As you know, our late king, whom we just now saw as a ghost, was the great rival of Fortinbras, king of Norway. For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death. Its eerie. Continue to start your free trial. So frowned he once when, in an angry parle, He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice. Dont make me explode from curiosity. HAMLET The king doth wake tonight and takes his rouse, 10 Keeps wassail and the swaggering upspring reels, And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down, The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out The triumph of his pledge. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Speak! Hamlet act 1. Ill cross it though it blast me.Stay, illusion! Some say that ever gainst that season comes. Keeps wassail and the swaggering upspring reels. I can. Lets interrupt our watch and go tell young Hamlet what weve seen tonight. | Fortinbras dared him to battle. Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, Or by some habit that too much oerleavens. You agree now that were not imagining this, dont you? What might be toward, that this sweaty haste Doth make the night joint laborer with the day? Still am I called.Unhand me, gentlemen. Please wait while we process your payment. Why doesnt Hamlet kill Claudius right away? If the man go to this water and drown himself, it is, will he nill he, he goes. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? He gives him explicit directions as to how to pursue his investigations, then sends him on his way. The ghost is definitely something to worry about, like a speck of dust bothering your eye. Sit down for a while, and well tell you again the story you dont want to believe, about what weve seen two nights now. By that same agreement, our king bet lands of equal value that he would have had to give up had he been defeated. Most like. Lets do it. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs. And the ghost frowned just like the king did once when he fought the Poles, who traveled on the ice in sleds. What should we do? PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. He dispatches Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and get rid of Polonius's body. When yond same star thats westward from the pole. Hamlet stays out on guard. The bird of dawning singeth all night long. Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes. The scene serves to develop the character of Polonius, who is one of the most intriguing figures in Hamlet. Let go of me, gentlemen. They see the ghost of the murdered king, and decide to tell Hamlet. But look, the red glow of morning is breaking beyond that hill in the east. And the ghost frowned just like the king did once when he attacked the Poles, traveling on the ice in sleds. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? His reaction to the ghost functions to overcome the audiences sense of disbelief, since for a man as skeptical, intelligent, and trustworthy as Horatio to believe in and fear the ghost is far more impressive and convincing than if its only witnesses had been a pair of superstitious watchmen. Exactly like him. From our achievements, though performed at height, That for some vicious mole of nature in them. (Law Of Attraction) *Learn THIS! Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damned, Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell, Be thy intents wicked or charitable, Thou comest in such a questionable shape That I will speak to thee. Before he sees the ghost, he insists, Tush, tush, twill not appear (I.i.29). They clepe us drunkards and with swinish phrase Soil our addition. March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Good. I order you, speak! Why does Hamlet encourage the actor to recite the speech about Pyrrhus and Priam? Most importantly, it introduces the idea of retributive justice, the notion that sin must be returned with punishment. Dressed like a warrior, the ghost walks by us at our guard post. creating and saving your own notes as you read. Its waving for me to come after it again. So oft it chances in particular men That for some vicious mole of nature in them As in their birth (wherein they are not guilty, Since nature cannot choose his origin), By the oergrowth of some complexion, Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, Or by some habit that too much oerleavens The form of plausive manners that these men, Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, Being natures livery or fortunes star, Their virtues else (be they as pure as grace, As infinite as man may undergo) Shall in the general censure take corruption From that particular fault. Somebody tell me why this strict schedule of guards has been imposed, and why so many bronze cannons are being manufactured in Denmark, and so many weapons bought from abroad, and why the shipbuilders are so busy they dont even rest on Sunday. It was a bitterly cold night. What do you think about it? Thereto pricked on by a most emulate pride, Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet, (For so this side of our known world esteemed him), Did slay this Fortinbras, who by a sealed compact, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands. And theyre rightour behavior does reduce our achievements, despite their greatness, because it is a flaw in our core qualities. Horatio and Marcellus enter and exchange greetings before Francisco leaves. creating and saving your own notes as you read. As the ghost says in Act I, scene v, Claudius has poisoned the whole ear of Denmark with his words (I.v.36). Hamlet. My fate calls out to me, making every sinew of my body as taut as those of the legendary Nemean lion. Players. Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? He stalks by us at our post like a warrior. Bernardo hears a footstep near him and cries, "Who's there?" After both men ensure that the other is also a watchman, they relax. Old Hamlet's ghost tells Hamlet what happened to him. Thats why Ive begged him to come on our shift tonight, so that if the ghost appears he can see what we see and speak to it. LUCIANUS, nephew to the king. Who can explain this to me? BARNARDO Who's there? Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Hamlet returns to Denmark. Scene 3 Enter Laertes and Ophelia, his sister. That tiny bit of evil casts doubt on all their good qualities and wrecks their reputations. Its gone. Wherein our Saviours birth is celebrated. Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour,With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch. Horatio suggests that they tell Prince Hamlet, the dead kings son, about the apparition. Making night hideous and we fools of nature. Struggling with distance learning? We do it wrong, being so majestical, To offer it the show of violence, For it is, as the air, invulnerable, And our vain blows malicious mockery. Go on. Polonius joins them, sends Laertes off, then echoes Laertes's warnings to Ophelia, finally ordering her not to see Hamlet again. By heaven, I charge thee, speak. Wherefore? POLONIUS, lord chamberlain. When yond same star thats westward from the pole, Had made his course t illume that part of heaven. Log in Enjoy a FREE sample of our No Fear Translations below. Well may it sort that this portentous figure Comes armd through our watch so like the king That was and is the question of these wars. Good now, sit down and tell me, he that knows, Why this same strict and most observant watch So nightly toils the subject of the land, And why such daily cast of brazen cannon And foreign mart for implements of war, Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task Does not divide the Sunday from the week. The ghost tells Hamlet that he is, in fact, the ghost of his dead father. In Act I, scene v, as the ghost disappears, Hamlet seems to have too much nervous energy to deal competently with the curious Horatio and Marcellus. Contact us Read more about the language Horatio used to describe the ghost. If you have a voice or can make sounds, speak to me. Its happened like this twice before, always at this exact time. The appearance of the ghost also gives physical form to the fearful anxiety that surrounds the transfer of power after the kings death, seeming to imply that the future of Denmark is a dark and frightening one. Its happened like this twice before, always at this time of night. It is not nor it cannot come to good: But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue. Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us. Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway. Hamlet's second soliloquy occurs right after the ghost of the dead King, Hamlet's father, leaves, having charged Hamlet with the duty of taking revenge upon his murderer: "foul and most unnatural murder". Stay and speak! Horatio and Marcellus arrive upon the scene and frantically ask Hamlet what has happened. Who is t that can inform me? Or at least I can describe the rumors. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs. Refine any search. And then it looked startled, like a guilty person summoned to appear in court. It then draws near the season. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. It makes sense that this ghost of the late king would haunt our guard duty now, since he was such an important part of these wars. Cold, tired, and apprehensive from his many hours of guarding the castle, Francisco thanks Bernardo and prepares to go home and go to bed. It waves me still.Go on. Do you agree that we should tell Hamlet, that we owe it to him to him out of our duty and our love? Good now, sit down and tell me, he that knows, Why this same strict and most observant watch. I think it be no other but een so. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Shortly after midnight, trumpets and gunfire sound from the castle, and Hamlet explains that the new king is spending the night carousing, as is the Danish custom. His ability to accept the truth at once even when his predictions have been proved wrong indicates the fundamental trustworthiness of his character. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Fortinbras challenged him to hand-to-hand combat. and makes all wandering ghostswherever they arehurry back to their hiding places. (one code per order). Id bet my life that this ghost, which will not speak to us, will speak to him. Well, good night. In the heavy darkness, the men cannot see each other. POLONIUS Give Laertes this money and these letters, Reynaldo. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. In his advice to Reynaldo, Polonius explicitly develops one of the themes of Hamlet, the idea that words can be used to bend and alter the truth. What art thou that usurpst this time of night Together with that fair and warlike form In which the majesty of buried Denmark Did sometimes march? for a group? Think about it. And, sister, as the winds give benefit And convey is assistant, do not sleep, But let me hear from you. Angels and ministers of grace defend us! Ace your assignments with our guide to Hamlet! Prince Hamlet devotes himself to avenging his fathers death, but, because he is contemplative and thoughtful by nature, he delays, entering into a deep melancholy and even apparent madness. In the heavy darkness, the men cannot see each other. Whether youre a good spirit bringing breezes from heaven, or an evil demon wielding hell fire, whether your intentions are wicked or friendly, you appear in a shape that invites so many questions that I must speak to you. Act 1 Scene 1 Two guards at Elsinore Castle see the ghost of the recently dead King Hamlet. Horatio says were imagining it, and wont let himself believe anything about this horrible thing that weve seen twice now. Want 100 or more? What may this mean, That thou, dead corse, again in complete steel Revisits thus the glimpses of the moon, Making night hideous and we fools of nature, So horridly to shake our disposition With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? We were wrong to threaten it with violence, since it looks so much like a king. | Contact us The supernatural appearance of the ghost on a chilling, misty night outside Elsinore Castle indicates immediately that something is wrong in Denmark. Tis not fit thus to obey him. It then draws near the seasonWherein the spirit held his wont to walk. for a customized plan. Whats going on, Horatio? Speak to it, Horatio. What weve just seen is proof of that. Whats coming that forces us to work day and night in this way? You tremble and look pale. Thats how holy and blessed Christmas is. [To HORATIO] Youre well-educated. Gertrude announces Ophelia's death. So frowned he once when, in an angry parle. It makes sense that this ghost of the late king would haunt our guard duty now, since he was such an important part of these wars. Soon two more characters arrive, Horatio and Marcellus. Read more about the genre of revenge tragedy in British literature. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Sometimes it can end up there. Ive heard that the roosterwhich calls to signal the coming morningawakens the god of day. If Claudius had acted against Hamlet, they would have turned on him. 'Tis bitter cold. By God, Ill make a ghost of any of you who holds me back! It motions you to go off with it, as if it wants to say something to you alone. Go to bed, Francisco. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% LAERTES And so have I a noble father lost, A sister driven into desp'rate terms, Whose worth, if praises may go back again, Stood challenger on mount of all the . If you know something abut your countrys fatewhich we could avoid if we knew about itthen, oh, speak! Read more about Queen Elizabeths decline at the time. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Having raised a rebellious army, Laertes demands to know how his father died. Welcome, Horatio.Welcome, good Marcellus. He wants to know all about what Laertes is up to, and with whom. Shakespeare continually illustrates that words can function as poison in the ear as well. Most like. HORATIO Stay! It has returned. And, like the air, we couldn't hurt it. They call us drunks and pigs, staining our reputation. Bernardo arrives to relieve him of duty, and they remark on the quiet, cold night. Thanks for relieving me. Read and listen with a SparkNotes PLUS trial! The ghost remains silent, however, and disappears again just as the cock crows at the first hint of dawn. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. If theres any good deed I can do that will bring you peace and me honor, speak to me. But what does all this mean? Its eerie. No, you answer me. In fact, it is impossible to say for certain whether or not Hamlet actually does go mad, and, if so, when his act becomes reality. FRANCISCO No, you answer me. Horatio says its all our imagination, and he wont let himself believe in this awful thing weve now seen twice. There were shooting stars, and blood mixed in with the morning dew, and threatening signs on the face of the sun. Weve had similar signs of disaster, as if heaven and earth have joined together to warn us of whats to come. Two watchmen, BARNARDO and FRANCISCO, enter. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. This bodes some strange eruption to our state. No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet: Act 1 Scene 3 | SparkNotes Hamlet William Shakespeare Study Guide No Fear Translation Mastery Quizzes PLUS Flashcards PLUS Infographic Graphic Novel Table of contents No Fear Act 1 Scene 3 No Fear Audio PLUS 00:00 Read and listen with a SparkNotes PLUS trial! Polonius says that Hamlet must be mad with his love for Ophelia, for she has distanced herself from him ever since Polonius ordered her to do so. The moon, which controls the tides of the sea, was so eclipsed that it almost disappeared completely. Then no planets strike. Read Hamlet here, with side-by-side No Fear translations into modern English. He explains to Reynaldo how to ask leading questions of Laertes acquaintances and how to phrase questions in a way that will seem inoffensive. Members of the court try to understand Hamlet's mood. These plays focus particularly on the uncertainties, betrayals, and upheavals that accompany such shifts in power, and the general sense of anxiety and fear that surround them. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Besides, we cant hurt it anymore than we can hurt the air. Its weird. Ive heard that the rooster awakens the god of day with its trumpetlike crowing, and makes all wandering ghosts, wherever they are, hurry back to their hiding places. Ill meet it if its the last thing I do. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Therefore I have entreated him along With us to watch the minutes of this night, That if again this apparition come He may approve our eyes and speak to it. Where did I leave? [II.i.4951]). How are you, Horatio? Explanations and citation info for 37,472 quotes across 1699 books. Which he stood seized of to the conqueror, Was gagd by our king, which had returned, Had he been vanquisher, as, by the same covenant, Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there, That hath a stomach in t, which is no other, And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands, The source of this our watch, and the chief head. The triumph of his pledge. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% on 50-99 accounts. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Peace, break thee off. No Fear Translations No Fear Audio Start your FREE trial HAMLET The king is staying up late partying. What does it mean that you, dead corpse, once again walk beneath the moon in full armormaking the night terrifying, and forcing on us mere mortals to face thoughts that are beyond our ability to understand? How now, Horatio? Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse. Shooting stars streaked across the sky, blood fell along with the morning dew, and omens of disaster appeared on the sun. So I will follow it. Indeed? Or to the high cliff that overhangs the ocean, and then morphs into a beast so horrible that seeing it drives you insane? [He draws his sword] By God, Ill make a ghost of any of you who holds me back! This heavy-headed revel east and west Makes us traduced and taxed of other nations. Sign up for PLUS and get instant access to the full translations, along with many other exclusive study tools! The ghost comes and beckons Hamlet away from his friends. I think I hear them.Stand, ho! Isnt this something more than just our imagination? Contact us LitCharts Teacher Editions. HORATIO, friend to Hamlet. That was the same armor the king wore when he fought the ambitious king of Norway. Summary and Analysis. And this, I take it, Is the main motive of our preparations, The source of this our watch, and the chief head Of this posthaste and rummage in the land. Stop and reveal yourself. Get thee to bed, Francisco. Or to the high cliff that overhangs the ocean, and then morphs into a beast so horrible that seeing it drives you insane? What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord, Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff That beetles oer his base into the sea, And there assume some other horrible form, Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason And draw you into madness? Tell me why your bones, which were blessed and sanctified in burial rites, have burst out of their coffin. Hamlet Translation Act 2, Scene 1 Also check out our detailed summary & analysis of this scene Original Translation POLONIUS enters with his servant REYNALDO. Its not right for us to obey his orders to stay away. As dawn breaks, the ghost disappears. I think I hear them.Stand, ho! Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Here lies the water. King, Father, royal Dane. O, answer me! It was about to say something when the rooster crowed. The situation Shakespeare presents at the beginning of Hamlet is that a strong and beloved king has died, and the throne has been inherited not by his son, as we might expect, but by his brother. Claudius and Gertrude ask Hamlet to stay in Denmark, and question why he seems so upset. Hamlet | Act 1, Scene 1 A ct 1, S cene 1 What's Happening? As Reynaldo leaves, Ophelia enters, visibly upset. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. They call us drunks and pigs, staining our reputation. We were wrong to threaten it with violence, since it looked so kingly. Hamlet hears about the ghost. All right, lets sit down and discuss that question. Well, lets sit down and listen to Barnardo tell us. Well, good night.If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. And, like the air, we couldn't hurt it. The short scene that begins Act II is divided into two parts, the first of which involves Poloniuss conversation with Reynaldo about Laertes and the second of which involves Poloniuss conversation with Ophelia about Hamlet. But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, Walks oer the dew of yon high eastward hill. Weve had similar signs of disaster, as if heaven and earth have joined together to warn us of whats to come. And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad. Two . Go home to bed, Francisco. As with Claudius, who manipulated the royal court with his speech in Act I, scene ii, words become a tool for influencing the minds of others and controlling their perception of the truth. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. The bird of dawning singeth all night long. Say why is this? You'll be billed after your free trial ends. For some food, theyre eager to take on the tough enterprise of securing the lands the elder Fortinbras lost. Ay, marry, is t. That something is wrong in the state of Denmark. What if it leads you toward the sea, my lord? Look, with what courteous actionIt waves you to a more removd ground.But do not go with it. Take the Act I, scene v-Act II, scene i Quick Quiz. So hallowed and so gracious is that time. Polonius can be interpreted as either a doddering fool or as a cunning manipulator, and he has been portrayed onstage as both. How does Hamlets view of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern change? Hamlet seeks revenge toward Claudius who he believes killed his father for the throne. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Discover and decipher some of the most famous quotes in all of Shakespeares works, including To be or not to be, that is the question, brevity is the soul of wit, and This above all: to thine ownself be true.. [to HORATIO] Thou art a scholar. It faded away when the rooster crowed. The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. Oh, goodbye, honorable soldier. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. The ghost exhorts Hamlet to seek revenge, telling him that Claudius has corrupted Denmark and corrupted Gertrude, having taken her from the pure love of her first marriage and seduced her in the foul lust of their incestuous union. Claudius has committed a sin, and now, to restore balance to the kingdom, the sin must be punished. Dont have an account? At least, the whisper goes so: our last king. FREE Next page Act 1, Scene 2 PLUS Notes See All Notes Add Note with SparkNotes PLUS Hamlet Popular pages: Hamlet Themes Take a Study Break Wait, look! In the powerful Roman Empire, just before the mighty emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated, the graves stood empty while the ghostly dead ran through the streets of Rome, squeaking and delirious. (When Elizabeth died in 1603, James did inherit the throne, becoming King James I.). But soft, behold! In that fight, our courageous Hamlet (or at least thats how we thought of him) killed old King Fortinbras, whoon the basis of a valid legal documentsurrendered all his territories, along with his life, to his conqueror. The ghost is definitely something to worry about, like a speck of dust bothering your eye. Hamlet and Laertes fight over her grave. In addition, his mothers marriage to Claudius seems to have shattered his opinion of women in general. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. He wants Hamlet to kill Claudius in revenge. Why does Hamlet encourage the actor to recite the speech about Pyrrhus and Priam? Argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life. And why the shipbuilders are kept so busy that they dont even rest on Sunday. So have I heard and do in part believe it. Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us. I charge thee, speak! Read more about Queen Elizabeths decline at the time Hamlet was written. As they leave, Hamlet bemoans the responsibility he now carries: The time is out of joint: O cursed spite / That ever I was born to set it right! (I.v.189190). When Marcellus says that he has heard that the crowing of the cock has the power to dispel evil powers, so that [n]o fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, Horatio replies, So have I heard, and do in part believe it, emphasizing the in part (I.i.144146). Some people say that just before Christmas the rooster crows all night long, so that no ghost dares go wandering, and the night is safe for all. Ill call thee Hamlet, King, Father, royal Dane. O, answer me! HORATIO Stay! The moon, which controls the tides of the sea, was so eclipsed that it almost disappeared completely. Who hath relieved you? You'll also receive an email with the link. Really? Sometimes it can end up there. Are burnt and purged away. FRANCISCO. Before my God, I might not this believeWithout the sensible and true avouchOf mine own eyes. Countries to the east and west mock and criticize us for our partying. It faded on the crowing of the cock. If you have a voice or can make sounds, speak to me. She tells Polonius that Hamlet, unkempt and wild-eyed, has accosted her. (one code per order). So nightly toils the subject of the land, Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task, What might be toward, that this sweaty haste. Whos taken over the watch for you? Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour. But if the water come to him and drown him, he drowns not himself. But Horatio is not a blind rationalist, either, and when he sees the ghost, he does not deny its existenceon the contrary, he is overwhelmed with terror. What, has this thing appeared again tonight? So its getting close to the time when the ghost usually appears. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Haunted by a ghost and arguing with his girlfriend Ophelia, Hamlet struggles to take revenge, as delay and feigned insanity preoccupy him. O, farewell, honest soldier. LAERTES My necessaries are embarked. But to my mind, though I am native here And to the manner born, it is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance. This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him. The king doth wake tonight and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail and the swaggering upspring reels, And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down, The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out The triumph of his pledge. So by his father lost. The actors arrive. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. The ghost materializes for a second time, and Horatio tries to speak to it. For this relief much thanks. Now, Fortinbras son, young Fortinbras, who is daring but has yet to prove himself, has hastily gathered a group lawless brutes. Then, on that night, no dark fates control us, no fairy can cast a spell on us, and witches cannot hurt us with their charms. Hamlet questions the point of the war. Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour. Stay! But look, the red glow of morning is breaking beyond that hill in the east. Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare) By: SparkNotes Narrated by: Ariel Blake, Jonathan Davis, Imani Jade Powers, Fred Berman, Jennifer Van Dyck, Therese Plummer, Dion Graham, Robert Petkoff, Gabriel Vaughan, Soneela Nankani, James Fouhey, Gabra Zackman Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins 4.7 (24 ratings) Try for $0.00 Laertes and Claudius plan to kill Hamlet in a duel. Subscribe now. The moon, which controls the tides of the sea, was so eclipsed it almost went completely out. Goodbye. Makes us traduced and taxed of other nations. Let go of me, gentlemen. And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down, The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Well, sit we down,And let us hear Barnardo speak of this. 'O That This Too Solid Flesh Would Melt' Soliloquy Translation He wished that his body would just melt, turn to water and become like the dew.