THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE.
Dramatis Personae:
Mrs. Lanyon - An invalid woman of letters. Widow of the late scientist. Mr Lanyon.
Mr. Utterson - A lawyer and friend of Mrs. Lanyon and Dr. Jekyll.
Dr. Jekyll - A prominent London doctor and scientist.
Mary - A maid in the service of Dr. Jekyll.
Mr. Hyde – Dr. Jekyll’s malevolent alter ego.
SCENE ONE:
A HOME OF MRS. LANYON IN LONDON, 1880 ‘S.
Mrs. Lanyon is seated in a wheelchair next to a bed table. She is writing as Mr. Utterson enters.
Without turning to look, she is recognizes his presence.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Is that you Mr. Utterson?
Why yes, how did you know? You didn`t even see me come in.
I recognize your footstep. You right foot falls more heavily than your left foot.
It is unmistakable. I am happy. I`ve just heard some good news from my niece.
Mr. Utterson approaches and kisses her hand in greeting.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
You look terribly worried, my dear Utterson.
Well, there is nothing truly serious, just business matters.
Well, then… Would you like a cup of tea?
Very much, thank you.
She serves him and drink in silence.
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mrs Lanyon, you late husband knew Dr. Jekyll fairly well, didn’t he.
Yes, I suppose he did. At first they had many interests in common. But after a
while Dr. Jekyll became a little… eccentric, you might say, and that is why they
stopped seeing each other.
Eccentric, you say? How so?
According to my husband, Dr. Jekyll became obsessed with some rather
curious notions.
Did your husband ever mention a Mr. Hyde?
Humm… No, I don’t believe so. Who is he? A friend of yours?
1
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
A friend of mine? No, no, I have not had the pleasure –or should I say the
displeasure- of meeting him.
Is he a friend of Dr. Jekyll’s?
Why do you ask that?
Well, it is only logical. You just asked me if my late husband and Dr. Jekyll were
friends, and then you mention a Mr. Hyde. I am only trying follow your train of
thought.
I am afraid there is no logic to my thoughts. (He pauses) Actually, what I am
about to tell really has nothing to do with my work, at least, not directly.
Something I have heard. A story that seems a bit… a bit…
A bit eccentric.
Eccentric and… terrible! It is something a good friend of mine has experienced,
I do not.
Stop beating around the bush, Mr. Utterson, and let’s get the point.
Then imagine a dark, foggy night in London. A man very light of foot is hurrying
down a street and encounters a young girl eight to ten years old.
At night? What time is it?
Well, I don’t know exactly.
If it was very late, what was a ten years old girl doing out in the streets alone?
No, she was not alone. Her parents were some way ahead of her. So the man
in question encounters the young girl, bumps into her as it were, and the girl
fells to the ground.
An unfortunate accident. Did something happen to the young girl?
Yes, but not from the fall. The man simply walked right over her stepped right
on her!
What do you mean?
He stepped on her, kicked her out of the way as if she were garbage, and then
went on his way!
Why, that was devilish of him!
Exactly. The people who saw the incident all report upon seeing the face of the
man that it was not a human face, but the face of the devil, they obliged the
man to pay some compensation to the family of the girl.
And the girl?
Fortunately, she was not seriously hurt, only very frightened.
I am glad to hear that.
Then the man offered the family a check for one hundred pounds.
That’s quite generous!
And then he disappeared through the back door of the home of a very
respected gentleman of our community, The worst aspect of the incident is
that the check for one hundred pounds was signed this same very respectable
gentleman.
A counterfeit check, no doubt.
2
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Not at all. The check was genuine.
That is very suspicious.
Yes, very suspicious, indeed.
Am I to suppose that this beastly man is Mr. Hyde, and our very respectable
gentleman is Dr. Jekyll?
Mr. Utterson:
I am afraid so.
Mrs. Lanyon:
And this is what is bothering you so? That Dr. Jekyll might have an
undesireable friend?
Mr. Utterson:
All I can say for certain is that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde do, in fact, know each
other very well. I fear that Dr. Jekyll may be the victim of blackmail or
extortion at the hands of Mr. Hyde.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Don’t be such an alarmist. Perhaps it is only a misunderstanding of some sort.
You have told me that you do not know this Mr. Hyde personally.
Mr. Utterson:
Of course not!
Mrs. Lanyon:
Then that is the first step I would take, my dear Mr. Utterson. I would make
my acquaintance with our mysterious Mr. Hyde.
Mr. Utterson:
As always, that is very sage advice, my dear old friend.
Mrs. Lanyon:
I will forgive you the “old” part of that “Old friend”. But speaking of age, did
you remember that my birthday is coming up in several weeks?
Mr. Utterson:
Congratulations!
Mrs. Lanyon:
I would like to invite you to my party. I will also invite our friend Dr. Jekyll. It is
true that since the death of my husband we have not seen the good doctor
around here very much, but it seems the right moment to renew our
friendship, don’t you agree?
Mr. Utterson:
You are very charming, Mrs. Lanyon.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Goodbye.
Utterson kisses her hand and exits.
SCENE TWO
UTTERSON’S OFFICE, LATER THAT AFTERNOON.
Utterson is at his desk reading the will of Dr. Jekyll aloud.
Mr. Utterson:
“I, Henry Jekyll, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Medicine,
member of the Royal Society, in full command of my faculties, declare that in
the event of my faculties, declare that in the event of my disappearance or
unexplained absence for any period greater than three months, all my wealth
and belongings will become the property of my good friend and benefactor,
Edward Hyde free of any charges or obligations, excepting certain small
holdings which will be dispersed among my servants in the following
manner…”
3
SCENE THREE
LATER THAT EVENING ON A LONDON STREET.
Utterson is hiding from view near the back door of Dr. Jekyll’s house. Hyde appears, stands in front
of the door and draws a key from his pocket.
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Hyde:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Hyde:
Mr. Utterson:
Are you Mr. Hyde?
(Startled) So I am called. What do you want from me?
I see that you are going to enter this house. I am an old friend of Dr. Jekyll’s.
My name is Utterson.
Dr. Jekyll is not at home. How did you recognize me? I don’t believe we have
been introduced.
Would you do me a favor? Would you let me see your face?
Hyde hesitates, then boldly raises his face to the light. They look at each other in tense silence.
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Hyde:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Hyde:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Hyde:
Mr. Utterson:
I shall recognize your face forever now.
Now answer me. How did you recognize me before?
They gave me a description of you. We have some mutual friends.
Mutual friends? Who?
Dr. Jekyll, for example.
(Angrily) He never spoke to you about me. That’s a lie!
Mr. Hyde, that is not the language of a gentleman.
Hyde grunts, then smiles savagely. He opens the door and disappears inside. Utterson remains
outside deep in thought. Mary, Dr. Jekyll’s maid, approaches the house from the street.
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Hello, Mary. I must say, it does my heart good to meet you here.
Good evening, Mr. Utterson. Have you come to see Dr. Jekyll? I am sorry to say
he is not in right now. He left the house before I did some time ago.
Mary, I just saw a Mr. Hyde enter the back door of Dr. Jekyll’s laboratory. Is
that normal?
Perfectly normal, sir. Mr. Hyde has the key.
your master must have considerable confidence in that gentleman.
Yes, sir, considerable. All of the servants have orders to obey Mr. Hyde’s every
command as if it were Dr. Jekyll’s own.
Never in all my visits with Dr. Jekyll have I met Mr. Hyde. It seems strange.
Oh, Mr. Hyde is never here in the afternoons. Really, we hardly ever see him.
He comes and goes through the laboratory.
You wouldn’t happen to know where he lives, would you?
I think he lives somewhere in Soho.
Oh, I see. Well, give my regards to Dr. Jekyll, will you?
Of course, Mr. Utterson. Very pleased to see you.
Goodbye. (He exits.)
4
SCENE FOUR
IN FRONT OF DR. JEKYLL’S HOUSE.
Mary takes the key from her pocket and enters the front door of the house.
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Is that you, Mary?
(Frightened at seeing his face) Oh! Yes, sir.
What have you seen that you find so repugnant?
Oh, no, nothing, sir.
Don’t lie to me, Mary. You looked at my face and almost fainted in fright.
No, sir. It’s just that I didn’t expect to see anyone here. That’s all.
You don’t like my face.
No, that’s not it, honest!
I am not very handsome, am I? I don’t look anything like your gentleman Dr.
Jekyll, now, do I?
(Weakly) No, not at all.
Speak up, dear. I can’t hear you.
No, sir. I don’t believe so.
The doctor is an elegant and distinguished gentleman, and I am not. Isn’t that
what you are thinking?
No, that is not what I am thinking at all!
So you don’t think the doctor is an elegant, distinguished gentleman?
Yes, of course he is.
And me?
And you, too, of course!
I never wanted to be a gentleman.
I… you… you are…
What am I, Mary?
It’s that… I don’t know what to say whatever you like, sir!
You seem to be afraid of me, Mary.
Yes, sir, I think so.
Come now, you’re too old to be afraid or are you still just a little girl, Mary?
(He strokes her hair.) That’s it, isn’t it, Mary? You’re not a beautiful, young
woman. Why are you working as a maid? You could have been something
much better.
What could I have become, sir? I… I don’t know how to do anything else.
Hyde whispers something in her ear.
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
(Indignantly.) How dare you! I’ll report this to the doctor!
And what will you tell him, my sweet Mary?
He doesn’t know what you are like, and if he did, he wouldn’t be your friend.
5
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
Mr. Hyde:
Mary:
That fool? My friend? I don’t have any friends. I don’t need friends. But yes, I
would like a girlfriend. Would you like to be my girlfriend, Mary?
No, please, I beg you, leave me alone, Mr. Hyde, I have a lot of work…
Yes, I am sure you do, but I saw you talking with that… that… Utterson.
Yes, he is a friend of the doctor’s.
And you think it proper to be spreading rumors about your master?
I wasn’t spreading rumors… I only said that the doctor had gone out.
And about me? What did you tell him about me?
Nothing, I swear!
I hear you. You told him that no one ever saw me around here.
That’s the truth. I have only seen you once or twice in the garden, but we’ve
never actually met. That’s the truth!
Then how do you know I live in Soho?
I don’t know… someone must have said so.
You’d like to know where I live? Would you like to see my house, Mary?
No, no, please God.
I would show you things much more interesting than cleaning and doing the
laundry…
Please leave me alone!
(Violently) Hasn’t your master told you to obey my every command?
(Crying) Yes, he did…
Get down on your knees, Mary!
No please have mercy!
Hyde takes her by the hair and forces her to kneel. Mary closes her eyer in terror. Hyde stands
behind her, raises his cane to strike her on the head, but in a great act of will, he controls his urge
to beat her and merely kicks her to the ground. Mary falls to the ground whimpering. Hyde gives a
satanic laugh and disappears though the laboratory door.
SCENE FIVE
MRS. LANYON’S HOUSE, SEVERAL WEEKS LATER ON THE AFTERNOON OF HER BIRTHDAY PARTY.
On the table are glasses and a bottle of wine. Utterson enters pushing Mrs. Lanyon in her
wheelchair. Dr. Jekyll enters behind them.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
If I keep having birthdays, I am afraid there will come a time when I can’t blow
out all the candles!
Don’t be silly. Age is a mental condition, not a physical one.
Then how many mental years old do you think I am?
6
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mr. Utterson:
I’d say about twenty.
I don’t know whether to take as an insult or a compliment. At twenty I didn’t
anything about the word at all. What do you think, Dr Jekyll, do you think age
is all in one’s mind?
I believe everything is in one’s mind.
Everything?
Yes, you just have to know how to open the prison doors.
And who has the keys to those doors?
Everyone has their own key, but most people don’t have valor enough to open
the doors.
Valor? How about moral character? Or principles?
No, it is fear, simply fear.
If, as you say, everything is inside of each of us, then inside us is everything we
hate as well?
Yes, but why is it that we hate those things? Isn’t it true that the idea of what
is good and what is evil is something we learn? We are born with infinite
possibilities. But the education that is imposed on us determines what is good
and what is evil.
I say, your theories are really quite…
Revolutionary?
Oh, I wouldn’t go that far. Plato and the Greeks spent quite a bit of time over
the same problem. Now I understand why my husband and you had a falling
out.
Your husband called my theories “scientific heresies”. At times, his ignorance…
His ignorance! How dare you!
Forgive me, I did not mean to offend you. Your husband was, after all, a good
man.
And a great scientist!
There is no doubt of that.
He was very disappointed in you, Dr. Jekyll.
I, too, suffered a great disappointment.
Let’s not dwell on the past. Today has been a lovely day for all of us. Let’s toast
to the day!
Everyone raises their wineglass to toast.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
It has been a wonderful day, but it must come to an end now. I am very tired.
Mr. Utterson, would you be so kind as to take me to my bedroom and then
accompany Dr. Jekyll home?
It would be my pleasure.
Dr. Jekyll bows graciously.
7
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Jekyll:
Dr. Jekyll, I am sorry I cannot agree with you, and that you cannot agree with
me, but if someday you find yourself trapped in horrible circumstances, don’t
forget that you can always turn to your friends.
Trapped, why, I don’t understand?
Trapped in that mental prison that you say we all have inside us.
Ah, yes. (He kisses her hand)
Utterson takes Mrs. Lanyon to her room and Dr. Jekyll waits for him to return.
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mr. Utterson:
Mr. Jekyll:
What a grand lady! It certainly is true that behind every great man is a great
lady.
In this case, however, behind the patent imbecile that was her husband there
was this great lady.
That is no way to talk about her poor deceased husband!
She is gone now, so I won’t offend her, but it is true. Her husband was an
ignorant pedant. At any rate, I hope I wasn’t too rude. I would hate to have
abused her hospitality.
Our friend is not easily offended. It is a mark of her intelligence. But there is
something that is bothering me, my friend, and I would like to talk to you
about it. It is your will and testament. You know I never agreed to the terms
you stipulated in it.
(Tensely) Yes, I know. You have told me often enough.
I feel obliged to tell you once more. I have heard certain stories about this Mr.
Hyde…
I thought we agreed never to discuss him again?
But what I have heard about him is so terrible…
There is nothing I can do, nothing I can change. You don’t understand. My
situation is distressing and quite strange. There is nothing you can do to help
me.
If you trusted in me, I am sure there is something I could do to help.
Utterson, you are a good man, but you could not understand my problem even
if you knew about it. I will tell you this to put your mind at ease, however. At
any moment, I can make Mr. Hyde disappear. I cannot tell you more. Shall we
go now? It is getting late. (He raises the glass to toast the absent Mrs. Lanyon)
Happy Birthday, my good Mrs. Lanyon! (He drinks and the two of them exit.)
SCENE SIX
THE LABORATORY OF DR. JEKYLL.
There is a large table with flasks and laboratory equipment strewn about. Mary enters and begins
to clean everything very carefully. After a moment, Dr. Jekyll enters.
8
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Don’t bother to clean up, Mary the laboratory doesn’t need cleaning today.
It’s no bother, sir, and if I didn’t clear some of the dust out of here you would
surely fall sick, you spend so much time locked up here with your experiments.
But you might break something. I have some very delicate instruments here.
I’ll be very careful and won’t move a thing. Everything will be just as you left it.
Would you like me to bring your breakfast?
Just coffee, please.
That’s no proper breakfast. My mother used to say. “If you eat nothing else all
day, you should at least have a decent breakfast.”
She was right. Your mother was a very intelligent woman.
Well, I am not sure how intelligent she was, because she didn’t know to read
and write, but she had six children and knew enough to educate them
properly.
It is more important to have good common sense than all the formal
education in the word.
You can say that, sir, being as wise as you are.
Wise, you say? You truly think I am wise?
Of course you are, sir. All those books you read and those experiments you’re
mixing up all the time. They must work for all sorts of things.
“All sorts of things,” you say? (Sadly) You truly believe that, don’t you?
Yes, sir, they must be medicines or something, certainly something to do a
person good.
Jekyll suffers a sudden pain in his side and his left arm, and then he has difficulty breathing.
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mary:
Mr. Jekyll:
What’s the matter, Doctor, are you ill?
(With growing anxiety) No, no… it’s nothing… it will pass. Remember that
package of salts you brought me last month?
The one you ordered from Messrs. Maw, the chemists?
Yes, the same. I am going to give you an order for more salts. (He writes the
note with difficulty. He gives it to Mary and she starts to leave, but Jekyll stops
her.) No, Mary, don’t go!
But you are sick, Doctor, and these salts will help you, won´t they?
No, I said! Don’t go, I command you!
(Frightened) Whatever you say, Doctor, but…
Listen to me closely, Mary, very closely. No matter what I say, do not ever
bring me those salts, even if I beg you for them, do you understand?
I don’t understand. Why are you speaking so strangely?
You wouldn’t understand why, Mary, just follow my instructions, or things will
get much worse. Now leave me, I don’t want you to see me… Leave now!
Mary runs out, clearly frightened, and as soon as she has gone, Jekyll falls to his knees in agony.
9
Mr. Jekyll:
Hyde:
Mr. Jekyll:
Hyde:
Mr. Jekyll:
Hyde:
Mr. Jekyll:
Mr. Jekyll:
Come back, Mary! Bring me those salts, please, I beg you, I can’t stand it any
more… (Jekyll struggles to regain his composure, and speaks as if to another
person in the room.) Oh no you don’t. Not this time. Oh no you don’t. Not this
time, I am strong enough to handle you this time. You can’t simply take over
whenever you like. You have done too many evil things. (To himself.) I should
never have started this dangerous game, I know. But at the beginning it was so
simple, and everything seemed under control. (To the other.) In the beginning
you only came out when I wanted you to. This time you will not get what you
want.
You hypocrite! Stop fooling yourself. Who do you think you are, anyway? The
honorable Dr. Jekyll? I am more the truth than you, and you know it!
Remember the first time you saw me in the mirror? I was the very image of
your inner spirit. I am not your enemy. I have always lived inside you. And
remember how much you enjoyed yourself at first, being able to do whatever
you wanted.
But I am paying now! I can no longer eat or sleep without hearing your evil
rantings or suffering your evil thoughts. Yesterday when I awoke in the
morning I looked at my hand, and it wasn’t my hand, it was yours, dirty and
squalid with your pernicious acts. Yes, you form a part of me, But I the limit.
My pride drove me to you, thinking I could control you, and little by little, you
grew strong, too strong, Now, when you disappear, my remorse will not let me
live in peace.
You’re lying!
I was obsessed with placing myself above all others, above the need to
distinguish between good and bad.
Yes, above all men and all things! And that is me. And I am you!
No! When I want to, I can control you.
I wish I had never set you free. Leave me alone! It is all over. I will never take
that potion again. I have no more salts and they are indispensible for the
potion, you’ll never take me over again. You will be trapped in you prison and I
will keep shut the doors forever!
There is a knock at the door and Mary’s voice calls.
Mary:
Doctor, please don’t be angry with me but you seemed so afflicted, I went for
the salts to cure you. If you don’t want to take them now, at least save them in
case your condition returns. Doctor? Do you hear me, Are you feeling better?
The door opens and a crestfallen Dr. Jekyll takes the package of salts from Mary. He measures out
a portion, mixes them in a flask, drinks deeply, and is transformed completely into Mr. Hyde. He
gives a devilish howling laugh of victory.
Hyde:
Jekyll, you fool! I knew I would have the best of you. Now the whole word will
meet the true Mr. Hyde!
10
SCENE SEVEN
A SITTING ROOM IN DR. JEKYLL’S HOME.
Mary is sitting in an armchair crying unconsoleably. Mr. Utterson paces back and forth behind her.
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
I was sitting on a chest, looking out the upstairs window. There was a full
moon, and suddenly, below in the street, I saw a well-dressed gentleman
approach the house. He met another man. At first I didn’t recognize the other
man, but when the light from the streetlight fell on his face, I was it was Mr.
Hyde. The well-dressed gentleman greeted him and they began to talk.
You couldn’t hear what they were saying?
No, but the well-dressed gentleman said something that angered Mr. hayed.
He suddenly started to stomp the ground like… like…
Like a madman?
Yes, like a madman, like somebody out of control. The well-dressed gentleman
took several steps backwards and then… (She sobs)… Mr. Hyde started to beat
him with his cane with such brutal rage that… that… I couldn’t stand to watch
and I fainted.
When did you regain consciousness?
About 2 o’clock in the morning. The gentleman was lying there in the street,
perfectly still, and the cane was by his side, broken in pieces. Then I called the
police.
The victim was Sir Danvers Carew. Tell me, Mary, did you recognize the cane
that Mr. Hyde carried?
(Shocked) Why do you ask?
Don’t be afraid, Mary, I am only trying to help. You know I am a friend of Dr.
Jekyll’s. Did you recognize the cane that Mr. Hyde was carrying?
The cane… I don’t know, and that’s the truth.
Utterson exits and returns with the pieces of a broken cane.
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
You remember that I gave this cane to Dr. Jekyll some years ago as a birthday
present?
Yes, of course, but for God’s sake, the Doctor couldn’t have anything to do
with this murder.
Certainly not, Mary, but I also hope that the Doctor will now have nothing
more to do with this evil assassin, Mr. Hyde.
Oh Mr. Utterson, Dr. Jekyll is disconsolate, truly beside himself about the
incident.
Has he said anything to you about it?
I heard him curse Mr. Hyde and he swore he was not going to have anything
more to do with him.
I hope Dr. Jekyll is good to his word.
11
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
There is another thing. Mr. Utterson. I found a letter from Mr. Hyde addressed
to Dr. Jekyll.
Do you have it with you?
yes, but…
Trust me, Mary, I beg you. I will do everything I can to help the doctor.
Mary takes the letter from her pocket and gives it to Utterson. He reads it and registers surprise.
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Is anything wrong?
And the envelope, where is it?
I found only this letter on the floor of the laboratory. Perhaps Dr. Jekyll
destroyed the envelope?
This is a farewell letter. Mr. Hyde assures Doctor Jekyll that he will not be seen
around here again.
Mr. Hyde was a monster. I was always afraid that he would do something to
harm my master.
I had the same fears, Mary.
I am afraid that this murder has driven Doctor Jekyll insane.
Why do you say that?
I listen at the laboratory door sometimes, Mr. Utterson, the Doctor has locked
himself in there so much recently, and I hear all sorts of incoherent mumblings
and cries, like a tormented soul, really.
Like what, Mary?
He shouts at Mr. Hyde, as if Mr. Hyde were in the laboratory with him. This
morning the Doctor was saying, “I have learned my lesson, you hear me, Hyde!
I have learned my lesson well.” (Mary hides her face in her hands and cries.)
Don’t cry any more, Mary. Hyde has gone forever now, this letter assures us of
that. We won’t see his ugly face around here any more.
Utterson inspects the handwriting of the letter, stops in thought for a moment, then places the
letter in his pocket.
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary, if anything strange happens with the Doctor, I want you to let me know
as soon as you can. You know where I live?
Yes, Mr. Utterson.
Remember, don’t hesitate. If you need me, come get me immediately, no
matter what time of day or night.
12
SCENE EIGHT
MRS. LANYON’S SITTING ROOM.
Mrs. Lanyon is seated reading a newspaper. Mr. Utterson enters.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Good day, Mr. Utterson.
Good day. How are you feeling today?
I am still quite bothered by the incident.
(He looks at the newspaper.) Is there any news about the murder?
The police are offering a reward for anyone who knows the whereabouts of
Mr. Hyde.
I am afraid he has disappeared as if by magic.
Remember the first time you spoke to me about this Mr. Hyde? You were
quite worried, and it seems you had reason to be. This is the worst we could
have imagined. Danvers Carew was a good man, a very respectable citizen, a
member of Parliament. His murder is quite disgraceful.
There was always something about Mr. Hyde that struck fear in one’s heart. As
if…
As if he were evil itself.
Yes, that’s it. There seems to be only one bit of good in this whole sordid
situation.
And what could that be?
Dr. Jekyll seems to be a new man recently. He seems happy, confident, the
friend and fine gentleman he always was.
So it would seem, but there is still something about Dr. Jekyll that bothers me.
Are you referring to his scientific theories?
Science is not independent of morality and goodness, my dear Mr. Utterson.
And if science ever manages to go its own way, the whole world will be a much
worse place for it.
Mary enters in a hurry and out of breathe, clearly agitated.
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Thank goodness I found you, Mr. Utterson!
What’s the matter, Mary. Is Dr. Jekyll sick?
Something horrible is happening, sir.
Clam yourself, my dear. Here, sit and drink a glass of water before you try to
speak.
Dr. Jekyll has locked himself in his laboratory and won’t come out. I’m afraid
something’s happening to him.
What are you afraid of?
I already told you, he’s been shouting and carrying on inside like a man
possessed.
13
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mary:
Mary, you say the Doctor has locked himself in his laboratory. How long has he
been in there?
A week. But I don’t think whoever is in there is the Doctor. I think the Doctor’s
been murdered and his assassin has locked himself in the laboratory.
But if someone has murdered Dr. Jekyll, why would he lock himself in the
laboratory? That is absurd! And you say you still hear him shouting?
But the voice is not the Doctor’s voice. It sounds more like Mr. Hyde’s!
Are you certain?
I have been the Doctor’s maid for quite some time now, and I am sure I can
recognize his voice. Mr. Hyde, or whoever is in the laboratory, is also leaving
notes under the door asking for the same mineral salts that the Doctor had me
order for him, and he is asking for them at all hours of the day and night. (She
takes a note from her pocket.) You see? This is not the Doctor’s handwriting.
Utterson takes the farewell letter from his pocket and compares the handwriting to the note. Then
he gives both of them to Mrs. Lanyon.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
(Reads the note) “… is a question of life and death.”
Tell me something, Mary. Has anyone seen the Doctor in the last week?
One of the other servants, but only a glimpse. He said the Doctor entered the
laboratory from the garden, but it might not have been him. Do you think it
might be the murder, and be has locked himself inside the laboratory? (She
begins to panic.) Yes, it must have been Mr. Hyde and he has come back. He’s
killed the Doctor and locked himself in the laboratory!
None of this makes any sense. We must find out what is happening. Come,
Mary. (They start to leave.)
Utterson, you don’t think you are going to leave me here, do you?
Mrs. Laynon, in your condition, you don’t think you could…
If you could wheel me into my bedroom, you should be able to wheel me to
Dr. Jekyll’s house, couldn’t you?
You’re being impossible, but all right, let’s go!
SCENE NINE
DR. JAKYLL’S LABORATORY, LATER THAT NIGHT.
Mr. Utterson. Mrs. Lanyon and Mary approach the door. It is dark.
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mary, is there anything we could use to defend ourselves?
I’ll get the fireplace poker from the kitchen.
She exits and returns with the poker. She hands it to Utterson who leads them into the laboratory.
From the other side of the room. Hyde appears, dragging himself across the floor, consuming the
contents of a laboratory flask.
14
Mr. Utterson:
Hyde:
Mr. Utterson:
Jekyll, is that you? Who are you?
I beg you, Utterson, have mercy.
That is not the voice of Dr. Jekyll. It’s Hyde!
Utterson turns on the lights. Hyde falls to the floor. Experiences a number of severe convulsions
then lays prostrate, dead. Utterson kneels over him, examines the flask and confirms that Hyde is
dead.
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
We have arrived too late to either save or punish, I am afraid Mr. Hyde is
dead. (He surveys the room.) And there is not a sign of Dr. Jekyll.
(Crying.) Maybe Hyde buried him in the garden?
Utterson and Mary exit to the garden to look for Jekyll. Mrs. Lanyon discovers a letter on top of a
table. She reads it and registers shock and surprise. Utterson and Mary enter.
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Don’t bother looking any more, Utterson. Jekyll is here.
Where?
Mrs. Lanyon indicates the body of Hyde.
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
This isn’t Jekyll, Hyde, can’t you see that?
This is Dr. Jekyll. Don’t you see what has happened? I am afraid that Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde are one and the same person.
I am afraid the shock has upset you terribly, Mrs. Lanyon.
She gives the letter to Utterson. He reads it dumbfounded.
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mary:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
This is incredible. This is the scheme of a madman!
What does the letter say? Where is Dr. Jekyll?
Mary, I am sorry but this is a very strange and cruel tale. The man you see
here, who we all know to be the evil Mr. Hyde, is also the good Dr. Jekyll.
You’re making fun of a poor girl.
I wouldn’t think of it, Mary. It seems Dr. Jekyll discovered a potion that would
bring out his other self, his dark side, the side of him that was cruel, evil even
capable of murder.
That’s not true. Dr. Jekyll could never be a murderer. He was a good, decent
man!
But he was also a scientist…
A very proud, ambitious scientist…
And that was his downfall, Mary. Let me explain. You are a good girl, Mary and
you would never do anyone any harm. But aren’t there ever times when you
have bad thoughts, thoughts of revenge, or anger. Aren’t there ever times you
want to rebel against your good nature?
My mother always said we should try to kill the demon that we all have in us.
And that is as it should be, Mary. But poor Dr. Jekyll didn’t want to kill that
demon.
Quite the contrary, he wanted to make that demon stronger and stronger.
15
Mary:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Why?
… because of his ambition…
Maybe he thought he was strong enough himself to control his darker side.
But his demon grew stronger and ended up overcoming him, dominating him
completely.
In this letter Jekyll admits that Hyde’s murder of Mr. Carew horrified him so
much that he didn’t take the potion for a long time. Hoping to rid himself of
Mr. Hyde.
That is when you found the farewell letter from Mr. Hyde saying that he was
going away forever. The Dr. Jekyll you knew then was the true, good Dr. Jekyll.
But Hyde finally won out and took over the poor doctor completely.
Mary has been crying softly while Utterson and Lanyon explained the doctor’s demise. As they
finish, she gets a grip on herself and dries her tears.
Mary:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
Mr. Utterson:
Mrs. Lanyon:
No, the person who drank the poison that killed Mr. Hyde must have been Dr.
Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll may have allowed Mr. Hyde to do a certain amount of evil in
this world, but Dr. Jekyll conquered Mr. Hyde in the end, even if he paid for it
with his life. Don’t you see? Dr. Jekyll killed Mr. Hyde, he killed the demon that
he carried inside him.
Then everything is clear. It will be as you suggest, Mary. The body here is the
body of the murderer, Mr. Hyde. There is not a trace of Dr. Jekyll anywhere.
That is what we will report to the police. All that is left is this one letter that
explains everything.
Give me the letter, Mr. Utterson. I will safeguard it.
Mary, go tell the police that we have finally found Mr. Hyde. (She exits.) What
do you plan to do with the letter?
It will be the last chapter in my book.
Your book?
Not really. My literary style is quite horrid. But you remember the niece I was
telling you about? Well, she has met a young man, a writer, actually. I plan to
tell him this story so he can put it in a book.
And what do you think would be a good title for this story?
I should think “The Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” would be a good
one.
By the way, what is this young writer’s name?
His first name is Robert… or is it Mark? At any rate, his last name is Stevenson,
of that I am sure.
I don’t know if this story would really interest anyone. I doubt this Mr.
Stevenson will actually be able to publish it.
Who knows, Mr. Utterson, who knows?
THE END
16
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Why does Mr. Utterson seen so worried when he first visits Mrs. Lanyon?
2. What could be considered very unusual about Dr. Jekyll’s will and testament?
3. What do you think Mr. Hyde suggested in a whisper to Mary when they first met that upset
her so?
4. What was Dr. Jekyll opinion of Mrs. Lanyon’s husband?
5. Why does Dr. Jekyll command Mary not to bring him any more of the mineral salts he used
to order from the chemists?
6. What reasons does Hyde give to convince Dr. Jekyll to “Set him free”?
7. Why does Dr. Jekyll want to keep Mr. Hyde “imprisoned” forever?
8. Who is Danvers Carew and what happens to him?
9. How do Mr. Utterson and Mrs. Laynon discover what really happened to Dr. Jekyll?
10. Why do Mary, Mr. Utterson and Mrs. Lanyon decide not to tell the police what happened to
Dr. Jekyll?
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS
Use the most correct idiomatic expression listed below to complete the following sentences.
A. put his mind at ease.
B. a falling out.
C. his blood run cold.
D. a great weight lifted from his
shoulders.
E. beat around the bush.
F. get a grip on himself.
G. get right to the point.
H. train of thought.
I. render accounts.
J. to put everything to rights.
17
1. She was trying to figure out the mathematics problem, but when the news came on, it
broke her ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Instead
of
telling
us
exactly
what
happened,
Mary
continued
to
………………………………………………………….., the telling us all sorts of facts that had nothing to do
with the problem.
3. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Lanyon had been good friends for a long time, but then they had
…………………………………………………………………………………………….. because of their scientific
disagreements.
4. The patient was very worried about the spot on his skin, but the doctor was able to
…………………………………………………………………………….. by explaining that it was only a wart.
5. When the hunter was face to face with the lion, it was a sight to make
…………………………………………………
6. When the man confessed his crimes he felt ………………………………………………………………..
7. When the man saw the accident, he was so upset that he couldn’t
…………………………………………………………………
8. When the groom arrived late for the wedding, he realized he had made a mess of things,
but he promised ……………………………………………………………………………………………
9. “I won’t waste any time discussing, I will …………………………………………………………………..
10. He needs to explain his actions, but I am sure when he comes he will
…………………………………………………………………….
18
VOCABULARY
ENGLYSH
ESPAÑOL
Notion
Opinión, idea, capricho.
Eccentric
Extravagante
rumor
chisme
counterfeit
falsificado
alarmist
alarmista
blackmail
chantaje
sage
sabio
valor
coraje
toast (to)
brindar
patent
evidente
pedant
pedante
Flask
frasco
Strew (to)
esparcir
libertine
libertino
render (to)
dar cuenta de
ranting
fanfarrón
squalid
asqueroso
pernicious
pernicioso
remorse
remordimiento
potion
pócima
concoct (to)
confeccionar
19
dormant
dormido
trample (to)
pisotear
crestfallen
cabizbajo
stomp (to)
hollar
faint (to)
desmayarse
disconsolate
inconsolable
incoherent
ininteligible
mumbling
refunfuñeo
sordid
miserable
agitated
perturbado
poker
atizador
dumbfounded
pasmado
demise
muerte
grievance
agravio
slight (a)
desaire, insulto
outrage
atrocidad
disfigured
desfigurado
trace
rastro, huella
niece
sobrina
elves
duendes
safeguard (to)
salvaguardar
chemist
químico o farmacéutico
20