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Q – What was your reaction when you began to notice your son’s symptoms? A – At first I brushed it off, thinking it was merely the death of his father, and later our marriage following so briefly after. But now I am unsure if those are the only reasons. I am afraid we will lose him. Q – Do you have any ideas about why Hamlet has gone mad? A – Again, I do not know. At times he behaves like his old self, but in a short moment he is babbling nonsense, seeing things others cannot, and– He does not act like himself. He is almost disrespectful to both King Claudius and me. I still think that it began shortly after his father’s death, but some believe he may be mad with love. Q – Have you and King Claudius discussed any ways to bring Hamlet back to sanity? A – We have tried a few different methods, though none have worked. We even called upon two of Hamlet’s childhood friends. His moods seem to fluxuate, so it is hard to pinpoint when the best time to observe him is. Q – Two of Hamlet’s childhood friends to come to Denmark? Who were they? What was the result? A – We sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; sadly, they learned nothing. They told us that he acted exactly as he used to, though he was depressed. He just hasn’t gotten over his father’s death. Everyone dies at one point, and it has been months since old Hamlet was bitten by a snake in the garden.
HAMLET GONE MAD?
Q – When did you first start noticing Hamlet sporting symptoms of his madness? A – I believe it was shortly after my brother’s death. I told him that he was being unmanly in his grieving – it had been months – but I now see that that may have been the beginning. Hamlet is just overly sensitive, and his father’s death in addition with not becoming King pushed him over the edge. Have you enlisted any help from family and close friends of Hamlet, and yourself? A – Why, yes. My…good friend Polonius has aided us quite a bit. He has lent his hand in a few attempts to discover what caused Hamlet to change so drastically. We also called upon two of Hamlet’s childhood friends.
Q – What is life like with an ill son? How would you describe your relationship with Hamlet, before and after he lost his sanity? A – In all honesty, it is very hard to cope sometimes. Hamlet and his mother are both so close to my heart; Gertrude and I are heartbroken over our predicament. Hamlet and I have always been so close, even when he was a boy. He was the son I’d be proud to call my own. But now, Hamlet has turned into someone else…I am at odds about how to handle the situation, taking into consideration the health of the State, Hamlet, and Queen Gertrude and I. Q – We have already interviewed Queen Gertrude, and she believes that Hamlet has gone mad because of his father’s death and your marriage so briefly following. You lost your brother when Hamlet lost his father; do you think that that is reason enough? A – No, that is not the reason for the boy’s insanity. Hamlet was a good King, and his death tragic, but it was not reason enough to drive a man mad. Young Hamlet is not mad simply because of his father’s death. I do not believe it was caused by anything. Hamlet has always been a bit odd.
Polonius, of King Claudius: "I think of him as a brother, as a friend, and his pain is my own, his loss, my loss. I feel as he does about Prince Hamlet. The poor boy…"
The Harcourt Star
Q – How well do you know Hamlet? What is your relationship to him and the rest of the family? A – King Claudius is a very very dear friend of mine. I do believe that I am his one of his most trusted colleagues and that he holds me close to his heart. My devotion to good Claudius knows no end, and I will always work towards the good of the Kingdom. Claudius has always been a man I admired, and he will always be that person. I think of
him as a brother, as a friend, and his pain is my own, his loss, my loss. I feel as he does about Prince Hamlet. The poor boy…such an unfortunate situation. Q – We have talked to several people in the Kingdom, and we want your opinion. Why has Prince Hamlet gone mad? A – He’s mad with love! He loves my daughter but she refused the tokens of love he sent her! Shortly after she rejected him, Hamlet came into our house and frightened the daylights out of her. He walked in and held her an arms’ length away, saying nothing, only staring. Then he walked out! He was dishevelled and unshaven; he looked as if he had been awake all night! I have talked to the boy and his replies are almost completely irrelevant…just nonsense. I have seen his behaviour around Ophelia, Hamlet is clearly mad from love. Q – You did not allow your daughter, the beautiful Ophelia, to be interviewed. Why is this? Ophelia is very young and nave; she does not need to be in this print. This problem with A – Hamlet has frightened her, and she does not need this attention and gossip in her life at the moment. Q – You said that you have talked with Hamlet, but he would only reply with nonsense. What do you mean by nonsense? A – Well I would ask him a simple question, such as “How are you?” and Hamlet would reply with “God have mercy”! He at times does not recognize me…he thought I was a fishmonger! He did not even know that I had a daughter! In the middle of a speech about maggots, he asks me if I have a daughter, then tells me to keep her out of the sun. Hamlet is rude, and does not understand simple questions; he confuses phrases and misinterprets them. He has changed so very much.
Wow! There seems to be a lot of uncertainty in the castle involving Hamlet's new attitude! Is he in love? Is he overcome with grief for his father? Or is it something entirely different? It's up to you to decide! But your decision will have to wait...we interviewed one more person: Hamlet himself! Flip the page to witness his madness firsthand!
Hmm. He seemed to be very unsure of his opinion! Have you heard about his reaction to the play Hamlet organized? Check it out on page 4! Hing Claudius' friend, Polonius, is positive that he knows the cause of Hamlet's madness.
We interviewed a number of people close to Hamlet to give you the juicy details! We interviewed Queen Gertrude first.
We then interviewed King Claudius.
