1. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are always together because Rosencrantz cannot remember. Laertes and Hamlet avoid each other because they cannot forget.
2. "Good night, brother," whispers exhausted Hamlet to Laertes, before falling asleep. (And he condemns his mother for her incestuous marriage!)
3. Ophelia cannot play today, so Hamlet (the King) faces the unfortunate lack of a Queen. Laertes is an unwilling substitute.
4. Hamlet's poetry to Ophelia is awful. His poetry to Laertes is better, but he will never give it to him.
5. They cannot tangle on the ground, as the common youths, wrestling, do. They keep a foil's length between them, until--
6. Laertes smiles secretly, almost bitterly, hearing his father caution his sister against Lord Hamlet. It is too late for him.
7. This last match will be different: they will not kiss (not even a quick kiss) and make up (love) after.
8. While everyone drinks, honoring their departures, they clutch fiercely in another room. Laertes hisses into Hamlet's mouth "Forget me not."
Sarabande and Variations, by Handel.
