It starts off with Francisco at his post witnessing a silhouette like figure into scene. Taking Precaution Francisco confronts the entity with questions. “Who’s there?” And the shadowy figure responds with “Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself”. Francisco seems to acknowledge that it is his friend as he may have known the sound of his companions’ voice saying “Long live the king”. Ensuring that he is right he calls for him “Bernardo”. Bernardo responds with “he” and at that time it must have meant yes as, soon after they had caught up with each over , they conversed in friendly conversation.
As Bernardo must take watch and Francisco needs to get some sleep they leave each over. Before disbanding Bernardo says “Well, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.” Translated, I understand that it means “Well I am tired, so Goodnight. Oh and if you see my enemies Horatio and Marcellus, tell them to piss off”. He responds with “I think I hear them.
Stand, ho! Who’s there?” Bernardo’s enemies enter into the limelight. They prompt leisurely conversation with the inseparable two however he simply responds with “I give you goodnight” and they ask where he is going as he should be at his post but he says Bernardo has taken his place. Horatio and Marcellus bring up the subject of a mysterious entity lurking among their midst. Francisco
September 28, 2015 at 11:30 pm
You’ve worked hard on this summary, Eugene. You don’t have to report and translate the quotations – instead simply focus on the key events.
If you do choose to add quotations (and this can be a useful thing to do) aim for the ones that communicate key concepts – as opposed to the dialogue.
Also, in a summary, be careful not to editorialise or add too much to it – the colour of phrases like “enter into the limelight” has a little too many connotations not to distract from the scene itself. It reads a bit like an anachronism too, as it’s a metaphor referring to stage lighting that didn’t exist in Shakespeare’s time. Simply, in a summary, say ‘enter’.
Let’s get these summaries to the point where they take a minimum of effort and are precise and accurate.
Righto!
CW