Act I from the perspective of Horatio
Dear Diary, December 10, 1600
At first, I thought it was crazy that Marcellus and Bernardo dragged me out in the middle of the night to see a ghost. It terrified me when one actually appeared! The ghost oddly resembled Hamlet Sr. It was even wearing the armor that the King wore when he battled Norway. I told Marcellus and Bernardo that the ghost could be a bad omen for Denmark. Since Hamlet Sr. took lands from Norway, Fortinbras could be preparing to attack Denmark. I tried speaking to it, but it refused to say anything to me. I think I need to tell my good friend, Hamlet, that I saw this ghost. He should go see it for himself. Maybe if the ghost really is Hamlet Sr, it will certainly speak to his son, Hamlet. I told Marcellus and Bernardo, “Let us impart what we have seen tonight Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life, This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him,” (Act I, Scene I, 6). I believe it is our duty to our friend and our country to tell Hamlet this shocking news.
Dear Diary, December 11, 1600
I went to see King Claudius’ speech today. It is quite the controversy that he married Gertrude, Hamlet Sr.’s widow. I had to come to Denmark to see it for myself. I am sure Hamlet is very upset by this, and I knew the news of the ghost I saw last night would disturb him even more. After the speech, I approached Hamlet to speak with him about last night. My dear friend knows me too well. He did not believe that I only traveled to Denmark to pay my respects at the funeral; he knew I wanted to come for the wedding. Hamlet told me, “I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow-student; I think it was to see my mother’s wedding,” (Act I, Scene II, 12). I admitted to him, “Indeed, my lord, it follow’d hard upon,” (Act I, Scene II, 12). I told Hamlet about the apparition, and of course he was skeptical. He agreed to come tonight to see the ghost. I hope that the ghost speaks to Hamlet!
Dear Diary, December 11, 1600
It is almost night, and we are about to go to the platform to attempt to see the ghost. However, I have heard gossip around Elsinore Castle that my dear friend may be entering into a romance with Ophelia, Polonius’s daughter. I fear this could end poorly for Hamlet. It is now time to venture to the platform. I pray the ghost appears, or Hamlet will think I am crazy.
Dear Diary, December 12, 1600
The ghost appeared on the platform last night! It even spoke to Hamlet, but it went off to speak to him alone. When Hamlet returned, he seemed very distraught. He made us swear many times that we would never speak to anyone about what we saw. I wish Hamlet would just tell me what the ghost said to him. Maybe I could help him if he shared what the ghost told him. I fear Hamlet will let this vision of the ghost overpower him and he will go crazy.
Page done by Taylor