear!

In his rage, he is defiant,
insulting the sacred majesty of the king!

This is an outrage!

O wine, bring oblivion to my heart.

Our hearts are cold with fear!

Bring oblivion to my heart.

Give me a torch! Follow me!

O frightful day!

I could have killed that fiend,
and I did not.

What is it I am waiting for?

Do I doubt his guilt? No.

Why then delay and let time slip by?

Alas! What of you now, my father?

To be or not to be.

Oh, the mystery.

To die...to sleep.

Oh, to find you again!

If only I could break my bond
to this earth!

Then?

What is the undiscovered country...

...from which no traveler ever returns?

To be or not to be.

Oh, the mystery.

To die...to sleep.

The mystery.

To die...

...to sleep...

...perchance to dream!

Who dares follow me here?

The king!
God delivers him to me!

Why did I think I could evade my remorse?

My brother's fate is one I envy!

He has eternal life.

I have sent my soul to eternal death!

He offers himself to my dagger!

I beg of you, brother.

If you hear me, if you see me...

...appease the wrath of the God
who judges even kings!

Useless effort!
Senseless hopes!

My words fly up.

My thoughts remain below.

God does not hear me.

My thoughts remain below.

Alas, God does not hear me.

I beg of you, brother.

If you hear me, if you see me,
appease the wrath...

...of the God who judges even kings!

He is at prayer.
Repentance could yet save his soul.

Not when he is on his knees,
but when he is on his throne.

That is when I must strike!

A ghost! I have seen him in the gloom!
Oh, terror! I have seen him!

Polonius, come here!

Sire, why do you cry out?

There! I saw him!
Like a shadow.

The ghost of the late king!

Control yourself,
and calm your fear!

Beware, lest you betray us
in front of others.

Come!

So Polonius is his accomplice...
the father of Ophelia.

Oh, God! Why did I have to hear
this dreadful revelation?

There he is!

I will try to read his thoughts.

Dear Hamlet, because of my concern,
and by order of the king...

...the marriage altar has been readied.

Here is your betrothed.

Not a word.

He will not look at me.

What torture! What anguish!

Her father helped commit the crime
I am sworn to punish.

They are waiting for us. Come!

May heaven itself collapse...

...before this ill-fated wedding occurs!

A dark flame burns in his eyes!

Get thee to a nunnery, Ophelia!

May your heart forget forever
this dream that lasted but a day.

A woman who believes
that Hamlet loves her is mad!

My soul is stone,
and deaf to the sighs of love.

How can you forget, my son,
those sweet features.

The eyes of your beloved.

Can you forget her promises
or your vows?

Nothing looks back at me
from my frozen soul!

On your knees you swore your love,
which opened my heart.

And this ring you gave me...

...does it mean nothing now?

On your knees you swore your love.

Does it mean nothing now?

I can remember none of that.

A horrible truth now lies between us.

If you love me no longer,
take back this ring.

Ophelia!

The lost happiness!

Your name brings tears to his eyes.
He does remember!

He loves you!

A nunnery.
Go, Ophelia!

Forget forever the dream of a day.

He pushes her away so pitilessly!

What dark confusion!
He must be mad!

What of glory, honor, virtue, grace?

They all vanish in a day!

Can this be the Hamlet who loved me?

His soul is closed to dreams of love.

Doubt seizes my terrified heart.

Can this be the Hamlet who loved me?

Hamlet, my grief is immense.

There is more anger than madness
in what you say.

But forget Ophelia.
Forget your love.

For pity's sake, listen to your mother...

...who may be unable to save your life!

You have gravely offended your father.

Which of us
has offended my father, madame?

-What are you saying?
-Blotted out the memory, yes?

No! The memory haunts you!

You speak as if you have lost your mind.

And you speak like a guilty woman!

My son!

Remember who I am!

I know too well.

You are my mother!

The queen!

Driven by a mad passion
into the arms of her husband's brother.

No, you will not leave!
You will stay here, madame!

Look into the depths of your soul
and see yourself!

Good God, do you want to kill me?

No, Mother.

I will not anticipate
the judgment of heaven.

What can be more criminal than to kill
a king in order to marry his brother!

Kill a king?

That was my word.

So then....

You are silent?

Have you no response?

Let your corrupted heart
weep over the vows you betrayed.

No longer do you stand before a son.
Bow before your judge, O guilty queen!

You make me shudder!
I am trembling!

May the tenderness of my son
protect me from this judge.

Heaven pities a mother's tears.

Son, I hold out these desperate hands!

Your hands poured the poison.

Grief is driving me mad! My son!

Grief is driving me mad!

Look now on these portraits.

The two brothers, madame.

Here....

Grace and nobility.

Courage and loyalty.

The virtues that make a man a king!

This was once your husband!

There, all the crimes on this earth!

Hypocrisy, fear, murder, adultery.

All gathered in one man!

This is now your husband!

This is what your heart chose.
This is the festering monster...

...the demon from hell,
whom you chose as your husband!

Have pity, my son! Spare me!

Summon your king to defend you!

Pity! Spare me!

Forgive me! Your words tear me apart!
Do you want me to die in despair?

Hamlet, do not be so cruel!
Your mother crawls at your feet.

Do you want me to die in despair?

Hamlet, do not be so cruel!

Your words tear me apart!

You see your mother at your feet.

That assassin!

That villain.

He replaces my father!

Oh, God!

Forgive me, Hamlet!

A veil of blood before my eyes!

Hamlet!

God! Powers divine!

Angels in heaven,
cover me with your wings!

Speak! What do you want of me?

Oh, fatal madness!

Dear and terrible ghost, do you come
to stir the wrath of a craven son?

Oh, speak!

Remember...but spare your mother!

You are staring into the emptiness.

With whom are you speaking?

To him! Him!

Turn away from me,
lest I lose my resolve.

Your tears would soften my rage.

No! No tears! Only blood!

There, in front of me!
There! Do you see him?

No. You make my blood run cold.

Do you not hear him?

No, nothing.

The ghost!
Look now. Over there!

Silent and somber.

He is leaving.

He is crossing the threshold!

Remember me!

In heaven's name, Hamlet,
put this apparition out of your mind!

No, do not suppose I am mad!

My anger has been calmed
by my father's voice.

Repent.

And pray.

Sleep in peace, Mother.

Oh, night of terror!
Night of dread and horror!

Who would think to look for me here?

No one has followed me.
I left the castle at dawn.

The earth was still moist
with the night's tears.

The lark, up before the sun,
was soaring through the air!

But why are you whispering?
Do you not recognize me?

Hamlet is my husband...
and I am Ophelia!

A tender vow joins us.
We have given each other our hearts.

If anyone tells you he has
forgotten or fled from me...

...do not believe it!

No, Hamlet is my husband.

And I am Ophelia!

If he ever betrayed my faith,
I would go mad!

Let us give these flowers away!

Remember me by these.

And these are for you.

Hearken now to my song!

Pale and blonde, deep in the lake,
spirits of abandoned brides awake.

May God above keep the men who wait
at the blue water's edge too late.

Happy the bride in a husband's arms.

In my soul I envy her tender charms.

Nymph with gentle eye of flame,
asleep in the lake, without blame.

The siren comes to drag you, awake,
under the waters of the sleeping lake.

The darkness casts its magic spell.
White star, sweet friend, farewell!

Happy the bride in a husband's arms.

In my soul I envy her tender charms.

The silent waves alone will tell.
Alas, my friend, farewell, farewell!

Dear lover! Sweet vow!

Tender promise!
Happiness all mine!

Ah, cruel man! I love you!

Cruel man, you see my tears!

For you I am dying!

There he is!

I think I hear him!

To punish him for forcing me to wait...

...you pale nymphs of the water...

...hide me among your reeds!

Doubt the light, doubt the sun.

But never doubt my love!

Lady or lord, man or woman...

...all descend to the realm of the dead.

Earth receives the body.

May God receive the soul.

Here all is in vain.
Love, riches, glory.

Except the pleasure of drinking!

Real life is...wine!

Young or old, dark or blond...

...each one has his turn.

Night follows day.
That's nature's law.

Here all is in vain.
Love, riches, glory...

...except the pleasure of drinking!
Real life is...wine!

Even death grows familiar!

Listen to them singing.

For whom are you digging this pit?

For one who will be mourned
with useless regrets.

His name?

They told us...

...but I no longer remember!

Night follows day.
That's nature's law.

The abode where no one lives!

Oh, the dead whom we have known!

Weariness weighs me down.

The cold overwhelms me.

For two days I have wandered
to escape my assassins.

Yes, the king would quench his rage
with my blood.

Horatio will serve my purpose.

I delayed but did not forget it.

I have forgotten nothing!

Not even Ophelia, poor child!

Her love was like a fatal poison.

It ruined her youth and her mind.

Like a pale flower that bloomed
at the icy edge of a grave...

...under the burden of sorrow,
your heart trembled and was crushed.

Forced by God to share my fate.

Forgive me.

My cruel rejection condemned you.

Your troubled soul longs for heaven.

Alas, forgive me!

Here are my tears, dear Ophelia!

Forgive me!

But who approaches in the shadows?

Horatio?

Laertes!

You hesitate, Prince?

How is it you do not greet a friend
with an eager hand?

Yes, I have returned. It is I!

And what brings you here?

You dare ask me that, villain?

You cannot fool me with gentleness.

Answer me, Hamlet!

What have you done to Ophelia?

Oh, dearest sister! Endless grief!

Could I have believed,
when I shook your hand like a brother...

...that you did not love her?

Laertes, may heaven protect you!

Do you think you can escape
without spilling my blood?

Your blood? No!

A father's crime must not be held
against an innocent son.

Perjurer!

This is too much!

Defend yourself!
Let God judge between us!

Listen!

People are approaching!

The funeral procession!

Who has died? Answer me!

Alas! Then you do not know!

As a budding flower...

...is beaten down by a freezing wind...

...she has died, young and beautiful.

Under the breeze of spring.

A budding flower...

...she has died, young and beautiful.

She has died.

Let us pray for her!

To heaven's breast
God has called her back.

Ophelia!

Dead! Cold!
They are guilty!

Their evil schemes have killed you!

I have lost you!

No! Merciful God, keep us together!

I will die!

God! My vow!

It is he!

A ghastly horror!

The ghost of the late king
standing before our very eyes!

Terrifying and threatening!

Even death obeys the will of heaven.

I read in his look the will of heaven.

Mercy!

The time for mercy is past.
Son, finish what you have begun!

Strengthen my arm that
I may pierce him to the heart!

Guide my blow!

The king!

No! The murderer!

The murderer of my father!

Ophelia, I die with you!