University of Maine at Presque Isle - Salmagundi Yearbook (Presque Isle, ME)

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28 SALMAGUNDI Hamlet. ,-.-..-1--- ffs11akespea1'e was thoroughly an masts' f 'he mixed motives of human characterfl He WHS Calla' ble of drawing characters remarkably true to llffh He portrayed strong characters, weak characters, noble characters and tempestuous characters. It has been said that he had more magnanimity than any other poet, and certainly more of it has been shown in HHamlet than in any other play. , Hamlet, the young son of the late King of Den- mark, comes home two months after his fatherls death to find his mother married to his father's brother, a most unscrupulous man. This is a great trial to the young man, not only because he has lost the crown which rightfully belonged to him, but because his mother had married so soon after her husbandls death. He is' very doubtful also of the manner of his fatherls death. He believes that his uncle was the cause of it, in order that he might gain the crown. Hamlet is not a character marked by any great strength of will, but he is a youth capable of very decided action. He is a student of a philosophical turn of mind, and like Brutus is the victim of an overmastering passion. The burden of the terrible duty of avenging his father's death is laid upon him, for which he feels himself unprepared, as is plainly shown when he said: f4The time is out of joint, 0 cursed spite, That ever I was born to set it right? His reflective tendency and his will, which alter- nates between almost complete inactivity and tits of excited energy, disqualifying him for action. He is naturally a sensitive youth and the knowledge that his mother has so hastily married his uncle is a pain- ful shock. When he discovers that his father has been so foully ,murdered by one who has become his successor, and that the injunction is laid upon him to avenge the crime,+this together with repulses he re- ceives frofn Ophelia, causes 'a deep melancholv to lay hold of his spirits, and life looks dark and sad to him. He, knows that the,King suspects him of knowing the Carefully guarded Secret, and he is aware that he is surrounded by spies. Partly to baffle them, and partly to conceal his true self, he assumes the part of onp whose wits ghiwe. SQ11e' astray. Horatio is the gilgpilljgg Wappmhepregards as a loyal friend. As reorargs hervaz lough he loves her truly, he at times e no more honest or loyal to him, than his mother has been to his dead father. ' In Hamlet there is great power of sudden and des-

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SALMAGUNDI 2 7 witches too? No doubt broom-sticks pushed by nim- ble witches had something to do with it. After along and heated discussion on the time for the customary class spread, the illustriousE class finally came to the decision that the proper time for such a fete was the day after our return from the Christmas holidays. There was a variety of sugges- tions submitted for class approval but the final one that was accepted was, although a little bit from the ordinary and owing to the many discouraging diffi- culties which the E arithmetic class has to contend with it should include the entire arithmetic class, which, of course, included our teacher, Miss Davis, who appeared at her best. With Tuesday evening in view our Worthy matron, Miss Kelley, was con- sulted as she had previously offered us her assistance and the preparations were talked over. The tables were placed together, making one long table across an end of the Hall dining room. When the six o'clock dinner bell rang, the class assembled about the well'-laden table, our teacher acting as hostess. As our class comprises but one boy he was given the next seat of honor, while the others occupied the remaining chairs. Withoiit an exception every one did justice to the repast, while jokes and lively con- versation made the meal a very enjoyable one. Although it was a laborious task for the E arithmeticclass to climb the stairs to their rooms that night all felt they were amply repaid from the .enjoyment received. The members of the. Senior class with Mr. and Mrs. Hall as chaperones, after consulting Mr. Merriman, Mr. Phair, Miss Kelley, Mr. Stanchiield, the livery man, the barometer and the weather-vane, started out on a sleigliride to the home of Miss Stanchfield of Easton. We were well on our Way when the rain came down in torrents, but nevertheless, it was a happy crowd that Iinally reached its destination. Music and games were followed by a-nice lunch consisting of oyster stew, cake and coffee. Homeward bound Cmostr Sunday niornj, We found the rain and clouds had gone, The wind was blowing keen and cold, And stars and moon were growing bold, Cold fingers, rosy cheeks and laughter, Vllwas fun, but still you know that after Such a jolly, 'rollicking time like this, A good, warm bed is simply bliss.

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SNOW SHOEING . 4' v aff ww-,-Ww- f '7W..,.,,..N,..+W-f'N--...,,g, f f TENNIS