Blog Assignment #1 Horatio

Write about the political -- and social issues -- surrounding the marriage of Claudius and Gertrude from the perspective of Fortinbras or Horatio. Fortinbras might also want to address his own "atonement of the father" as he addresses what is taking place in Denmark.

 

I fear that these are rough times in Denmark. While it is hard for me to completely grasp what is going on, it would take a fool not to realize that something is amiss. With a logical mind, it would be considered impossible what I saw the other day: none other than the ghost of our old King Hamlet! When Barnado and Marcellus both alerted me of the presence of a ghost, I had, at first, scoffed at any such inquiry. When both insisted that this ghost would once again show itself I said, "Oh, nonsense. It's not going to appear," (1.1.33). But, within no time at all, there the ghost appeared, clad in full armor. I consider myself a very reasonable, logical man, so you must believe me good readers when I say that I am not mistaken in what I saw. The similarties between the ghost and the old King were too close. "Such was the very armor he had on when he the ambitious Norway combated," (1.1.59-60).

 

I could not help myself but notice that these strange occurences have been happening ever since Claudius and Gertrude married, soon after the death of King Hamlet. What a shame, for such an incestuous marriage to occur so soon after the passing of the King. The sheer presence of the ghost of the deceased King said all that I needed to know. Trouble was about to befall Denmark, and while I don't know exactly what that strife may be, it was my duty to alert Prince Hamlet immediately. At the same time of the appearance of this ghost, I have caught wind of a disturbance from neighboring Norway. "As it doth well appear unto our state- But to recover of us, by strong hand," (1.1.101-102). It appears to me that young Fortinbras of Norway believes the marriage of Claudius and Gertrude as a symbol of the current weakness of our great nation. He plans to strike quickly while Denmark is in these times of trouble. "Young Fortinbras, holding a weak supposal of our worth or thinking by our late dear brother's death our state to be disjoint and out of frame, colleagued with the dream of his advantage, he hath not failed to pester us with message importing the surrender of those lands," (1.2.18-23). While Claudius may be able to speak with great confidence, I highly doubt that Denmark is as secure as he is suggesting.

 

And thus I felt it my duty to warn young Hamlet of what I had seen and also about the troubles that I feared were about to fall upon Denmark. Once alone with Hamlet, I explained, "Two nights together had these gentlemen, Marcellus and Barnardo, on their watch, in the dead waste and middle of the night, been thus encountered: a figure like your father," (1.2.196-199). As I knew he would be, Hamlet was astonished at the news I had brought and asked if he could keep watch with us that night to see the ghost. I fear that the ghost is in fact a demon sent to cause unrest to the young Hamlet in this time of turmoil. "What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the cliff that beetles o'er his base into the sea," (1.4.72-74). Against my wishes, the Prince went with the ghost. The details of this meeting I do not know. Afterwards, Hamlet would only say that I could not speak of these appearances of the ghost to anyone. Thinking myself a loyal follower, I swore on his sword.

 

With these appearances of the ghost and the threat of Fortinbras entering into Denmark, these are indeed troubled times for Denmark. These turmoils are coming at a time directly after the incestuous marriage of Claudius and Gertrude, and it is hard for me to believe that these events are not somehow interconnected. While I do not know at the moment what is amiss, you will be sure that I will find out and that I will be next to my Prince every step of the way.

 

Horatio