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Benvolio

I think it would be a good idea to get out of the streets, Mercutio. When it’s as hot as this, people get easily provoked. There’s lots of Capulets about. I’m afraid that if we run into any of them, we’ll wind up in a fight.

Mercutio

You’re one of those guys who goes into a pub and takes his sword off saying, “I won’t be needing you.” But by the time your second drink is having an effect, you’ve drawn your sword on the bartender for no good reason.

Romeo

How can I go with my friends when my heart is still here at the Capulet’s house? I should turn around and go back to Juliet, that’s where I’m drawn.

[He climbs the wall, and leaps down the other side. Enter Benvolio and Mercutio]

Benvolio

Romeo! My cousin Romeo!

Mercutio

He’s smart, and I bet my life that he snuck home and went to bed.

Sampson

Mark my words, Gregory, we won’t carry coals. We won’t tolerate their insults.

Gregory

Of course not, if we spent our time carrying coal, we’d be dirty coal carriers, wouldn’t we!

Sampson

What I mean is, if we are angry, we’ll draw our swords.

Gregory

Well, if you want to stay alive, rather than draw your sword, you’d better draw your neck out of the noose.

First Gravedigger

She’s getting a Christian burial, the one who sought her own salvation?

Second Gravedigger

I’m telling you that she is. Therefore, make her grave right away. The coroner examined the case and decided that she should have a Christian burial.

First Gravedigger

How can that be, unless she drowned herself in self-defense?

Second Gravedigger

Well, that was found to be the case.

Claudius

The way you are sighing, something is going on. You must explain, because I need to know what it is. Where’s your son?

Gertrude

Oh, my lord, what I have seen tonight!

Claudius

What is it, Gertrude? How’s Hamlet?

Gertrude

As mad and confused as the sea in a storm. In a fit of rage, he heard something behind the curtain, whipped out his sword, and yelled “A rat, a rat.” In a feverish delusion, he killed this good man.

Claudius

Can’t you steer the conversation to find out why he’s behaving so crazy, why his normal peaceful state of mind has been replaced with this violent, dangerous lunacy?

Rosencrantz

He confesses that he feels bothered, but he won’t say why.

Guildenstern

He didn’t seem to like being questioned. He cleverly faked madness to avoid revealing what’s really going on.

Gertrude

Was he polite to you?

Polonius

Reynaldo, when you get to Paris, give this money and these letters to Laertes. [He gives some money and papers to Reynaldo.]

Reynaldo

I will, my lord.

Polonius

It would be a good idea if, before you visit my son, you ask around about his behavior.

Reynaldo

My lord, that’s what I intended to do.

Bernardo

Who's there?

Francisco

You answer me! Stay where you are and identify yourself.

Bernardo

Long live the king!

Francisco

Bernardo, is that you?

Bernardo

It’s me.

Francisco

You’re right on time to take over the watch.

Bernardo

The clock tower has already struck midnight. Get to bed.

[Enter Octavius, Antony, and their armies]

Octavius

Now, Antony, everything is turning out as we had hoped. You said the enemy wouldn't come down into the valleys, but would stick to the hills and higher ground. That proves to be false. Their forces are nearby, and they intend to confront us at Philippi, entering into battle before we force it on them.

[Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus, seated at a table]

Antony

These people will be killed, then; their names have been marked.

Octavius

Your brother has to die too. Do you agree, Lepidus?

Lepidus

I do agree.

Octavius

Mark him down, Antony.

Lepidus

On the condition that Publius, your nephew, Mark Antony, also dies.

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