HamletShakespeare’s First Folio
Scans: Bodleian Libraries, Arch. G c.7.
The First Folio
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On the page
Source transcription. Original spelling retained.
Reading Hamlet
Tragedies · First Folio, 1623
Hamlet begins with watchers who must decide whether they can trust what has appeared before them. The demand for revenge that follows does not remove uncertainty about how knowledge should lead to action. Hamlet's use of a performance to test Claudius makes the theatre part of that investigation, while other characters develop interpretations of Hamlet himself. Read the Folio with attention to who observes an encounter and who knows that they are being observed. This is the Folio text, a particular early version of the play, rather than a modern edition assembled from multiple printed witnesses.
Barnardo and Francisco open with a challenge over identity during a change of watch. Horatio and Marcellus then enter a scene already organised around recognition and verification. The first exchanges make the act of establishing who is present a problem before the Ghost appears.
Context: Hamlet at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Scans and transcription: Bodleian Libraries, Arch. G c.7.
On the opening page
THE TRAGEDIE OF HAMLET, Prince of Denmarke. Actus Primus. Scœna Prima. [Act 1, Scene 1] Enter Barnardo and Francisco two Centinels. Barnardo. WHo's there? Fran. Nay answer me: Stand & vnfold your selfe. Bar. Long liue the King. Fran. Barnardo? Bar. He. Fran. You come most carefully vpon your houre. Bar. 'Tis now strook twelue, get thee to bed Francisco. Fran. For this releese much thankes: 'Tis bitter cold, And I am sicke at heart. Barn. Haue you had quiet Guard? Fran. Not a Mouse stirring. Barn. Well, goodnight. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, the Riuals of my Watch, bid them make hast. Enter Horatio and Marcellus. Fran. I thinke I heare them. Stand: who's there? Hor. Friends to this ground. Mar. And Leige‑men to the Dane. Fran. Giue you good night. Mar. O farwel honest Soldier, who hath relieu'd you? Fra. Barnardo ha's my place: giue you goodnight. Exit Fran. Mar. Holla Barnardo. Bar. Say, what is Horatio there? Hor. A peece of him. Bar. Welcome Horatio, welcome good Marcellus. Mar. What, ha's this thing appear'd againe to night. Bar. I haue seene nothing. Mar. Horatio saies,'tis but our Fantasie, And will not let beleefe take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight, twice seene of vs, Therefore I haue intreated him along With vs, to watch the minutes of this Night, That if againe this Apparition come, He may approue our eyes, and speake to it. Hor. Tush, tush,'twill not appeare. Bar. Sit downe a‑while, And let vs once againe assaile your eares, That are so fortified against our story,
An opening excerpt from the Bodleian transcription, with original spelling retained. Continue in the reader. Text CC BY 3.0.