Blog Comments

Blog #1:  Andrew (Claudius)

My dearest Claudius,

I agree that Hamlet’s depression is deeply troubling. He no longer finds the same enjoyment in activities like he used to and his comments always seem to have some deeper meaning, like earlier today when he said “…I am too much in the sun.” (1.2.69). The fact that he’s also contemplating suicide also has me very worried. I know that he’s been difficult lately, but I hope you remember what he used to be like as well as I do. I think all we can do is hope that he overcomes his feelings of sorrow and grow used to the idea of our new family. And while I agree that he has been grieving for his father for far too long I have to disagree with you when you said that it was “unmanly” (1.2.102). Hamlet should be allowed to grieve without having to worry about people thinking that he’s not acting like a man.

Yours now and always,

Gertrude

Blog #2: Kristen (Hamlet)
Dear Hamlet,

I understand that you’re feeling that I rushed into my marriage with Claudius and I’m truly sorry that you feel the way you do about it.  I agree that this has caused a lot of change throughout the castle, but I must confess that it never really crossed my mind to talk with you about this before and now I see that it was a grave mistake.  I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me and stop all this nonsense about getting revenge.  I promise you that it will not help you in the end.  No good can come out of this.  I know that you are already making snide comments to those around you like when said to Polonius, “You are a fishmonger.” (2.2.190).  Also, when the players came and they were reciting Hecuba’s sorrow at her husband’s death you talked of Polonius saying, “He’s for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps.” (2.2.525-526).  I know that you knew who he was you’re only embarrassing yourself by continuing to make comments like these.  I hope that you stop this behavior and just try to talk to us like an adult and at least try to act like a Prince. 

Your Loving Mother,

Gertrude

Blog #3: Kendra (Ophelia)

Ophelia,

Loving someone and not having that loved returned can be one of the hardest things in life.  I know that you’re feeling small and insignificant because Hamlet isn’t returning your love like he used to, but you can’t let him keep hurting you like he has been.  I agree that his comments have been rude and extremely hurtful and I know that when someone, especially someone you care for, says things like that to you it’s easy to accept it as the truth, but you must remember that what Hamlet thinks of you isn’t what everyone else thinks of you.  While he might say, “Get thee to a nunnery!” (3.1.131) because he thinks that’s where you belong, you have to remember that all the other people that care about you, like your father and brother, know that Hamlet is wrong.  I hope that you can move on from this phase in your life and learn to let go of Hamlet.  You need to learn that love doesn’t always come with pain.  There’s someone out there for you that will love you for you and never even think about saying the things that Hamlet has said.

Wishing you well,

Gertrude

Blog #4: Lauren (Ophelia)

I agree with you when you say that Kenneth Branagh’s version of the “To be, or not to be” speech is the best.  My favorite moment of his version has to be when he pulls out his dagger while saying, “…the dread of something after death, the undiscover’d country from whose bourn no traveller returns,” (3.1.86-88).  It really pulls focus to the idea of death and convinces the viewer that Hamlet really is considering killing himself.  But I have to disagree with you when you say that he looks completely crazed.  I think he looks like he’s not doing so well at that point of time, but I don’t think he looks completely crazy.  If he was completely crazy he would no longer be debating whether or not he wants to die by stating, “ To be, or not to be—that is the question,” (3.1.64), and his thoughts wouldn’t follow a logical pattern, which they seem to do.

Blog #5: Arden (Ophelia)

Ophelia,

I completely agree with you on the fact that this Peter Seng guy didn’t feel the need to let people know that he was writing about you.  I mean really.  You just goes around writing about people without ever stopping to see if he got the facts straight!  He was right in saying that your current behavior was caused in part because of Polonius and that he ultimately died because of his “spying, sneaking, and eavesdropping,” (Seng 221).  While it causes my great pain to see you in this state I’m glad that you’re able to sort out your feelings and remember your father by saying things like, “He is dead and gone lady, he is dead and gone.  At his head is a patch of green grass and at his feet there is a tomb stone.” (4.5.34-37).

Gertrude

Blog #6: Andrew (Claudius)

My dearest Claudius,

I think that it is a great idea to have this song playing at your funeral (hopefully many years from now!).  It’s very important that they kingdom is prepared for anything and everything, even treachery.  Laertes makes this obvious when he says, “…killed by my own treachery,” (5.2.306-307).  I do disagree with you though when you say that Hamlet was crazy for having the players act out a man killing his brother to get his throne just so he could observe your reaction.  I actually think it was very smart of him and the fact that he included Horatio, telling him to “observe [his] uncle,” (3.2.85).

Your faithful wife,

Gertrude