A Many Splendor Thing

This play is a retelling of Shakespeare's Othello, Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth with a few modern twists. It is a dramedy of love, betrayal, and murder? Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

Sincerely

Jillian A. Robinson

Act I; scene I
"Who Dost Thou Love?"

Lady Darlington

(Humming to herself as she drinks a large glass of wine. Startled out of her semi drunken reverie as she notices her son Ramlet's entrance. He seems happier than usual). Oh, dear Ramlet. How are you this fine day?

Ramlet

Oh, mother. The sun has truly reached my eyes this day, for I have met my one true love.

Lady Darlington

(Claps hands with glee, or perhaps that of one too many drinks) Ramlet, how splendid! Who is this young lady who has stolen your heart?

Ramlet

The one who has pilfered my heart is that of. (Says with trepidation) Jesdemona.

Lady Darlington

Jesdemona?! Jezebel! That unwholesome hobbyhorse! She's much too tarty for you. You're so much. above her.

Ramlet

Mother! Shame on you for having such a foul tongue. You shall not talk of my future bride in such a way.

Lady Darlington

But it's just. well, we are so much better than their entire family. We're like the "Jones'" We are Darlington's- a name meaning of wealth and pride. They are merely Smithsonian's.

Ramlet

Rubbish. It's just a name. And as far as I can tell, they are presently better than you. You know, you shouldn't wear that, mother.

Lady Darlington

Wear it? I just bought this dress two days ago! And the blue really brings out my eyes (runs hands over the bodice of her dress).

Ramlet

Hah! That just goes to show how superficial you are. Not the dress, mother. I meant your snobbery. It doesn't look too good on you.

Lady Darlington

Ramlet, Darling. Next time, do be blunt. In my old age, I fear I may not catch all of your sarcastic remarks. Have you informed your father dear?

Ramlet

No. He's out for the day I believe. Something about a meeting with a Miss Cleo?

Lady Darlington

(More to herself than him) Huh, excuses he gives. We shall see when your father arrives.

Act I; scene II
"Cards of Fate"

Macbeth

Alright, get on with it! I don't have all day. What do the cards have in store for me?

Ms. Cleo

Well, my my. You have a lot of skeletons in your closet, boy.

Macbeth

Yes, is there a point?

Ms. Cleo

Well, methinks that a lot of people may someday want your blood, man.

Macbeth

So, you're saying some guys are going to attempt to kill me?

Ms. Cleo

Nothing is written in stone, now. But all I can say is this: no man born of woman can harm thee. Ever.

Macbeth

Hmm. Interesting. So no one can kill me, eh? A nice, natural death I suppose. Fine then. You have anything else to tell me?

Ms. Cleo

Yuh huh! Try to make amends for past indiscretions. Oh, and watch your step. Don't want to fall.

Macbeth

Yes, well, I have no real need for atonement. I have done absolutely nothing wrong. (Throws money on the table and exits)

Ms. Cleo

You sure bout that, boy? Uh huh, sill white man. We'll see bout that. (Cackles insanely)

Act I; scene III
"Just Be a Man"

Jesdemona

Oh Ramlet. It was just awful! (Sobs into handkerchief)

Ramlet

My love, my heart. What ever is wrong? (Holds her to his bosom)

Jesdemona

I have just informed my mother of our plans to marry, and- and. She forbade me to see you. She said it was terribly wrong, and then she fainted!

Ramlet

There, there, sweet Jesdemona. Our love will prevail.

Jesdemona

Have you told your parents?

Ramlet

I've told my mother (Says uneasily).

Jesdemona

Yes, but what of your father? Does he know (Stops sobbing and looks at him questioningly).

Ramlet

Um. yes, well, you see, he was on business, therefore not in the house.

Jesdemona

Oh! I cannot- you are a coward!

Ramlet

Jesdemona, please! I was going to, really I was, but-

Jesdemona

It was a simple thing I asked of you. If he were to become angry, so what? You're an adult. You love me. Just be a man about it and tell him.

Ramlet

Love, please (attempts to grab her shoulders).

Jesdemona

No. First, you tell him, and then. maybe later. (Exits)

Ramlet

Oh dear. I hope father won't be too angry. No, she's right. It doesn't matter. I am a man, and I shall do as I wish!! (Exits)

Act I; scene IV
"Someone New"

Jesdemona

Curse him. Curse him fully! Heaven knows that he is false as hell. Oh, what a silly, twittering lark I am. Foolish for loving such a cowardly man. A man who is unsure himself of what he truly wants. But it was he who sought me out! Sure, I always thought he was cute, but, he made me fall in love with him only to break my heart and spirit. Ruining me by his tainted touch for any other. Oh- woe is me! (Collapses to the ground, sobbing hysterically)

Odarkio

Excuse me, my fair lady. What makes thy soul weep with such sorrow?

Jesdemona

The man I believed to be my one true love is nothing but a coward. A sheep in wolf's clothing. A poser, that's what he is!

Odarkio

Oh, I see. Is there anything that I can do? (Hands her a cherry handkerchief) I keep this for good luck.

Jesdemona

(Blows her nose loudly) Thank you kind sir. But at the moment, I'd like to be alone now.

Odarkio

Of course, miss. But if you ever need to talk, I'll be around. (Smiles and winks at her before exiting)

Jesdemona

Wow. He was a piece of sexy chocolate, wasn't he?

Act I; scene V "Incestually in Love"

Lady Darlington

Oh, Macbeth, sweetheart. My Lord. How (hiccups) are you?

Macbeth

Fine, fine. You've been in the wine again, haven't you my lil' squirrel.

Lady Darlington

Of course not, babe! I'm just, er uh... so happy to see- you. (Covers her mouth and giggles)

Macbeth

What an impish child I've married. Nearly twenty years; should have grown up by now (To himself)

Lady Darlington

Babe? Ramlet wanted to speak to you.

Macbeth

Really? What about?

Lady Darlington

I think it's best if he tells you himself. He seemed so... sad.

Macbeth

(Nods his head curtly at her) Right then. I think I'll go have a little chat with my son. (Walks to the other side of the stage to the "other" room on the floor where Ramlet is)

Ramlet

Father?! What are you doing here?

Macbeth

What are you, daft? I live here. Now, what's this trouble you have?

Ramlet

Trouble? Whatever do you mean?

Macbeth

Don't be foolish, boy. (Smacks him upside the head) My time is very valuable. Now, your mother told me you have a problem, and that I should see to it. Now, what's wrong?

Ramlet

(Looks forlornly at his shoes) Well, father, wish to marry, for I've fallen deeply in love.

Macbeth

(Slaps him on the back in a congratulatory manner) Well, congratulations, my boy! So, who is the lucky lady?

Ramlet

The fair, beautiful and pure Jesdemona.

Macbeth

(Looks shocked, startled, and then eerily sick. (Takes a big gulp before speaking) You don't mean Jesdemona of the Smithsonian household, do you son?

Ramlet

Look, I know you and mother believe their family is lower class than us simply because there's no man in the household, but that's no reason to condemn them, father!

Macbeth

No, son. You don't understand. That is not it at all. Have you two made the beast with two backs yet? Have you plucked the lyre? Did you ram her, Ramlet?

Ramlet

Father, I will not answer such questions! They are personal and- and, so what if we did? We will be married soon, had to do 'it' anyway. And father, just so you know, I shall have none of your bigotry. I will marry her whether you like it or not! (Storms angrily away)

Macbeth

Dear heavens, what have I done?! I must make this right. The two of them- it is just wrong. It isn't right. It could never be so! They know not what they did; they know not what I've done! Oh, how stupid I was to make my wife where the horns. I should have pledged my troth to her. But Bianca was so beautiful and... How could any man truly resist? Her cherry lips and ample hips and... Adulterous beast, I am! Made my son an incestuous fiend. I must find Jesdemona, tell my tale and make it all right again. Oh, God help us all! (Finds Jesdemona sitting on a bench alone, silently contemplating something)

Jesdemona

Lord Macbeth? What are you doing here?

Macbeth

I've come to- I've come to inform you that... you cannot marry my son.

Jesdemona

Why? Because I am not good enough? (Rises from her seat) Because you think that I am lower than him? Is that it?

Macbeth

No, no. You have it all wrong. I'm trying to save the both of you. If you only knew the truth of it all! Oh, I must tell you my horrible secret- a secret that carries in to you. To both of our families.

Jesdemona

What secret is this of which you speak? (Says with trepidation. Backs away as he approaches her closer. They are by a stairwell leading down to a tavern)

Macbeth

You cannot marry Ramlet, for he shares your blood.

Jesdemona

(Looks of shock, disbelief, denial, anger, and then sickness) What? No, you couldn't possibly mean that... what are you saying?

Macbeth

You have had a father all along. Jesdemona, your mother was my mistress. Ramlet is your brother.

Jesdemona

No, no, no! It can't be true! It just cannot! (Hits him repeatedly, causing him to stumble backwards and down the stairs. He is silent)

Jesdemona

No! (Clutches the sides of her head, then her torso) What have I done? Oh, high heaven! How can this be? I shall be condemned to hell, for I have loved my brother and slain my father. What have I- (Starts to cry. Flees when she hears someone approaching)

Close Curtains