Much ado about Brothers: A play in 2 acts

Much Ado About Brothers: A Play in two acts

*Note: Hamlet is a non-speaking role and therefore, the director could cast the same actor in the roles of Hamlet and Gar.


Location: King Claudius’s chamber
Background info into scene i.: Hamlet has just exposed Claudius as the murderer of his father, and is now watching Claudius “pray” in his room.
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(I.i)

Enter Claudius, with Hamlet hiding nearby

CLAUDIUS: Oh, how can the Almighty forgive such a treacherous deed such as mine? Our heart bleeds with guilt at the murder of our brother, Gar. We must cleanse our soul and make it white again, as white as a lamb. But can we be forgiven for the misdeeds against our brother. Oh, We are marked like Cain--forever lost in the wilderness of our transgressions. We will lose our dear sweet Queen and crown, but what about our salvation? Will the Almighty forgive our misdeeds and find us in His good graces?
Bow stubborn knees, and heart let our sins be exposed.

He kneels

TIME: Good Evening, Lords and Ladies. Prince Hamlet’s grandfather, King Rek led his people through a furious battle with the King of Norway, Fortinbras the Eldest, grandfather of the current Fortinbras. King Rek later married Lady Astrid, and together they ruled Denmark through a few years of peace and prosperity.

A short time later, the Queen produced two heirs to the throne --Princes Hamlet, affectionately called “Gar” and Claudius. The two sons grew up happily, but a bitter rivalry grew between the two when it was announced that Gar, not Claudius would become king upon the death of his parents. Despite the calm demeanor of Gar in the public eye, he was secretly a vicious and ruthless savage to his younger brother--this was hidden even from their parents. I blather on...so, without further delay-- Let’s go back 20 years........

(I.ii)
Location: Castle

Enter King Rek and Queen Astrid

REK: Good Day, my dear wife. How are you feeling today?

ASTRID: Well My Lord.
REK: Did Gar enjoy our gifts?
ASTRID: Yes, he did indeed! He marvels at the wonderful trinkets we gave him today, but his heart will always love that olive tree that we planted when he was just a boy.

REK: Very Good! Ah, here comes our other child.

Enter Claudius

REK: Good Morn... (Long pause)

ASTRID: Good Morning, Claudius

REK: (aside) Ah, yes that’s the name!
Good Morning Claudius, how are you?

CLAUDIUS: I am well, Father! Did you bring me any gifts? I thought I saw my brother with some gold.

REK: I’m sorry (stares off into space trying to remember his name) Cloud Burst....I know nothing of this. Your mother and I need to attend to some business, so please go play now.

CLAUDIUS: Father, you know I am too old to play.

REK: All good men enjoy a good play my son.

Exit King and Queen

CLAUDIUS: I could be eaten alive and those idiots could care less, Oh, if I were King everyone would bow down to me! By Heaven, I will have that crown if it is the last thing I do. Oh no! Here comes my brother. I wonder what he wants this time. More torture and abuse, I’ll have none of that!

Enter Gar

GAR: Hey, Second-best! How is my favorite brother? (Punches Claudius in the stomach)

CLAUDIUS: (weakly) I was well, brother.

GAR: Pardon?

CLAUDIUS: I was well--My Lord.

GAR: That’s better, my little punching bag. I’m trying to find Polonius, have you seen him?

CLAUDIUS: (still struggling to breathe) No, my Lord.

GAR: He must be hiding again. Honestly, he’s a grown man--why does he still like to hide like a child?

CLAUDIUS: (Regaining Composure) I don’t know.

GAR: (Clenching fists) You don’t know what?

CLAUDIUS: (flinching) I don’t know......My Lord.

GAR: That’s better! (Kicks him in the shins)

Exit Gar

CLAUDIUS: (Sarcastically) Yes, My Lord. I’ll show him; I’ll show them all! Years down the line, throngs of people will proudly shout from the highest mountain tops-- (waves fists in the air) KING CLAUDIUS--Ruler of Denmark.

MESSENGER: My Lord, the King wishes to speak to “His Clown”

CLAUDIUS: Very Well. Tell my father that his “Clown” will be in to greet him shortly.

MESSENGER: Yes, my Lord.

Exit Messenger

CLAUDIUS: “Clown” I’ll show you a clown old man! Why does everyone hate me so much? Am I not kind? Do I not love with an open and honest heart? Am I not filled with patience and a Good Christian? Why God, why must I be looked at with scornful eyes?

Exit Claudius

(I.iii)

Location: Royal Chambers
Background: King Rek and Queen Astrid are sitting in the chambers, awaiting the arrival of their son, Claudius.

REK: God must be smiling down on us, my dear, Astrid. Such a happy occasion!

ASTRID: Yes, most happy indeed! Please excuse me Lord; I must fetch something in my closet.
REK: Don’t be long my Sweet.

ASTRID: Yes, my Lord. I will not be long.

Astrid goes to her closet

ASTRID: I want you to hide here, my son. Your father is going to announce the news that you are to be King upon our deaths.

GAR: Yes Mother, but please hurry! You know how much I enjoy a good nap under my olive tree.

ASTRID: Yes, my son. Oh, and before I forget, here is your allowance my dear.
(Hands him a bag of gold)

GAR: May God bless my gracious mother for this.

ASTRID: Now remember; do not tell your brother I give you money every week, because I don’t care for the little bastard anyway. Oh, and don’t tell your father either. He doesn’t know it, but I always steal some money from him when he isn’t looking.

GAR: Mother, you are incorrigible.

Enter King

REK: My dear, what are you doing?
ASTRID: (shutting the closet quickly) Oh, I’m sorry my love; just fetching a shawl.

REK: Our little Clodhopper has been waiting for you.

ASTRID: I’ll be there right away. (looks back at her closet)

Back in the Chambers; Gar still in the closet.

ASTRID: My son, I apologize for my tardiness.

CLAUDIUS: Think nothing of it, mother. Now, what is it you would like to tell me?

REK: Joyous news! You’re brother will be King of Denmark upon our deaths.

CLAUDIUS: (feigning happiness) What great news! Oh, this is such a wonderful occasion (continues to ramble on--trying to sound happy.)

GAR: Yes, it is great news, you little windbag.

CLAUDIUS: Oh, what a joy this is.

GAR: Why, don’t you take a breath already? You arrogant jerk! You’re almost as bad as Polonius. Speaking of Polonius, I still haven’t been able to find him; he must be hiding again.

ASTRID: We’re both delighted that you are so happy my son. (Gives him a kiss) Now don’t be jealous when that time comes.

CLAUDIUS: Me? No! I am happier than a pair of turtledoves entangled by love.

REK: Well, that’s good. You should congratulate you’re brother! Where is he anyway?

A bang is heard from Astrid’s private closet.

REK: What was that?

ASTRID: Oh, nothing my Lord. Just a mouse.

CLAUDIUS: No Ma’am, it’s a rat. (Running to the room)

REK: What a son we have! Go get it Clarinet.

ASTRID: (aside) Oh, no my plans are going to be ruined!

Enter Claudius

REK: Did you get the rat, my son?

CLAUDIUS: No Father, he got away.

Gar runs back to his garden, out of breath.

GAR: That brother of mine almost caught me. But this is one cat and mouse game he’ll never win, because he’ll always be second best. Anyway, the crown is ALL MINE! (laughs maniacally) I hate Claudius, why I don’t really know, maybe it’s because he’s always been such a goody two shoes--and with that attitude he’ll never be king. Why am I talking to myself? I need a nap. (calling out) What’s that? Coming olive tree.

Gar Exits

TIME: Hello again! I hope you’re enjoying the play. I...Hey! You! Come back here; we still have one more act to go. Sixteen years have come and gone, and these years have been marked with sorrow. The King and Queen, both suffering with small pox, are on their deathbeds, and the brothers are stricken with grief. Do you think that the brothers are up in arms about the whole thing? No, both are consumed with the title and money that each will receive. This has caused an even greater rift between the two, but they still manage to put on a brave face for their mother and father. And now--the beginning of Act II.
(II.i)

Location: Royal Chambers

REK: My dear, the time our time is growing shorter. We must confess our sins to the Almighty, so that we may enter the Heavenly Kingdom.

ASTRID: Yes, my Lord we must.

REK: I will begin. (aside) “Merciful Father, I beg your mercy for sleeping with my wife’s chambermaid for all of these years.”

ASTRID: Husband?

REK: (not sure if he said it aloud) Yes, my Sweet?

ASTRID: I beg you take mercy on me. I’ve stolen money from you for a long while.

REK: Is it possible?

ASTRID: Yes, my Lord. I gave it to our son Gar at the expense of our other son.

REK: How could you do such a thing? You didn’t have to thieve from me! You are a worthless pile of trash. I hope you go the other way.

ASTRID: My Lord, please do not be angry with me, I only did what was best.

REK: To steal from our son, is a terrible sin! God may forgive you, but I will not. Oh, miserable day. I’ve lost my fair wife, but good riddance. I don’t need her. I’m dying....

He Dies

ASTRID: Oh, my dear poor husband. It were as if I killed him myself, and not this disease--Oh, Merciful God, take me to you; I have confessed my sins. I will confess that I loved my son, Gar more than my other son. I convinced my husband to choose wicked son, Gar to be King, but I know now that Claudius is the rightful owner of the crown. Oh, cruel agony....now I die.

She Dies

Claudius comes forward

CLAUDIUS: Oh, foolish woman. How could you be so cruel? Everyone has turned their back on me, so I will do likewise. My vicious toad of a brother is now King of Denmark, but that title is mine; I will have it!

Exit

(II.ii)

Location: The Kings’ chambers
Background: The appointed King Gar (who has taken back his birth name, Hamlet) has been king for many years. During this passage of time, he married a lady-in-waiting, Gertrude and had a son, Hamlet. Since the birth, he has been styled Old King Hamlet.

OLD KING: Ah, my countrymen. How I adore them, and how much they adore me. Gertrude, I am so happy, and yet--I feel so hollow inside. Why do you think that is?

GERTRUDE: I don’t know my Lord. You have everything a man either prince or pauper could want: a kingdom, a crown and a family who adores you!

OLD KING: (Aside) I must be unhappy because I have not apologized to my brother, Claudius. My foolishness towards him has left me a cold and bitter man on the inside. But I am too proud a man to admit my shortcomings! I will hold onto these sins forever!

GERTRUDE: My lord, you appear deep in thought. What’s the matter?

OLD KING: Just reflecting. My angel, Gertrude, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words.

GERTRUDE: No thanks necessary, My Love. (she kisses him)

OLD KING: I’m very tired dear.
GERTRUDE: Well, then you must rest.

OLD KING: The old olive tree is calling me, “Come lie under me, Noble King.” I have lain under that tree for so long that I feel I am apart of it.

GERTRUDE: (laughing) You are beginning to sprout leaves, husband.

OLD KING: Will you wake me in a few hours, My lady.

GERTRUDE: Yes, dear.

OLD KING: Ah, I could sleep forever.

He Exits to the Garden

END