The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Hanna asks about school and languages; Michael recites Latin and Greek, then reads Lessing to her.

Scene 35 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Hanna
Michael

Act oneAct two

Begins 14 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 35

As a law student, Michael sees Hanna, his former lover, on trial for war crimes and must face the secret that shaped their teenage relationship.

Scenes 1–6
In 1995, Michael prepares breakfast for Brigitte, then is alone in his apartment and looks out the window.
Scenes 7–24
The sick schoolboy Michael accepts Hanna’s help and returns to her.
Scene 25
After returning to Hanna’s apartment, Michael bathes with her and they begin their affair.
Just before
Scene 32
A teacher explains secrecy as central to literature; Michael listens contentedly until the bell.
Scene 33
The schoolboys leave class; newly confident Michael lingers, then slips away alone.
Scene 34
Michael sneaks out the school’s back door, climbs the railings, and runs down the street.
Scene 35
This scene

35INT. HANNA’S APARTMENT. EVE

Later. Dark. MICHAEL is almost asleep, HANNA awake.

HANNA

You never tell me what you’ve been

studying.

MICHAEL

Studying?

HANNA

At school. Do you learn languages?

MICHAEL

Yes.

HANNA

What languages?

MICHAEL

Latin.

HANNA

Say something in Latin.

MICHAEL

Oh...

MICHAEL thinks a moment.

MICHAEL

Quo, quo scelesti ruitis? Aut cur

dexteris aptantur enses conditi?

MICHAEL smiles slightly.

MICHAEL

It’s Horace.

HANNA

It’s wonderful.

MICHAEL

Do you want some Greek?

MICHAEL grins, pleased to be able to do something. He goes and gets his satchel. HANNA turns on a light.

MICHAEL

Oi men ippeon stroton oi de pesedon

oi da naon phais epi gan malainan

emmenai kalliston, ego de ken otto

tis eratai.

HANNA

It’s beautiful.

MICHAEL

How can you tell? How do you know

when you’ve no idea what it means?

HANNA looks at him a moment.

HANNA

What about in German?

MICHAEL

In German?

HANNA

Do you have anything?

MICHAEL

Well, I’m writing an essay. It’s

about a play. By a writer called

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. Perhaps

you’ve heard of him?

HANNA makes no reaction.

MICHAEL