HAMLET’S POSTSCRIPT TO THE PLAYERS
Speak the speech, yes, trippingly, but then
Intelligently, too, finding your way
Into the character, his depth and ken
And all the passions that he might display.
Savor, as well, the words and cadences,
The palpability of speech in verse
And, if you like, suppose or even guess
How one might sing the lines—you could do worse.
The purpose finally in all you do
Is to induce your auditors to cease
Supposing that your character is you,
The player, but someone else, all of a piece.
For acting is believing that you are
Another being, from glorious to bizarre.
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