Courtney+Myrden

Dear Diary-

I do fret for my poor dear Horatio.

I know that he still cares for me deeply, but he must sacrifice his time with me to attend to the struggling Prince Hamlet. He can tell me little of what is truly taking place in the palace, but from what I have gleaned, it is a turbulent time. The King's death has affected the prince quite deeply. There is gossip that Prince Hamlet is going mad with grief; Horatio implores me not to listen to the rumours. He insists that the situation is much more complicated than I might even imagine. I am mystified, and concerned for his well-being - he seems so distracted, even when he is away from the palace - but I must place my trust in him. If I know anything about him, I know that he has the prince's best interests at heart. Horatio is a good friend, and loves the prince quite powerfully.

I have done my best to keep my promise to Horatio and disregard the rumours about Prince Hamlet. Nonetheless, the gossip about other members of the palace is hard to ignore. My dear cousin Anna is a maid in the palace, and has heard vicious tales of many kinds. She claims that Prince Hamlet has recently been rejecting the affections of his lover, Ophelia, and that she has become highly distressed over his neglect. Allegedly she has flown into rages or fits of despair in front of her handmaids. It is said that her father, Polonius, has forbidden her to seek Hamlet’s attentions any longer. He believes that the prince does not truly love her.

And oh, the scandalous rumours of the king and queen! Queen Gertrude was so quick to marry King Claudius after the death of King Hamlet. Many have ventured that their affair had begun long before the old king’s death; some even whisper that King Hamlet’s untimely passing was in fact the result of murder. I dare not tell Horatio what I have heard, though he has likely been privy to such gossip himself. To be caught spreading such outrageous beliefs would surely mean certain execution.

To hear of such scandal in the palace only increases my concern for Horatio. I do not know if he is more safe or less for the fact that the nobility have so little regard for him – I pray that he shall not find himself in danger. If he were caught up in any one of the many possible lies or plots that seem to take place in the palace, anything might happen. Between that and his involvement with the troubled prince, I fear for his security. I shall not tell him so, though; he would tell me not to worry myself for his sake. He says he is loath to see me upset for him. If he does not know I am praying for him, he cannot ask me to stop.

-Cedar