Hudson High School - True Blue Yearbook (Hudson, WI)

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 the people, that Claudius is guilty, and do this without bringing disgrace upon his mother. This burden bears heavily upon Ham- let’s mind, and it is not surprising that he said, “The time is out of joint! O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it ri ht! Ham- let s purpose mu-Jt be worked out under difficult conditions: he must have positive proof of his uncle’s guilt before he can convince the people; he must form his plans so that no onesuspect him, least of all Claudius. Horatio is Hamlet’s tyue friend, audit is to him alone, that Hamlet reveals his plans. Hamlet thinks his purpose can be carried out more successfully by pretending insanity, and for this reason, he assumes the conduct of an insane person, acting a great deal differently in the presence of the king, than in the presence of his mother or Horatio. One of the results of his scheme is that when Claudius invites the plavers to come to the court, simply to amuse Hamlet, he .Hamlet, uses it as a means for carrying out his plot. While this is only an ordinary amusement, Hamlet inserts in the play the dumb show, entitled “The Murder of Gonzago,’ which exactly corresponds to the way in which his own father was murdered. He and his friend Horatio note the effect of his play upon Claud ius, thus strengthening Hamlet's suspicions against him. After the show, Hamlet is called into his mother's room for an interview with her. As he is on his way there, he has an opportunity to kill Claudius, while he is unaware of it, but Hamlet thinks this would be cowardly, and would not carry out his real purpose. Pol. onius, a friend of the king notices Hamlet enter his mother's chamber, and so conceals himself behind the arras, and listens to the conversation In a few moments, Hamlet, hearing a noise from that direction, and thinking it to be Claudius, stabs him. Pol- onious dies immediately and in a short time Hamlet’s rash act is made known. The climax of the play is reached when Claudius, becoming suspicious of Hamlet, proposes sending him to England after he has killed Polonius. Hamlet accepts the proposal willingly; and with liosencrantz and Gildenstern, the king.s servants, sails for England. This is one instance where fate enters iu and causes

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-2 will work out very well. Many persons who have the ability to speak either do riot re- alize the fact or are too bashful to take up this line of work of their own accord. By this system, their ability will be discovered and they will be given a chance to enter into the league contests. Two numbers of the lecture course have been given. The first one was Benjamin Chapin’s “Impersonation of Lincoln”. This un- ique entertainment was a portrayal of scenes enacted at the White House by Abraham Lincoln. It is asserted that Lincoln’s voice, features, and actions are faithfully reproduced by Mr. Chapin. Per- haps no man has come nearer to the hearts of the people than Pres, ident Lincoln, and to undertake what Mr. Chapin has, and is now doing is certainly a gigantic task. Although few students were present, all who heard him were exceedingly well pleased. The second entertainment was a concert by the Wolcott—Nor- fleet Company. A large number of students were present ai this entertainment, but nevertheless notas many as might be expected- If the interest and enthusiasm in thelecture course was as marked as the interest in the recent play, the lectures would be a great success. As loyal students of Hudson High School, you should put your shoulders to the wheel and push the remaining numbers to success. HAMLET S COURSE OF ACTION At the opening of the play, “Hamlet,” affairs in Denmark are at a crisis. The elder Hamlet, the late king of Denmark, has died, supposing to have been stung by a serpent, when, in reality, he was killed by his brother. Hamlet has returned from college in time to attend his father’s funeral. Claudius then takes the throne, and within two months he marries Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, thus giv- ing Hamlet a double cause for grief. Shortly after Hamlet’s return to Denmark, a ghost appears to him and tells him the true story of his father’s death, placing the blame upon Claudius. Hamlet’s angeris aroused, and he vows to revenge his father’s death, laying aside all other pleasures, and ev- en his attentions to Ophelia, whom he deeply loves. He must not only revenge his father’s death, but he must prove in the eyes of

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4 delay; as Hamlet might have had an opportunity to kill Claudius, before ho did, if this incident had not happened. While sailing for England, their ship is captured by pirates, and in a sea- fight which follows, Hamlet is separated from his companions and re turns to Denmark; although, in the meautime, he has found the king’s letter, which decrees his own death, and changed it, insert ing the bearer’s name in place of his own, this causing the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet has waited for an opportune time, to carryout his pur pose. At last the time comes. Laertes' a son of Polonius. is ready to take revenge on Hamlet, for his father. Hamlet accepts Laertes’challenge, and they fight a duel. Before the combat, Claudius prepared a bowl of wine for Hamlet to insure his death, in which poison had been placed; after this had been offered to Hamlet who refuses it the queen drinks of it and dies. The king's plan to poison Hamlet is now evident. Hamlet immediately kills him, and utters these words,—’’Here, thou incestuous, murderous Dane, Drink off this potion. Follow my mother.” Hamlet, hinself has been mortally wounded by Laertes’ pois oned sword, as has Laertes himself, but before he dies Hamlet tells his friend, Horatio, to report his cause to the people, whom he be- leives are now pretty thoroughly convinced of the kings guilt. Hamlet has now accomplished every part, of his pnrpose: first, he has revenged his father’s death: second, he has convinced the people of the king's guilt. Although Hamlet is a man of strong character and great men tality, I cannot sympathize with him in all parts of the play; or give to him alone the credit of revenging his father 's death, Even though Hamlet is responsible for the successful planning of the re- venge, in my opinion more credit should be given to faie; had it not been for the shipwreck, and Hamlet’s fortunate return to Denmark the revenge could never have been accomplished. The moral of the play, is as Hamlet says: “There’s a divinity that shapes onr ends: rough-hew them how we will.” L. B.—’13.