It’s been two months and Hamlet's
darkened expression is still alive as ever! What can I do to bequeath
his depression? He is too attached to my brother when he utters the words,
"[I'm] too much i' the sun" (1.2.67) He is still very bitter about
the loss of my late brother. Why is it that Hamlet does not rejoice like the
rest of Denmark on my wedding day?! If I could I would send Hamlet away just
like how Laertes chose to leave by his own will to France when he requested of
me "Your leave and favor to return to France".(1.2.52) I want Hamlet
to like me and treat me just like his own late father. I cannot take much more
of his sad and darkened depression of his, it is contagious! If he keeps this
up, Gertrude could catch it and then how will we enjoy ourselves each night
when all she will think about is Hamlet's depressed face of the death of his
father and her ex-husband!
What must I do to lighten Hamlet and
change his darkened and sorrow heart from thinking suicidal thoughts of
"...self-slaughter..." (1.2.33) He is on the verge of killing himself
because of his grief for his father. I even told him that his father
"...lost a father, that father lost, lost his..." (1.2.89-90) but he
still grieves as if his father had just died yesterday! I commend his love for
his father, but now I want him to think of me as his own father. I want to take
the place in his heart that belonged to my brother. I want him to
"...think of us as a father..." (1.2.107-108) why must he suffer so?
Does he not know how bad depression is for himself and others?! Depression can
eat you away from the inside and make you a changed man and take hold of your
soul and twist it to its own dark and devilish design!
I will do whatever I must to
rekindle the light inside Hamlet! I will give him whatever he wants! I have
already made it known that he is my heir to the throne! What more does he want
from me? Does he think of me as an evil conniving dog?! I only wish for the
best for him and my lovely wife Gertrude. I will use all of my power as the
King of Denmark and release my son from his depressive bonds!
I am just too worried about my dear
Hamlet and my love, Gertrude. Oh how beautiful and serene she is and slowly
getting worry lines because of Hamlet. Why can Hamlet not stop this madness and
be like everyone else: happy? Why can't he forget his father, who’s been dead
for two months now! I will do whatever I can to help him, but for now let me
enjoy my honeymoon with Gertrude!
Goodbye all till next time!
~Claudius
Interesting take on this! With what we know of Claudius (or what he'd like us to know), this seems like a very legitimate approach to Hamlet's depression.
ReplyDeleteAlso . . . interesting quote here: "If I could I would send Hamlet away just like how Laertes chose to leave by his
ReplyDeleteown will to France when he requested of me "Your leave and favor to return to France".(1.2.52)"
Remember that both Gertrude and Claudius have requested that Hamlet stick around for a bit longer. Maybe the blog would be the place that Claudius acknowledges that he DID say that, but that perhaps he didn't mean it. It would also be interesting to know who the audience for the blog is. Would his REAL followers (not blog followers) have access to it? Is it a blog written along with other world rulers of the time? Interesting things to think about!
My Dear Claudius,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I have chosen a man of such valor like you. I went to bed last night thinking of how wonderful you are and I awake to this beautiful message of devotion to my son. I cannot but continue thanking you for all that you have done for Hamlet and I. I agree that he ought to start thinking of you as his father. You have tried to be the world to him and he needs to see that. You are doing all you can to get him through this period, using such flattery as, “’Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father” (1.2.87-88). However, I do not agree with you allowing him to be sent away if he asked! Especially since I have begged him, “I pray thee, stay with us. Go not to Wittenberg” (1.2.119).
Anywho, let us forget about this drama and enjoy our time together!
Much Love,
Gertrude
Husband,
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing me how much you care about my son. It means so much to me that you would try so hard to help him be happy once again. I agree that we should do anything and everything to help him. "And we beseech you, bend you to remain here in the cheer and comfort of our eye" (1.2117-118) When you said these words to Hamlet I just knew you wanted to help him. I do however disagree when you said he should get over his father's death. Like you said "But you must know your father lost a father,"(1.2 89) Just because everyone will eventually lose their father doesn't make it easy. We just need to give him time.
-Gertrude