Justin+Bourassa



Dear Diary,

Without you I would have no one to confess to, since not even God himself will ever forgive me for my most treacherous sins. My kingdom was supposed to be perfect and even now, months after the deed, I must still handle issues that the late king has cursed upon me. Polonius has just recently brought to my attention that his daughter approached him rather distraught over the actions of my so called step-son Hamlet. When is that boy not getting himself into trouble? Polonius even said that Hamlet went so far as too hurt Ophelia just after he traumatized her. Is he mad? I have a reputation to uphold, and I don’t need fools like him in my court tarnishing my name. Hamlet must be trying to get my attention, and I can only fear that his sudden change in character is a sign that he knows something about the circumstances of his father’s death. If that truly is the case then my state is in danger and I must act now before anything else can happen. My dear, dear wife Gertrude has also been driving me up the wall with her worry for his state, and I’m forced to put a false face on when in reality I know he’s up to something. I couldn't care less about that poor excuse for a son and this deceitful madness must stop before he’s caused any more concern. Since no one has been able to get through to him, Gertrude and I have agreed to send two of Hamlet’s closest friends from his childhood, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. I swore them to discover the secrets behind Hamlet’s “madness” and I trust they will have something for me before too long. Gertrude said they are very trustworthy and worry only about Hamlet’s health, but even then I am still nervous about what is too come from what Hamlet knows, and I fear I cannot trust these friends of his. It is only the news from Voltimand that is keeping me going, and at least now I do not have to stay up over the fear of a Norwegian invasion. The luck that Fortinbras decided to attack Poland instead was music to my ears and just what I needed with all the fuss about Hamlet circulating the court. I cannot imagine what would happen if Hamlet knew of the truth behind his father’s death and that I, his uncle ended the King’s life. Perhaps Hamlet does not know a thing. Polonius did also inform me that Hamlet had taken a liking to his daughter Ophelia. Could it be love that is driving him mad and not what I fear most of all? He even went out of his way to write her a love note. I do hope the two I've assigned to spy on Hamlet come back with good news, I can’t take any more stress than what the past few months have provided. Grieving is not my specialty but being king is and I plan to keep my throne with or without Hamlet around.

Signed, King Claudius

