Hamnet (2025)

[bunniefuu]

There you go.

There. You were hungry.

That's it.

Repeat.

Good day, sir.

Good day to you.

What brings you to Hewlands?

I'm tutoring the boys here.

The Latin tutor.

I've heard of you.

What brought you

into the garden?

Uh...

It's just a question,

master tutor.

Yes, I, uh...

I suppose the air was fresh

out here, and...

uh, I saw you with your bird.

-It's a hawk.

-Ah.

May I?

Don't get too close.

He doesn't know you.

Oh.

Hello, boy.

Ah.

He likes you.

What is your name?

I shan't tell you.

You shall.

I shan't.

-You shall.

-I won't.

You'll tell me when we kiss.

What are you doing?

Agnes.

My name is Agnes.

Where are you from?

Have I said something?

-Huh?

-No.

-You don't know who I am.

-Wait, I wish to see...

You can't see me again.

Oh.

Where have you been?

I was in the field

helping Bartholomew.

A newborn lamb is unwell.

Well, I... I went to the field.

I did not see you there.

Well, I was there.

Tell her, Bartholomew.

She was there.

Have you seen

the new Latin tutor?

The glover's son.

The boys said he just ran out,

never returned.

He was supposed

to give them lessons

to pay off his father's debts.

I haven't seen him.

Well, should've known better.

Like father, like son.

You know, I do believe you are

the prettiest girls

in the parish.

-We are.

-One day,

I shall have my wits about me

for all the suitors

that will come for you.

Agnes is the eldest.

She'll marry first.

She will not if she keeps

running off to the forest

like a gypsy.

Where have you been?

We were expecting you hours ago.

-I was...

-Well?

I was working.

Sit. Sit.

Your supper's near cold.

-Uh, boys, boys!

-Hey. -Stop.

There's enough for all.

How go the lessons at Hewlands?

Those boys are no scholars.

-I wonder at the notion

of all that learning. -Hmm.

Latin for boys who will be

naught but sheep farmers.

-It is the putting on of airs.

-No, no, no!

-That will do!

-All right, Gilbert.

You heard your mother.

There's enough for all.

You speak ill of the boys

at Hewlands.

"They're no scholars."

But I tell you something,

they'll ever be more of a man

than you are.

They are put to honest work,

unlike you.

Useless, tradeless,

your fancy airs.

All that education,

not an ounce of sense.

I'm tutoring those boys to pay

your debts to that family,

am I not?

Your immeasurable

amount of debt to that family.

-I'm not...

-Stop!

What of the rest of the family

at Hewlands? Have you met them?

The mother only.

-Not the eldest daughter?

-No.

It is said the girl is

the child of a forest witch.

I've seen her,

wandering the back roads alone

with a hawk on her arm.

A hawk at Hewlands?

Yes.

They say she takes him to the

forest with her unaccompanied.

Yeah, but are you certain,

Eliza?

The eldest daughter keeps

a hawk, not a servant girl?

Yes. Yeah.

Agnes.

Hello.

What are you doing here?

Brought you this.

What is it?

It's, uh...

it's a new glove for your bird.

I have a glove.

Agnes.

Agnes, wait.

I know who you are.

Who am I?

Well, I... I don't know you,

but I've heard things...

I'm the daughter

of a forest witch?

Yes. People say that,

but I-I don't care...

I am my mother's daughter.

I've learnt many things

from her.

What are you looking at?

-You.

-Why?

-I... -I thought you were a man

of words, master tutor.

Yes.

Are you not?

Speaking with people is

sometimes difficult for me.

Well, tell me a story, then.

-A story?

-Yes.

What story would you like?

Something that moves you.

All right.

Do you know the story

of Orpheus and Eurydice?

Orpheus is a man of music.

He has this exquisite voice.

His playing of the kithara,

which is a...

is-is a harp-like lyre,

is so divine,

birds, the...

the beasts, e-even the stones

and the trees,

they all moved

to the rhythm of his music.

Now, Orpheus falls in love with

this beautiful nymph, Eurydice.

Soon after their marriage,

Eurydice's bitten by a viper

and poison courses

through her body,

and she's k*lled.

And Orpheus, filled with grief,

journeys to the underworld

to take her back.

He charms this

three-headed dog, Cerberus.

He beguiles Hades

until finally...

...he's allowed to take

his love back with him

to the world

of the living but...

...under one condition.

What is it?

She must follow behind him,

and he must not turn around

to look at her.

Now, as they begin their ascent,

Orpheus can't hear

her footsteps, so he listens...

...and listens and listens

and listens.

But all he can hear is

the sound of his heartbeat.

And the rest is silence.

And as he approaches

the gates of the underworld...

...he can't contain himself

any longer.

He turns around to look at her,

and she is...

...trapped in the underworld

forever.

Hmm.

That was a good story.

Did you like it?

Remember, mugwort,

what you brought to pass,

what you readied at Regenmeld.

You're called Una,

the most ancient plant.

You defy three, you defy 30,

you defy venom,

you defy air illness,

you defy the horror

that st*lks the land.

And you, waybread, plant mother,

you're open to the east

yet mighty within.

Carts creeped over you,

women rode over you.

You withstood it all,

and you pushed back.

Is it true that you

know everything about a person

by touching them here?

Not everything.

When you touched me here,

what did you see?

I saw a landscape.

-You saw a landscape?

-Mm-hmm.

Spaces, caves, cliff tops,

tunnels and oceans,

this deep, dark, black void,

undiscovered countries.

She speaks...

She speaks, she speaks.

But, soft,

what light through

yonder window breaks?

It is the east,

and Juliet is the sun.

...and k*ll...

...the envious moon.

Hello.

Hello.

I wish to be handfasted to you.

No, I... I must be

handfasted to you.

No one else will do.

I-I will speak with your

stepmother and your brother,

and of course

they will not agree, but...

I don't care because

I have no talent for waiting.

I cannot abide waiting.

What about your parents?

Your parents will never agree.

Follow me.

Wait. Wait. W-Wait.

-No!

-No!

My glove.

-This is my mother's glove.

-Hmm.

She came out of the woods...

...like her mother

and her mother before her.

The women in my family

see things...

...that others don't.

Agnes.

ROWAN and YOUNG AGNES:

Remember, mugwort,

what you brought to pass,

what you readied at Regenmeld.

You're called Una,

the most ancient plant.

You defy three, you defy 30,

you defy venom,

you defy air illness,

you defy the horror

that st*lks the land.

Bartholomew, it will heal.

Will it make a scar?

It may. That's no bad thing.

Listen.

Do you hear that?

You must pay attention

to your dreams, Agnes.

They will always guide you.

-Good day.

-Good day.

Yes.

Agnes, what's, uh...

what's happened?

Her mother has banished her

from their house.

She's not my mother.

The house belongs

to my brother, Bartholomew.

I chose to leave.

She's with child.

Oh.

Says it's yours.

-Is it? Yours?

-Uh...

The child in her belly,

did you put it there?

I did.

-We are handfasted, Mother.

-We will never allow it!

-There is no sin in it.

-I'm afraid you will need

-our consent, and we will...

-There is no sin in it!

-...we will never give it, ever!

-All right!

What?

-You've been bewitched.

-No.

I'd rather you went to sea

than marry this wench.

Mary.

There's no need for that.

I have no doubt

we can come to an arrangement.

-John.

-Hush, woman.

I am certain you are eager

to see your sister

before the altar.

I'm certain you'd rather not

see your boy

dragged before the bawdy court.

There's no need for that.

They said they are handfasted.

Only if I say so.

But why marry

a pasty-faced scholar?

What use is he?

He's got more inside of him

than any man I've ever met.

Everything will change.

You. You will change.

I'm already changing.

It's too quiet in there.

In where?

That house.

What would our mother say to us

if we were afraid or uncertain?

To live with our hearts open.

To shut it not in the dark

but to turn it to the sun.

He loves me for what I am,

not what I ought to be.

Then marry him you shall.

Thank you.

Remember, mugwort...

Say it with me. Say it with me.

What you brought to pass,

what you readied at Regenmeld.

You are called Una,

the most ancient plant.

You defy three, you defy 30,

you defy venom,

you defy air illness,

you defy the horror

that st*lks the land.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Agnes.

Ah.

Oh.

Oh.

Hey.

Look at that. Look at the fire.

Mmm, what's that?

The doggy dragged something in.

There's something.

Oh.

Daddy's coming.

Hello.

Stitches need to be smaller.

M-Much smaller.

Yes.

Hmm.

Useless.

Okay, and now...

smaller.

-Where are you going?

-I'm going.

Get back to work.

That was the last time

you will ever hit me.

Do you understand?

-Do you understand?!

-Yes.

My love, you should

come back to bed.

What are you writing?

Nothing of note.

It's never nothing.

I don't know.

Perhaps when it's finished,

it will...

Perhaps when it's finished.

Why don't you read me

what you've written?

A-Agnes, it's not--

It-It's not finished.

It's not finished.

Stop it. You'll wake the baby.

It's okay.

No.

I'm sorry.

I've had too much, uh...

Agnes, I've had

too much to drink.

I've had...

I've had too much to drink.

Hey.

What is it?

Give me your hand.

Pl-Pl-Please, please,

please, please,

please, please, please, please.

-What are you afraid I will see?

-Please stop.

That I am a violent

and dangerous man.

No, you are

none of those things.

-How do you know?

-You're a good man. You're a...

You are a good man.

You're a good man.

Is it that you wish

that we never wed?

How could you say such a thing?

How could you say such a thing?

You and Susanna are

all that I live for.

All that I live for.

What is it, then?

-Here. Look at me.

-Just stop!

Stop, stop. Please, please,

please, please, please, please.

Look at me.

Listen. Listen. Listen.

I'm lost.

I've lost my...

I've lost my way.

I just need to--

uh, Agnes, I just need to work.

He's not sleeping.

-Has he ever lost

his temper with you? -No.

-If he raises a hand...

-No, he has never.

He's never.

He's angry with himself.

He's sick with himself.

He's a good man.

He's a good husband,

he's a good father,

but he n-needs more.

What could he possibly need

other than his family and you?

-He has you.

-He needs to go to London.

-London?

-Yeah.

-Why London? -Because London is

where the whole world gathers.

Perhaps he could extend

his father's business there.

-Oh, you're being hasty again.

-Who knows what he may be...

I'm not being hasty.

He needs more.

-Well, he needs proper work.

-He's not of this world.

The man needs proper work.

-What's in this little town?

-He can't just run away.

This little life?

This little thing, it'll...

...crush him.

He needs distance

from his father.

And you would go with him

to London?

No, I'll wait

until he's settled.

There'll be more of us soon.

-Another child?

-Yes. By summer's end.

Then now is not

the time to send him away.

I'll lose him.

I'm already losing him.

You'll lose him

if you send him away.

No, I know, I know that

our love will keep us steady.

Please.

Will you speak to his father?

He'll listen to you if you

suggest him going to London.

Please.

I should find lodgings.

Be near the river,

close to the tanneries.

But I'm told that the currents

in the river are dangerous

and that you must engage

an experienced boatman

every time you cross,

and I'll be certain to do that

every time, I promise.

And I will think of you

and Susanna

with every passing moment.

And I will find us

lodgings in London,

and we shall all be

together again.

Do you still not know

if it's a boy or a girl?

No.

Don't know why.

Have you not said that you would

always have two children?

Yes.

Two children at my deathbed.

Well, then, here is the second.

-We won't say goodbye.

-No.

Get-- Go.

-You going somewhere?

-No, I'm just...

Yes, I'm going to the lake...

You're not going to the forest.

-I must.

-No, you must not. Gilbert!

You... you have to let me

go there.

-Let me go there!

-Miss Agnes.

-You must let me go!

-The river has burst its banks!

-There is no way...

-Let me!

-There's no way to get

to the forest. -Let me! No!

-We have everything ready

for you. -My baby!

No, my-my baby.

I can't.

I will not have my baby

in this house.

Not in this house.

No.

The river.

-Hush, hush, hush, hush. Hush.

-No, no, no, no.

He spoke about the river.

The river is dangerous.

He may be swept downstream!

Agnes. Agnes. Agnes.

Agnes, all is well with him.

Do you not recall

his last letter?

Stop the screaming.

You'll wake the whole town.

He sound...

He sounded different.

No, he had good news for us.

-The theater.

-Theater.

He has a contract

with the players

to make gloves for the theater.

For the gloves. For the gloves.

Agnes, hush now.

Hush. Hush. Hush.

Bear down. Bear down.

Ah! Ooh!

-There we go.

-It's a boy.

There we go.

Good boy. Good boy.

It's a boy.

It's a boy.

My boy.

Thank you.

What is it? What's happening?

She's starting again.

-You're having twins, my girl.

-Come on, Eliza.

Here. Quickly.

Take him.

No, no.

Two standing at my deathbed.

I always believed

that it would be...

that they would be my children.

And now...

now I see it will be you.

We need to get you to the stool.

It's coming. It's here.

-No.

-Come on. Come on up. Up, up.

I can't... I...

I can't.

-Go.

-I should never have...

I can't...

I can't make it.

I got it wrong. I got it wrong.

I got it...

He... He's not here.

He's... He's not here.

Agnes, you can...

and you must.

I cannot.

Agnes.

You can...

and you will.

Your husband was born here

in this room.

He took his first breath

there by the window.

Please.

Please let this child live.

Let this child live. Please.

Will you let him...

Let him come back

and be with his child.

Please.

Let him think kindly

of me always.

Remember me.

Mama.

Mama.

Mum?

Just too weak.

She was in too much pain.

I mean, poor woman.

She just got weaker and weaker.

I mean, that's just

the way of it sometimes.

She-she must have known

the end was nigh.

Best not speak of her

to the children.

Safer with a different mother.

So young.

They may not remember her.

-Mum!

-Agnes. Agnes.

-Mama, no!

-No, no. Agnes.

Child. Child.

-Mummy, no!

-No, no, no. Ch-Ch-Ch-- No.

-No!

-No.

-No, let me see her!

-No, no!

-Let me see her!

-No!

No, Mama!

-Agnes.

-No!

Mum. I want, I want my mum.

I want my...

Oh! Here we go! It's a girl!

It's a girl. She's...

It's... Wait.

Come on. Come on.

Why is she not crying?

Why is she not crying?

She lives not.

Let me have her.

You should not look

upon her. It's bad luck.

Give her to me.

I'll make sure

it gets a decent burial.

Give me my child!

My child.

Agnes, you have a baby boy.

Let me bring him to you,

and you may feed him.

The girl has gone to heaven.

She's not gone to heaven.

I made a vow

the night my mother died.

I will go to your church,

but I shan't say a word there.

Yes. Yes.

You will live.

You will live.

I will make sure

nothing ever takes you away.

I actually couldn't find it.

Hmm.

Here.

Perfect.

I found my hat.

Okay. Yes.

Okay, take that side.

Take that side.

Yeah.

And put it around here.

Perfect.

-Ooh. Sorry.

-Let me help you.

It's down my face.

-I'm Hamnet.

-I'm Hamnet.

-I'm Judith.

-I'm Judith.

There will be no running

in this house.

Conduct yourselves,

please, as...

gentlewomen and gentlemen.

Where are you going?

Yeah. He's-he's coming.

He's coming.

Hello.

Hello.

We all know

they've swapped clothes.

How long are we going

to pretend we don't?

We'll pretend for as long as

they think they're the same.

Hi.

Father, will you help me

with the Greek passage

from yesterday's lesson?

Hamnet, I thought

you'd already learnt it.

I didn't because

I left my primer at school.

Well, Hamnet,

you need to take

your studies seriously.

How do you expect to improve

if you're not...

You rascals.

-Did we trick you?

-Of course you did.

You swapped places

to hoodwink me again.

Susanna, come here.

Come here.

Now, do you remember the thing

we were going to do

for your mother?

-Yeah. -You remember?

You ready to do it? -Yeah.

Okay. Go outside quickly.

Go, go, go, go,

go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go.

-Just step toward...

-Wait.

One st--

Come to your right. Step.

Step. One more.

One more.

When shall we three meet again?

In thunder, lightning

or in rain?

When hurly-burly's done,

when the battle's lost and won!

That will be ere at set of sun.

-Where the place?

-Upon the heath.

There to meet with Agnes.

I come, Graymalkin.

Paddock calls.

Anon!

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Hover through the...

Well done!

That was amazing!

Dig it deep, and then

you move all of it to the side,

and then you put it down here.

Right? And then you get

the soil around the sides,

and then you pat it more.

And then you get bits like that.

And you rub it in your hands.

Whoa. And then back!

Do this.

And when you're

doing this, circle.

Yeah, like that.

Ready?

Forward. And back.

Now, parry, parry, parry.

Good. Again.

Now, after that one,

I'm gonna do this,

and you get out of the way.

Ready? Circle off.

Spin your sword.

No.

Circle, spin your sword.

Now, come forward.

And go back.

One, two three.

Out of the way!

Very good. Again.

Judith, what's this one called?

-Thyme. Thyme.

-Rosemary.

-Thyme. Thyme. Thyme.

-Thyme. Thyme.

-I got it mixed up.

-That's okay.

This one...

-Now, that's rosemary.

-Yeah.

And what is rosemary for?

-Putting it in apples.

-Apples.

No. Rosemary's for?

Remembering.

Remembering.

Now, you're to rub

all this in your hands.

You blow a little wish.

To wish him on his way.

Yeah?

And it's your secret with him.

Did you see him?

Did you not see him in the sky?

All right, do it again.

Make another wish.

Look. Right up there.

Look, just there.

Did you see him?

And he's got all your wishes

tucked in his little heart.

So any time that you want

to remember him,

you just have to go...

Where are you going?

Huh? I'm gonna catch you!

I'm gonna catch you!

Father?

Is all well?

Yes.

Listen, I want you to stay away

from your grandfather.

He'll not hit your sisters,

but it's you that I worry for,

and I need to know that you'll

be safe when I'm not here.

You're going back

to London again?

Yes, tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

It's all right.

Will we go with you this time?

No, not yet.

Hey.

I'll miss you.

But I have to go,

you understand? I...

I know.

I understand.

That's good.

'Cause I need you to look after

your mother and your sisters.

Will you do that?

Yes.

-Will you be brave?

-Yes.

Yes?

-Will you be brave?

-Yes.

Will you be brave?!

-Huh?!

-Yes! Yes, I'll be brave!

I'll be brave. I'll be brave.

I've looked at houses

for us in London.

-Autumn is coming.

-Mm.

And the children will fall ill.

Judith, she's still

not strong enough.

She often gets congestion

in her chest.

And the air in London is...

We can't.

But one day soon, we will.

We will come to London with you.

No, you won't.

You'll never come.

You've waited for

the heat of summer to pass...

...the dryness of autumn,

the snow and the cold.

You do not believe that Judith

will ever survive London.

You'd do anything in your power

to keep that child alive.

Isn't that what a mother

is supposed to do?

Of course it is.

So...

...I've decided to look

for land outside Stratford.

That's where you should live

with the children.

-Thank you.

-Mm-hmm.

Ooh!

Where is she? Ah!

Hamnet. There he is.

Come here.

I love you.

I love you. I love you.

All right. Love you.

-Come on.

-Love you.

Love you.

Oh.

All right. Come here.

-Remember what I told you, okay?

-Okay.

Good boy.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Bye.

Hamnet?

Oh.

Come on. Come here.

Show me your hand.

What? What do you see?

I see you.

Grown.

And very strong.

And I see you in London

working with your father.

-In the theater?

-Yes.

At the playhouse.

What will I be doing?

What do you wish to do, Hamnet?

I should be one of the players

with a sword.

A sword?

Yes.

And I shall clash it against

the sword of the other player.

Show me.

There'll be a terrible fight,

and everybody watching will be

frightened out of their wits.

And who will win?

I shall, of course.

Of course you shall.

Something has upset them.

What could it be?

The weather?

Something in the air, perhaps?

Best tell Joan to keep

the children inside today.

Judith?

Judith?

Where are you?

Wake up!

The baker told me

her cat had kittens.

We need to see them.

There's eight, Judith. Eight!

We need to hurry.

It's going to rain.

Judith?

Jude?

What's wrong?

What's wrong, Judith?

Judith, answer me.

Judith, wake up.

Judith, please. Judith.

-What is it?

-It's Judith.

How long has she been like this?

Since I returned from school.

Oh, my God.

She's got it.

Hasn't she?

She's got the pestilence.

Hasn't she, Mama?

Go find your grandmother.

Bid her to come.

Now!

She's burning up.

We need, um, more water.

Make a bigger fire

and heat up more water.

-We need warm water.

-Eliza, fetch more water

and bring the Bellis

from the kitchen.

A row of cinnamon.

Cinnamon, that's good

for drawing out the heat.

Pineweed or a rue. Thyme, yes.

You'll find them in the room.

-Mama. Yeah. -The

other table. The other side.

Yeah, Mama's here, my love.

Here, drink this.

It's rosemary and jelly.

All will be well, hmm?

All will be well.

Judith, stay with.

Mama's here.

It's okay. Mama's here.

Rhubarb. We need rhubarb

to purge the stomach,

drive out the pestilence.

Can you go and fetch some?

Mama's here. It's okay.

Judith, we're all here.

Susanna, draw some water, too.

Hamnet and...

and Mary and Susanna.

Draw water as soon as you can.

Why isn't he here?

Eliza, go write to your

brother and tell him to come.

Judith.

Open your mouth, Judith.

Open your mouth.

Mama's here. That's it.

That's good.

Yes, you'll be safe.

You'll open your mouth.

Drink it down.

Swallow it down. Mama's here.

It's okay, Judith.

Mama's here. It's okay.

Okay.

Agnes.

Agnes.

You have done all that you can.

I will not let her cross over.

Grandmama, you had

three daughters that were taken.

Were they...

Were they like Judith?

Anne was seven.

The other two were just babies.

They all had swellings and...

...fever like Judith.

Your mother's trying to...

keep a grip on her child.

It won't work.

What is given may be

taken away at any time.

We must never let

our guard down.

Never take for granted...

...that our children's

hearts beat,

that they draw breath,

that they walk and speak and...

...smile, argue, play.

Never forget for a moment

that they may be gone.

Jude.

Jude.

Don't be sad.

You shall be well.

I shall not.

Not without you.

It's here.

Do you see it, Jude?

It's watching us.

I'll tell it to take us both.

We'll go together.

Turn away.

Turn away.

It'll make a mistake.

It can't tell us apart.

Breathe with me, Judith.

I give you my life.

You shall be well.

I give you my life, Judith.

I'll be brave.

I'll be brave, Father.

I'll be brave.

I'll be brave.

I'll be brave, Father.

I'll be brave.

I'll be brave.

Whoa.

Quick as you can.

Hamnet.

Hamnet, you're not

supposed to be down here.

I need to take you up to bed.

Hamnet.

Hamnet?

Mama.

Mama.

Mama.

Hamnet.

You must open your mouth.

All will be well.

He's burning.

He's burning up.

It will not sti--

It will not stick!

A stone. There's a stone.

There's a stone upstairs

with a hole in the middle of it.

By his bedside.

Bring it down. I need it.

And, um, uh, salt. Get salt.

Get it. Can you give it?

Can you f-fetch me some salt,

as much salt as you have.

Water. We need water.

He's... he's too hot.

He's burning.

My love. Mama's here.

All will be well.

All will be well.

All will be well.

All will be well.

Hamnet, don't be scared.

No need to be scared.

All will be well. Mommy's here.

Mommy's here. It's okay.

Mommy's here.

Look at me. Mommy's here.

I will never, ever let you go.

You understand?

I will never, ever let you go.

I love you.

I love you.

Eliza, take Judith to

the kitchen and keep her there.

Please!

-He needs me!

-Stay there.

He needs me!

Please!

Valerian...

Hamnet. Hamnet. Hamnet.

Hamnet, you have to stay.

Hamnet, please.

Hamnet, please.

You have to stay with us.

Mama needs you. We need you.

-Stop! Enough!

-Stay with us. Stay, stay.

Please, Hamnet.

Hamnet, Hamnet, Hamnet.

-Let him alone!

-Hamnet, please!

Can't you see that

it's too late for him!

Please, please.

Hamnet?

Hamnet. Hamnet.

My son is gone.

My son.

I've lost my...

I saw the light,

and I couldn't sleep.

Here.

Oh, child, no.

-No, no, no. Go to bed.

-No, no, let-let her stay.

It is my fault, Mama.

-It is my fault.

-No. No.

It is not your fault, Judith.

But he changed places with me.

He tricked it.

He tricked what?

Death.

Judith.

It took him when it came for me.

Never say those words

to anyone ever again.

The fever came for your brother,

and it took him.

Do you wish to see him?

Yes.

Go on. You can see him.

Is it really him?

Yes.

It-it doesn't look like him.

No.

It's not him.

It's not.

It's not him.

It-It's-it's not morning yet.

We haven't

prepared him properly.

Am I too late?

-It's you.

-Father.

It's you.

It's me.

Where is he?

Where is...

Where...

It's my boy.

It's my boy.

I didn't see it.

I should've paid him

more attention.

I always thought

she was the one to be taken away

when all the while it was him.

I'm a fool.

No, there's nothing anyone

could have done to save him.

You did everything

that you could.

Of course I did.

You weren't here.

I would have cut my heart out

and given it to him.

I would have laid my life down

on the ground for him.

-I-I know. I know.

-And no one would take it.

-But you...

-No, you don't know.

You don't know.

You weren't here.

He died in agony.

I...

-He was in agony.

-Agnes.

He cried and he cried

-and he cried and he cried.

-Agnes, stop, stop.

And his little body was

wracked in pain.

No, don't shush me.

He was so scared.

-And you weren't here.

-I know.

I tried everything I could.

I know you did.

-I tried... -You did

everything that you could.

You did everything

that you could.

Everything.

Everything.

Agnes. Agnes.

I will send word, Agnes.

You'll send word?

-To whom?

-To you.

-I'm here.

-Mm.

What I meant was that I shall

send word when I reach London.

London?

I must leave.

Leave? How can you leave?

The world does simply not

stand still, Agnes.

There are people

waiting for me in London.

The season is about to begin,

and my company shall return

from Kent any day now.

I have to go now.

Now?

There's a traveling party

leaving today,

and they have a spare horse,

so yeah.

Look after the girls,

and I will return to--

Stop.

Don't.

Go. Go.

"When I do count the clock

"that tells the time,

"And see the brave day sunk

in hideous night;

"When I behold the violet

past prime,

"And sable curls

all silver'd o'er with white;

"When lofty trees I see

barren of leaves

"Which erst from the heat

did canopy the herd,

"And summer's green

all girded up in sheaves

"Borne on the bier

with white and bristly beard;

"Then of thy beauty

do I question make,

"Thou among

the wastes of time must go,

"Since sweets and beauties

do themselves forsake

"And die as fast

as they see others grow;

"And nothing gainst

Time's scythe can make defense

Save breed, to brave him

when he takes thee hence."

Will you read it again?

No.

I've read it three times.

That's enough.

Shall we do presents?

Presents from London.

A hair comb for you, Jude.

Mind you,

you'll have to be careful.

This is for you, Agnes.

-A ruby, is it?

-Mm-hmm.

It's the finest I've ever seen.

Everyone's talking about

the new house.

It's the biggest in Stratford.

There are so many rooms.

One could get lost.

You shall keep

the keys, Susanna.

You shall manage the house well.

Put it on, Mama.

Did Bartholomew show you

the new house?

Mm-hmm.

Do you like it?

Why didn't you show me yourself?

Were you afraid

I wouldn't leave?

'Cause Hamnet died here

in this house.

You know, I'm constantly

wondering where he is.

Or where he has gone.

Whatever I'm doing,

I'm wondering, "Where is he?"

I mean, he can't have

just vanished.

All he needs is

for me to find him.

He must be somewhere.

I fear I may run mad with it,

even now, a year on.

A year is nothing.

A year is nothing.

It's every second...

every minute, every day.

We may never stop

looking for him.

I'm sorry, Agnes.

Did you hear me?

I said that I'm sorry, Agnes.

-For what?

-For everything.

-You're caught by that place.

-For...

-What place?

-That place in your head.

It is now more real to you

than anywhere else.

Not even the death of our child

can keep you from it.

Hamnet died.

A horrible death.

And you should have been there.

You could have bid him farewell.

What do you see?

Hmm?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Nothing at all.

Oh, well.

You should go back to London.

You need not concern yourself

with us.

Get along just fine without you.

This was sometime a paradox,

but now the time gives it proof.

I did love you once.

Indeed, my lord,

you made me believe so.

You should not have

believed me,

for virtue cannot so inoculate

our old stock for...

You should not have believed me,

for virtue cannot

so inoculate our old stock

but we shall relish of it.

I loved you not.

I was the more deceived.

Get thee to a nunnery.

Why wouldst thou be

a breeder of sinners?

I am myself indifferent honest,

but yet I could accuse me

of such things

that it were better to...

Again.

Get thee to a nunnery.

Why wouldst thou be

a breeder of sinners?

I am myself

indifferent honest, but...

Again. "I am myself

indifferent honest." Again.

I am myself indifferent honest,

but yet I could accuse me of

such things that it were better

-my mother had not borne me.

-Again.

I, myself...

Again.

I, myself, am indifferent...

"I am myself."

I am myself indifferent honest,

but yet I could accuse me

of such things that it were...

Again.

But yet I could accuse me

of such things that it were...

Again!

I am myself indifferent honest,

but yet I could accuse me

of such...

You are simply

mouthing the words!

I am myself indifferent honest,

but yet I could accuse me

of such things

that it were better

my mother had not borne me.

I am very proud,

revengeful, ambitious,

with more offenses at my beck

than I have thoughts

to put them in,

imagination to give them shape

or time to act them in.

Now, what should

such fellows as I do

crawling between

heaven and earth?

We are arrant knaves all.

Believe none of us.

Go thy ways to a nunnery. Again.

To be...

...or not to be...

...that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler

in the mind to... suffer

The slings and arrows of...

...outrageous fortune...

...Or...

...to take arms against a...

...sea of troubles,

And by opposing...

...end them.

I pray that those trees

Will return my boy

For

Sweet bonny Robin

Is all my joy.

Agnes?

I... I was in town, and I...

I thought

I would pay you a visit.

I was very sorry

to hear about John's passing.

How's your husband?

It's a... it's a terrible thing

to lose one's father.

He's well.

He's very busy.

He's preparing a comedy.

His new play is not a comedy.

It's a tragedy.

But you knew that.

Everyone in town

is talking about it.

I did warn you

about marrying him.

Don't pretend

that you care for me.

You are not my mother,

and you never were.

Good day, Agnes.

He's not spoken to us

for months.

How could he...

How could he not tell us?

Do you not wonder what is in it?

In what?

The play.

Who are you looking for?

William Shakespeare.

We're his family from Stratford.

Go up the stairs.

He lives in the attic.

Why would the man with

the largest house in Stratford

be living here?

I don't understand.

I thought...

I thought he...

What shall I do?

Keep your heart open.

-Who's there?

-Nay, answer me:

stand and unfold yourself!

Long live the king!

Bernardo?

If you do meet

Horatio and Marcellus,

The rivals to my watch,

bid them make haste.

I think I hear them. Stand, h*!

Who's there?

Has this thing

appeared again tonight?

-I have seen nothing.

-Horatio says...

What are they talking about?

What has any of this to do

with my son?

These men are frightened.

Of what?

They watch for a ghost.

Ghost?

...The bell then beating one...

Peace, break thee off!

Look where it comes again!

In the same figure,

like the king that's dead.

See, it st*lks away!

That was him.

That was Will.

-He's not in the play.

-No, no.

It was Will as a ghost.

Our last king, Whose image

but now appeared to us,

Was dared to the combat;

our valiant Hamlet...

Hamlet.

Did you hear...

did you hear that?

Yes.

They said his--

they said his name.

Agnes.

-Agnes, wait.

-Out of my way!

Please be quiet.

Wait, did they say

his name? Huh?

Do not upset yourself.

Why is--

Why did he use his name?

-I don't know him.

-Quiet.

...and by my advice,

Let us impart

what we have seen tonight

Unto the young prince...

Don't you dare pronounce

my son's name!

Quiet!

...dumb to us,

will speak to him.

Though yet of

our dear brother's death,

The memory be green,

Yet so far hath discretion

fought with nature

That we with wisest sorrow

think on him,

Together with remembrance

of ourselves.

I will not stay a minute longer

to be a part of this jest.

-Wait. One moment.

-No.

-I want to go home.

-...my cousin Hamlet,

and my son...

How is it that the clouds

still hang on you?

Good Hamlet,

cast thy nighted color off.

Do not for ever

with thy vailed lids

Seek for thy noble father

in the dust.

All that lives must die,

Passing through nature

to eternity.

Ay, madam, it is common.

But I have that within

which passes show.

These are but the trappings

and the suits of woe.

To persevere

In obstinate condolement

is a course

of impious stubbornness.

'Tis unmanly grief.

It shows a will

most incorrect to heaven.

Oh.

This too, too solid flesh

would melt,

Thaw and resolve itself

into a dew.

Or that the Everlasting

had not fixed

His canon gainst self-slaughter.

'Tis an unweeded garden

That grows to seed;

things rank and gross in nature

Possess it merely.

That it should come to this.

But two months dead--

nay, not so much, not two--

So excellent a king,

that was to this

Hyperion to a... a satyr.

Whither wilt thou lead me?

Speak. I'll go no further.

I am thy father's spirit,

Doomed for a certain term

to walk the night,

And for the day confined

to fast in fires.

My hour is almost come

When I to sulfurous

and tormenting flames

Must render up myself.

-Alas, poor ghost.

-No, pity me not...

...but lend thy serious hearing

To what I shall unfold.

List.

List, oh, list.

If thou didst ever

thy father love...

Oh, God.

But soft, methinks

I scent the morning air.

Brief let me be.

Sleeping within my orchard.

Upon my secure hour,

thy uncle stole

With juice of cursed hebona

in a vile,

Within the porches

of my ears did pour

The leprous distillment...

...whose effect Holds such

an enmity with blood of man

That swift as quicksilver

it courses through

The natural gates and alleys

of the body.

And with a sudden vigor

it doth posset

And curd, like...

...eager droppings into milk,

The thin and wholesome blood.

So did it mine.

A most instant tetter

barked about...

...Most lazar-like,

with vile and loathsome crust,

All my smooth body.

Oh, horrible.

Oh, horrible. Most horrible.

If thou hast nature in thee,

bear it not...

He has swapped places

with our son.

Look at me.

Look at me.

The... the glowworm shows

the matin to be near,

And 'gins to pale

his uneffectual fires.

My boy.

Adieu.

Adieu.

Adieu.

Remember me.

To be, or not to be,

that is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler

in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows

of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms

against a sea of troubles

And, by opposing, end them.

To die, to sleep,

No more.

And by a sleep, to say we end

The heartache

and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to--

'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wished.

To die,

To sleep, perchance to dream.

Ay, there's the rub.

For in that sleep of death,

what dreams may come

When we have shuffled

off this mortal coil

Must give us pause.

There's the respect

That makes calamity

of so long life.

Who would bear

the whips and scorns of time,

The oppressor's wrong,

the proud man's contumely,

The pangs of despised love,

the law's delay,

The insolence of office,

and the spurns

That patient merit

of the unworthy take,

When he himself might

his quietus make

With a bare bodkin?

Who would fardels bear,

To grunt and sweat

under a weary life,

But that the dread

of something after death,

The undiscovered country

from whose bourn

No traveler returns,

puzzles the will,

And makes us

rather bear those ills...

En garde!

One!

No! No!

A hit, a palpable hit!

Our son shall win!

Well, again!

Gertrude, do not drink.

Another hit! What say you?

Have at you now!

How does the queen?

She swoons to see them bleed.

No, no, the drink, the drink!

Oh, my dear Hamlet.

I am poisoned.

Oh, villainy!

h*, let the door be locked!

Treachery! Seek it out!

It is here, Hamlet.

Hamlet, thou art slain.

No medicine in the world

can do thee good.

In thee, there is not

half an hour's life.

The king's to blame!

The point envenomed, too?

Then, venom, to thy work!

Here, thou incestuous,

murderous, damned Dane!

Drink...

Drink off this potion!

Is thy union here?

Follow my mother.

I am dead.

Thou livest.

Report me and my cause aright

To the unsatisfied.

If thou didst ever

hold me in thy heart,

Absent thee

from felicity awhile,

And in this harsh world

draw thy breath in pain

To tell my story.

I die!

The potent poison

quite o'ercrows my spirit.

The rest is silence.

My Robin

to the greenwood will go

Where the oak and the ash

And the briars do grow

How fares my love

As the darkness falls

There within

Those tangled walls?

How fares my love

As the darkness falls

There within

Those tangled walls?

The greenwood is near

And the greenwood is far

And many a danger

Befalls a man there

I pray that those trees

Will return my boy

For sweet bonny Robin

Is all my joy

I pray that those trees

Will return my boy

For sweet bonny Robin

Is all my joy.