#claudius is really cute

[glowing-starlight]

Derek Jacobi as Claudius - I, Claudius (1976)

As for being half-witted: well, what can I say except that I have survived to middle age with half my wits, while thousands have died with all of theirs intact! Evidently, quality of wits is more important than quantity!

[lizardrosen]

i've spontaneously started writing more claudius/polonius today! they're holding haaands and quietly thinking dirty thoughts.

and there might even be some laertes timeloop fic emerging from the depths in the near future. i've been idly pondering various scenes and how they'd fit together and influence each other but i'm not at the point of writing anything down yet.

with any luck i'll get To This Point I Stand ready to start posting sometime before the end of november, but that's less about writing than it is convincing myself i made a good story that people will like.

[pennysperfectpolls]

Penny Poll Preliminary match 6

Penny (stardew valley)

Penelope Blossom (Riverdale)

Penny Forrester (Bolt)

Pennyuin1 (Club Penguin OC)

Only two will move on

Propaganda under the cut

Penny (Stardew Valley) Propaganda

hair is cute and she’s a great teacher

——

THAT’S MY WIFE!!!! I’m shallow, okay? I want to fulfill my dreams of butchly sweeping Penny into my arms and into wedded bliss.

Also it’s really deliciously devastating how much you can utterly break her heart, should you so choose.

Penelope Blossom (Riverdale) Propaganda

Bit of an evil bitch but I love her for it.

She is the mother of Cheryl and the late Jason Blossom, as well as the adopted sister and wife of the deceased Clifford Blossom.

Penelope suffered severe third-degree burns when running back into Thornhill to save the family portrait after Cheryl set fire to the house in an effort to "start over" with a clean slate. This gave Cheryl the opportunity to control her mother the same way she controlled and abused Cheryl.

She is also a serial killer, who poisons men who she claims are the real "poison," having taken the lives of her late husband Clifford Blossom, his brother Claudius, Darryl Doiley, Felix Featherhead, and Hal Cooper.

Without giving you even more spoilers - read more here - https://riverdale.fandom.com/wiki/Penelope_Blossom

Penny Forrester (Bolt) propaganda

Just a girl who loves her dog

Pennyuin1 (Club Penguin OC) Propaganda

My club penguin account from when I was 9. It is a pun and Pennyuin was taken.

[angevinyaoiz]

The Devil’s Crown (1978)

Not news to anyone who follows me lol, but for the folks who are now doing their seasonal The Lion in Winter watching and going “Wow I’m getting some real Succession Vibes from this weirdo family” Are you all aware that there is, indeed, a miniseries about the Plantagenets where Brian Cox indeed plays Henry II and does his own take on the famous bombastic patriarch dealing with Heir Drama…in 1978…

He’s so toxic and unhinged with lots of artistic license of course but there’s a lot of cool details from various texts included into his characterization, which I love. I especially appreciate the approach to stuff oike the Thomas Becket drama, which places it more in the historical context while still keeping in line with the homoerotic precedent. Jane Lapotaire’s Eleanor is brilliant too, and it’s great to see her as kind of the center of the story as it covers and develops over several years.

It’s available (in french) on Madelen but not really available officially on english platforms which is a shame, but you can find uploads various places if you dig around (or u can ask me… hehe)

The “style” of the show is very artistic and stylized stage-play esque, lots of not hiding the Artifice of the costumes and set, kind of in the vein of I, Claudius but kind of inspired by medieval manuscripts. Which isn’t everyone’s thing but i personally ADORE. A lot to nerd out about!

Also the toxic Dadson (x3) in it is unreal. As one of the only adaptions ever (besides Becket i think? And that one Dan Jones Goofy documentary with the reenactors) To feature Henry the Young King as a major character, they incorporate that kind of weird political/personal emotional dependency that ends up being a huge instigator of the conflict. they even do the cute dadson bed sharing at Chinon…(right before the BETRAYAL)

Anyways, I always feel like I should share… it’s tough for what’s practically a lost media bc its literally only in this Potato Quality, but for me the design and the strength of the actors and loving attention to lots of detail in the decisions made visually and storywise makes it really special to me, it’s just really neat to see! I love TLIW, but it’s also cool to see the longer version of the “story” of these figures and how it develops and changes over time, and also explores I think some of the more abuse and relational consequences over the years. It is a bit dated in its historical positions at times, like any media, but it holds together as a story well. Very strange show, very made with love, very problematically gay (for real)and incestuous (as we like it). Highly recommended to people who want a medieval experience that is both colorful and strange but also familiar…

[murkystarlight]

DREAMZZZ season2 (part 2) spoilers

(It's really just me making random comments on the episodes)

Episode 17

Yes, Izzie. We're going to the beast realm-

Dizzy apparently is still here- what. Are they buddies now? Or what

Wildoria- ooh

Z! Don't eat that-

Nova jumping behind Iz. (Nice to see Nova and Sneak more often)

Toss it our of the rift?? Ohh- I can already see this is a bad idea.

And Z spit it out. Good. And it's also something really important. Of course it is.

Beast master. Sounds like he would have the crown of control- cause he's the master. Y'know?

Make Nova dream about Wildoria? Wow- and she specifically said "I'm glad I'm.not going"

Ooh! So they didn't forget about the birthday. Good. And I guess Mateo isn't completely avoiding Jasmine of Jasmine chose to call Mateo instead of Izzie. Or maybe Izzie just didn't pick up-

Montage!!

Woah- okay Izzie. No more rad radioactive. Please- you had enough already

She's crafty too, isn't she

Mateo doesn't like change- he's accepting it. But he's taking his time... oh... this just like the Never Witch

It's Sneak's drink. Oh my god- you can't just steal other people's stuff

Zoey narrating. And does it well?? Really well-

Okay- what is that temple-(and yes. The animals definitely do look like they are under control

He came in through the rift! He isn't dreaming! Oh gos- I have so many questions now

Okay Claudius. He is wearing the crown as suspected-

Living the dream! (But literally)

I kind of like this Claudius guy

He seems lonely. And.. a freak kinda

...Izzie? Is.. is she okay? I don't think she is-

Wow. Sneak is great at voice acting

She won't be able to fall asleep. No sir. Definitely not

Now she's pissed. It's your own fault

At least the food is edible. I thought it be like.. bugs- but then again. They have bugs among them. So I guess that would be like.. cannibalism-

Why did you tell him that there's more powerful artifacts! No! He's the kind that's crazy for power isn't he!

Animal abuse-

Hm. Nevermind I hate this guy.

Good thinking Zoey

The tickling vines

"Inspiring him to take a shower"

Apparently he showers with his clothes on. Question. Do you need to shower in the dream realm?

Jumping rope?

Cooper keeps trying to do stuff- which.. is good. Yeah. And he's getting creative. Thinking outside the box and all that

Oh- you okay?...

Okay- the fly trap looks creepy. And how is Nova so peaceful- cute

Does he have that crown glued on his head?! The heck??

Ooh. Mind control??

Also- really? Scaring your friend in a dream? Really?? That's the plan?

Sack him? Oh gosh. Well it worked. But Zoey isn't being controlled. Welp- better luck next time(she dodged the darn thing?? How??)

Izzie- no- no oh my god.

C-rex looks amazing with all that lighting

Also, is Cooper holding a guy in a sack. Over his shoulder. With one hand- it's a dream but still

"WHERE IS THE RIFT"

Cooper!

Apparently controlling people isn't the only thing he can do. Or were they controlled to wake up

And the rift clised- and they got doom domed! And Logan is... really good at falling asleep (so sweet how he stays with her)

And Clause is really dumb

Episode 18

Power hungry dude. (With good hearing)

He is real trouble.

Oh no- Logans a giant panda! (...Izzie likes it?) Oh no- he isn't good.

Look at the four of them together- watching that tiny dome-

Suffering for Izzie

"Izzie's gone!"

"Logan isn't answering his phone, Mateo's freaking out, and Mr. Oz well.... he's not helping"

"Izzie's gone!!"

"I was such a jerk to Izzie last night! I'm her brother! I'm supposed to take care of her!"

"Izzie's gone-!"

The amount of stuff going on here- chaos. I love the chaos. And also, Mateo being a sweet brother-🥺

Mateo blaming himself😭😭 oh my goddd

Supportive friends

Omg! The party-!

"Izzie's gone?!"

Wait- aren't we in the waking world? How is Dizzy here?? (Also, my theory was- kind of right?? Yay!!)

I really wanted to see the clones out in the waking world. But working together... that's not what I expected. Still good though

Oh- the nightmare thing at school-

"Izzie's gone?"

"Oh Izzie's gone??"

Izzie's new outfit! So that's why it's animal themed...

"Maybe this will knock some sense into you!" *attempts to smash her friends head*

Mrs. Castillo notices that Dizzy looks different

"Are you crazy? I don't eat cobras! Some of my best friends are cobras!!"

Wow-

Cooper's a great actor (and Mateo's staring at him like he's crazy)

Ooh the gems are pretty

Oh- and she lost Bunchu

Logan! (His hair looks like Lance-)

"Oh Izzie! I'm so sorry-"

How did he wake up??

Dizzy... you're not even trying

And.. logan is a wolf now. Okay. Sure... makes... sense

"Oh, it's, uh, a new online challenge?"

He's great at lying now

"Uh.. not sure Logan's in control anymore"

"Was he ever?"

Mrs. Putnam- wow. He really fell asleep fast

The griffen is... sorta helping? Zinnia is a nice name

Oh- no she's not

She really has a lot of talents

Wow. She changes so darn much and people are just going "Oh. Okay. Well anyways-"

Middle-schoolers. Haha.

Karaoke~

"Dizzy! You're a genius"

"Wow-! I've never gotten a compliment before"

Ohhh I see it coming now~~

Oh- they still have resistance(way with animals)

Uh- what did she put in the punch? Pickle?? Oh-

Dizzy is really good at bad-

"Spicy! Hot! Hot!" (Her voice- unique)

Izzie is being smart

The party.. is going to shit

Mateo likes it. Well- of course. I mean this kind of stuff is fun-

She's motivational- dang..

The cake-

Can't feel my tongue no more- how bad is it?!

Food fight!!

Logan! Noooo

The nice conversation between Dizzy and Mateo

"Oh dang- uh, they're totally gonna eat him, arent they" Ohhh he's in for it now

"No one should use this crown!"

Yes ma'am! Yes! Good good. Very inspiring. She's good

And- the Never Witch is here now. Wait- she's taking it that easily??

She helping the dishes?

Chants in Latin?? Latin?!

So much stuff going on-

Episode 19

Their dad is so sweet-

Um- what the heck??

Cooper!

What is going on-

Alright- um.. let's go boys

Oh- look at that! Beautiful picture! I love how it looks-- all the dopples positioned

Ah- they... they're gone- they're good. And... coming together? Um... I'm kind of worried

Astrid! She's disappeared after getting her new clothes. Good to see ya!

How is she rolling up the stairs like th-

Logan is still a bit frenzy- I guess since the crown of control is with the Never Witch?

Oh- no. He's just racing with Iz

Oh! Never Witch backstory

Zoey really doesn't like bugs

Ooh- yeah the Never Witch didn't even try to design it well

King Albert! Yes operate him again

"Deja vu!"

"You- can say that again"

"Deja vu."

Yo- king Albert is amazing(while . He lasted)

Cooper is good at tech. Isn't he

Zoey! Cooper!! (The blast was beautiful tho)

Logan- be patient, and nice (the panda voice is so- cu)

"Greaat. Now the space car blows up on my watch too. Hah hah- Mr. Oz is never gonna let me drive his ships again"

(Oh right. I forgot to say this.

Sorry Mr. Oz-)

And um.. technically, he isn't allowed to drive. I know it's a dream. But still-

"What ships? Grab my hand!"

....my brain is hopeless (Cooper× Zoey?)

O0O

Pyewacket!!

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"Nothing"

"Let's rock and roll"

Okay- but the giant monstrosity of a thing is like... super creepy

The sand effects look so prettttyyyy

"Be careful Zoey! You can't miss"

"Ugh- no pressure"

Love these two.

Mateo! Good job- Astrid!(oh- she's gone)

"Pyewacket, do the cat thing and hassle the birds. But quietly!"

Cat on his head!

Eugh that does look gross- I'm so sorry for you Zoey

"Uh- sorry Mr. Oz. We're working on it"

He sounds.. really unenthusiastic- loo

Oh dear- Cooper....

And- you lost it. Good job Zoey. Now you have to get up close to the bugs!

Wow. Cooper really needs a prize for actjng- like.. try out for a school play. Sure you'll do well lol

"There were more. Two girls, another boy, and the green one" (Well- you just blasted the other boy)

...this is actually kind of creepy. Does good with the visual effects

Well- that was one heck of an episode. Also, what happened to Cooper? Did he get sucked in? Or..

Episode 20

Twentieth!! Last one!

"The way it was always meant to be"

Oh no- wait what? Oh- the green one!!

Oh... was not expecting that! The writers are good at writing twists-

Yes! Protect your sister!! (And logan of course-)

Zoey is having the worst nightmare ever. Like- I would scream myself awake

The spider does have pretty eyes tho-

The Never Witch made a really cool speech

Zoey is scared- like a lot. Which is reasonable

Woah- awesome

Question. How does the memory help with stopping the witch??

Hug

Jesus- how many pets does she have(a lot)

Cooperrrrr! Ahhhhhh (was he hanging there this whole time? What the-)

"Maybe she got tied up?"

Uh.. correct! 10/10 (what is this dude-)

Pye glowing! Glowing!what's gonna happen now~

"Can you figure out how to release the doom-domes?"

"Hm.. tricky.."

What- can he really do everything? Like- dude! What the-

Playing catch (going to be real dizzy for Izzie and Logan)

Cooper! (Again? Really? What is- What- huh?)

Oh no- he's fine

And now Z

Oh' what the- sound waves? Pye?

Pye!! Oh my god- music! Speakers oh~

Now we get to see the memory! Yess

Oh- the yellow flowers died. Crying. Oh

Ahhhh

"You can hate me. But I'll never hate you. I love you, sister. I want you to remember that"

Well. I heard that line a few times before-

Uh... bonding with the Never Witch?

Wow- cooper. You get into a lot of things

Oh... she- she wanted to- she didn't want her sister to think that she hated her- Oh my god- this lego show has no right to be this- this-! Ugh

......goodbye-

Hold hands! Yes. Wait what- hold on. No like seriously- is it necessary? And- Well- in..

"They're in the wrong places. This isn't right"

"But it's great. I mean, look at it. It doesn't have to be exactly the same as it was before. I learned a lot of new stuff. I'm better"

"How do we know it'll be better?"

Yes you are! YES YOU SO VERY ARE- AHHRGGRGHH

And Mateo? Please don't do that- you keep leaving trails of *I kind of agree with the villain. But you know, in a slightly different way*

"We don't. But we can hope for the best. You can't control everything. And that's okay"

Okay. Now, kiss.(no but seriously- come on! Ahhh-) (do they really have to do it together? Like that? Really? Oh my God- ahhhahahah)

She accepted it. Oh- this is... such a nice ending-

Sandman!! Burzerker! Camelion! Phil!!!

They're all back! Yesss ahhhhh

Awww-

Bye Dizzy

Woah- I feel

Oh it's not over yet-

Logan talking about his moms, date with Astrid-

Mateo's more open to Jasmine too it seems!

"Can we skip school today?!" (Worth a shot-)

Mr. Oz... that's so sweet of you to say... ....but did you say gift from Lunia?

And Zoey's binding with her dad more too-

I- oh god-

.......wait. is this the end of DREAMZZZ??

I mean... it would be like- a great ending. But... ....

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Credit: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/67875227#big_0

Guess I have to do all of them now.

//And I will walk through it as you ramble.

Shuichi is Ritsuka Fugimaru, male protagonist of Fgo. There's also an alternative of him of course being Sherlock Holmes. Not sure why he's the simple harem protagonist but ok. Sherlock is obvious tho.

//I mean, all of the protags have incredible harem energy, Makoto especially, but Shuichi too. It's not THAT weird to me.

Kaede is Nero Claudius (damn this would put her at really bad terms with Mahiru Boudica then). Not sure why Genderbent Nero Claudius is Kaede but I guess they are both busty blonde happy proud girls that are not actually so happy and proud deep down. Tho, I need to point out this is actually super ironic cuz Nero Claudius was historically tone deaf.

//That's funny.

Kokichi is James Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime. This fits so well. Both of them are basically asshole yet charismatic crimelords/troublemakers and are usually the cause of everyone's problems behind the scenes. Also, going with the alternative one for Shuichi as Holmes, this fits well cuz Moriarty and Holmes are actually canon rivals. Tho double suicide is obviously off the chart.

//Yeah, that fits a little too well actually.

Ryoma is Emiya Alter. Edgelord badasses with a death wish and a dark sense of justice and always suffer cuz of it. Fits the bill.

//Makes sense.

Kurumi is Emiya. Idk why at all. The non-alter version of Ryoma's. Hero of Justice who ended up hating his own dream cuz it made him constantly kill and kill and kill as the world's personal hitman. Made him question what it means to be a Hero. How the fuck does this fit Kurumi? And how does this parallel with Ryoma by Kurumi's side over there?

//That is strange to make KIRUMI of all characters Emiya. Isn't Emiya like, a big deal in this franchise? Surely that role should go to one of the protags.

Miu is Leonardo Da Vinci. Proud beauty super eccentric inventors. Makes perfect sense.

//Miu gives off big "DA VINKY!?" energy.

Gonta is Asterius/The Minotaur. Big animalistic muscular wild men with actual soft hearts and lovable personalities. Fits the bill.

//He looks cute too.

Tsumugi is Cleopatra (oh damn this would mean Twogami Julius Caesar and her are a thing). This is solely due to the meme of them looking like each other. Tsumugi is not that fabulous and proud beauty of herself. No way Tsumugi can weaponize her own beauty sparkles and glittering to make explosions.

//I disagree with this in the case of Survivor. Zetsubou Tsumugi is SO damn full of herself, it's painful. And while I wouldn't call it "weaponizing her own beauty," Tsumugi's own powers ARE related to her appearance too.

Keebo is Charles Babbage. Two robot men. Nuff said. Tho I need to ask how well Keebo is at programming compared to the actual Father of Computer Programming.

//I misread that as Charles Cabbage. Also, to answer this, the whole point of Keebo is that he's an advanced AI and fully functioning robot that's beyond the technological advancements of the state that V3's world is in. But him not being able to do anything like shoot lasers, fly around, and do super cool comic robot stuff; therefore leaving everyone disappointed despite how actually incredible he is as a creation, is the joke.

Kaito is Thomas Edison (damn this must mean Kazuichi and Kaito argue a lot). Idk why. What does Kaito have in common with a guy who invented the common lightbulb (he actually submitted it first. Someone in Russia invented the same exact lightbulb type at the same exact time as Edison but he turned in his papers the day later compared to Edison who rushed immediately to the offices) and, do not ask me why, fused with every American President from past, present, and future and with the Warner brothers Lion to be a Super President? Kaito got the short end of the draw.

//Miu said that Thomas Edison said genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration, and Kaito sure does perspire a lot.

Maki is Jack the Ripper. Loli Jack the Ripper. One of the possible Jack the Ripper's. Not really Jack the Ripper, is actually the spiritual incarnation/accumulation of all of the dead orphans/aborted children left for dead by the millions of prostitutes in London at the time. Maki is a damn good assassin and does have a strong love/hate relationship with kids, especially orphans, but this is a bit much.

//I mean, Maki being Jack The Ripper is what I expected, if we're likening her to any historical figure, but THIS iteration? The spirit of orphans stuff makes sense, but Jesussss!?

Tenko is Ushiwakamaru/Yoshitsune. Idk about this. Both of them may be dark hair sporty types but Tenko is definitely no military general and badass master swordsman (genderbent now) known for jumping across 8 ships in a row cutting everyone down. Doesn't seem to fit the bill here.

//Makes more sense than something like L'ouvature or whatever?

Himiko is Abigail Williams. Why the fuck would Himiko be the girl who essentially started the Salem Witch Trials by blaming everyone? Himiko would been murdered on the spot if she met historical Abigail. Sure, Fgo's version of Abigail is an absolutely precious little girl who'd you so want to protect as your daughter but also has very dark personality switch cuz she's actually connected to the actual Lovecraftian Elder God Yog Sothoth, but I need more than both of them being magical witch aesthetic little girls.

//There were many speculations going around after the end of the witch trials that Abigail Williams herself was a witch all along. So Himiko COULD fit into her shoes if she was a much nastier character.

Rantaro is motherfucking Merlin. No offense but Rantaro is not deserving of the meme king dick wizard who broke the meta more than any top tier waifu. I could explain why he's nicknamed the Dick Wizard but that's a hilarious other story.

//Yes he is. Yes. He. Is.

Korekiyo is Phantom of the Opera. Sociopath Serial Killers with obsessive behaviours towards a certain girl in their lives. Makes sense.

//Makes TOO MUCH sense.

And Angie is Xuanzang. This calls into question whether Angie has a pet horse, monkey, pig, and whatever animal that "sand demon" with a (trident?) spear was. (I'm Asian American and idolized Journey to the West and even I don't know). Regardless, both are super religious and I guess get into trouble all the damn time. I can kinda see it but it could be better.

//Yeah, kind of like what I said with Tenko. It doesn't make complete sense, but it makes more sense than most stuff.

-Mod

[avonne-writes]

His name is Nero Claudius, he’s 11 months old and he’s a Turkish Angora mix! He hates being photographed and I swear to god he knows when I’m trying to take a picture of him! He’s extremely human like to a degree that scares us he and loves to sleep on top of the fridge and get inside plastic bags … and this is him, my pride and joy!

BABY BOY! 😍😍😍 Ah, he’s so cute! Majestic like his name 😉 He really does look very similar to kitty Gale, with those blue eyes and the cream fur. What a beautiful cat, I'm jealous now! I bet he’s the emperor of the house, just like kitty Gale 😄

[gilmores-glorious-blog]

okay okay okay so i just watched the pbs great performances hamlet and it was. SO GOOD. oh my god. here are my many, many thoughts:

- the singing starting the show is fucking amazing

- the opening funeral scene and then the transition to the wedding goes so hard

- ophelia’s song having lines from hamlet’s letters to her .. …

- this polonius casting is GOD TIER like yeah. that’s what he looks like. that’s correct.

- i don’t like that they cut the opening ghost scene :/

- omg this horatio <33 i love him sm

- horatio’s black nail polish is everything to me

- ophelia is so hot oh my god

- i love a production that plays up the sibling dynamic between ophelia and laertes

- on that note, ophelia and laertes making fun of polonious is always so fun

- the modern aspects with masks and stuff are so interesting

- the ghost possessing hamlet???? oh my god i’m obsessed why have i never seen that done before

- the actor rolling his eyes back so that you only see the whites of his eyes while he’s possessed is so fucking cool

- i love productions that have hamlet cut his hand on his sword idk why i just do

- also horatio not even hesitating to cut his own hand? i’m insane

- ah fuck,,,, hamlet and horatio grasping each others bloody hands… horatio clasping hamlet’s hand with both his hands,, i’m unwell 😭

- gertrude and claudius being super horny for each other always makes me so uncomfortable

- these ros and guil costumes are great

- big fan of productions that make claudius be super charismatic it’s always such an interesting choice

- god this polonious is so good, he’s so fucking funny

- i love hamlet’s rings <3

- hamlet taking a selfie with the stacie abrams poster is crazy

- hamlet’s personalized handshakes with ros and guil are so cute

- it’s interesting that it’s fully set in america and that all the lines referencing denmark were cut out/changed

- i’m trying to figure out what hamlet was reading but i can’t and it’s driving me crazy 😩

- hamlet smacking polonious on the ass was crazy

- god i love a production that leans into the comedic aspects of this play,, it may be shakespeare’s most famous tragedy but it’s also funny as fuck sometimes

- the incorporation of singing/rapping throughout the show is so good

- also polonious as the one white guy in the room being like. ‘erm actually i don’t like the rapping 🤓☝️’ ,,, stfu man

- i need to know who wrote the lyrics for these songs bc they’re so good and they incorporate the original text so well

- fucking hell man,, his to be or not to be was amazing

- the “where’s your father” moment was so good

- oh my god horatio’s costume change,, the pink suit,,, i love him :’)

- i wish productions didn’t cut down the passions slave speech as much as they tend to do :/

- god ophelia’s dress is GORGEOUS

- polonious being the only one wearing a mask was wild but also so real (as someone who has often been the only person masked in a room)

- god this claudius is really good i appreciate the depth he brings to the role

- hmm interesting place for an intermission idk how i feel about this

- polonious in comfy clothing,, rest in peace peepaw 😭🫡

- polonious’ body lying on the bed during the entire closet scene is so fucked

- sometimes i wish i didn’t know this play so well so i could watch adaptions without noticing every single line they leave out,,,

- jfc,, hamlet wiping the blood off his knife onto the bedsheets,,,

- gertrude not hugging claudius back 👀

- claudius punching hamlet >:(

- idk how i feel about the decision to make ros and guil know about hamlet being sent to his death

- let’s be honest i’m mostly here for solea pfeiffer’s portrayal of ophelia’s madness

- the running makeup and the messy hair. YES.

- i hate that i have a certain melody to ophelia’s songs in my head so when i hear other versions with different melodies i’m like. hmm. incorrect.

- holy fuck she’s so incredible… the ophelia ever oh my god

- YESSSS INCLUSION OF THE HORATIO LETTER SCENE FUCK YEAH (i hate when adaptations don’t include this scene)

- horatio is reading the letter like omg pirates my boyfriend is so cool

- it’s always so funny to me that claudius and laertes make a plan, a backup plan, and a backup backup plan for killing hamlet and it still backfires and kills them both (i mean it does also work to kill hamlet. but still.)

- the portrait of king hamlet watching the entire show goes so hard

- this gravedigger is so amazing i’m obsessed

- ugh 😭 the singers singing the same song at ophelia’s funeral as at the king’s 😩

- oh FUCK ophelia coming out at her funeral.. the watery lighting… i’m going insane

- horatio holding hamlet and comforting him :(

- laertes apparently being able to see the ghost of ophelia makes him as a narrative foil to hamlet all the more juicy

- the eat a crocodile line is always so random lmao

- aw fuck…. laertes singing really got me… :(

- oh my GOD this osric is so fucking funny

- lmao osric beefing with horatio

- horatio in the background of the fencing match cheering on hamlet <3

- claudius standing and rubbing gertrude’s shoulders knowing she’s about to die :( this isn’t fair i’m not allowed to be emo about them

- hamlet offering laertes the sword and then laertes stabbing him with it,,,

- gertrude’s realization of what happened right before she dies was so good

- claudius cutting his own hand on the sword was a powerful choice

- it’s always funny to me when productions completely cut out the fortinbras plotline

- horatio catching hamlet as he falls :(

- horatio singing to hamlet after he dies… i am so incredibly unwell 😭😭

- THE GHOST WAS VOICED BY SAMUEL L. JACKSON?!?? crazy.

overall, amazing production. i loved the musical elements. definitely my favorite ophelia and polonius i’ve seen, possibly my favorite laertes and claudius as well. the hamlet/horatio relationship wasn’t quite as prominent as i would’ve liked it to be, but it was still really great, and i enjoyed analyzing all the little moments they did have.

[dandizettes]

Just saw an addiction & sobriety/christmas themed Hamlet!! Some great in concept choices mixed-in-execution (split lines between Ham & Oph in to be or not to be/get thee to a nunnery, which is really potentially interesting but felt a little floundering in purpose here, a shockingly thoughtfully done Happy Family Unit set up for Polonius & co with…….. somewhat underwhelming returns post-arras stab) some INSPIRED choices (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern as Hamlet’s estranged party friends, delivering all lines with a valley girl cadence & also the obsequious shit to claudius/Gertrude was explicitly portrayed as annoying coke ramblings. Play upon this pipe was also about coke. 10/10 no notes) and some truly baffling (the thrown duel was………. an arm wrestling/shots-doing match. Hamlet, played by a bearded tallish man, had an oily looking side braid for the first half of the show.) The choices around who was drinking/using and when were also really interesting but also meant the entire cast was knocking back what had to be peach iced tea from a cute decanter/various bottles the entire length of the show so that was also very funny to think about after

[ragyragd0ll]

Furry headcanons and what animal the Ikerev cast's fursona might be.

Don't judge me, for I hath judged myself enough.

Headcanons below cut (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)

Wonderland Residents:

Amon: I can't imagine him as anything but a chinchilla, sorry but he just has that feel. I also like to headcanon his pet as a chinchilla, because I can.

Dalim: I can see him have a wolf fursona, probably because of his relationship with Amon, with how he is loyal, but unlike a dog (as I was considering headcanoning him as) he could betray Amon if it meant protecting his family, like how a wolf would protect their pact. Plus, he likes to put on a act of being a villain (which he kinda is) so he chose wolf, because they are often seen as villains in stories.

Harr: I just see him as a bat, although I can also see him be an owl... Can't choose, he is both now.

Oliver: He... Crab. (I know, I worded this one beautifully.)

Loki: Cat, definitely a cat. Like just look at him, cat.

Blanc: ...Bwunny

Mousse: Mouse, I mean... Look at him.

Nodisha: I see her as a bunny.

Claudius: Snake, cause he's a snake.

Levie: He is also a bunny

Red army

Lancelot: Very much lion vibes.

Jonah: I see him be a cat, with all that sass he might as well have whiskers.

Zero: I think his fursona is maybe a dog?

Edgar: I see him as a hamster...

Kyle: Sloth, it's self-explanatory.

(S'cuse the shortness on this one)

Black army

Seth: I personally couldn't really think of anything but a fox, as his pet was. But I guess it kinda fits him.

Luca: Since Luca likes to be anything but what Jonah is, he'd probably chose his fursona to be a dog, plus, it would look cute on him.

Ray: Dog, he just has that vibe. Plus, Amon thinks so too! Or well-- he called him one. (Amon likes to call a lot of characters 'dog'... Maybe keep that between you and your boyfriend Amon, sheesh.)

Fenrir: I just feel his fursona to be that mythical fox named 'Fenrir', this headcanon was indeed influenced by his name.

Sirius: Perhaps a bear? He definitely feels like a mama bear.

Alice: Dog.

Stephen: Dog.

Now we're getting into my oc's.

Vanilla: Her fursona changes depending on mood, but the main ones are; Jellyfish, Cat, and any type of mythical creature. She is the type of character were many things change depending on mood (major projection core on this one).

And a new oc that I'm currently developing, I don't have a name for them yet, nor gender, but I doooo have a fursona for them: That fursona being a cat.

________

Yes, I, Amaymon, am indeed a furry, although I don't interact with the fandom much.

Some of these head-canons I'm more attached to than others, but Amon will always be a chinchilla.

Maybe I should draw his fursona? Maybe with Levie and Dalim's... Maybe I should also make a fanfic of this...

[seraphtrevs]

Thoughts on I Claudius?? (Truly wild show it's one of my favorites..)

One of my favs too! It was such a formative show for me - I watched it with my dad when I was a teen. The intrigue! The pathos! The tragedy! The fetus eating! It's a show that really has it all. (Also, I think I, Claudius was my first encounter with a powerful family dynasty filled with violent schemers who are also weirdly endearing, which I'm a sucker for - like the Salamancas have a little of that flavor to me lol)

And like - I'm not immune to spectacle-based media with lots of special effects and elaborate cinematography etc, but there is something very appealing to me about having everything stripped away except the actors' performances and the writing, i.e. the two elements that matter the most to me. The dialogue is so incredible and the performances are all god-tier. I love that we don't ever have to watch a single battle or worry about a lot of scene setting. I tend to get bored and restless when characters aren't talking (it takes a lot for an action scene to hold my interest - I usually zone out until people start talking again), but I, Claudius is all talking, all the time! It's also got that perfect blend of tragedy and humor, which I think also was influential to my taste (that's what I love about brbabcs)

I love all of the characters so so SO much, especially Livia (my hot evil wife), Augustus, Claudius, Tiberius, and Caligula. The subtle but intense focus on all of the characters' psychologies makes even the worst behaved characters poignant and sympathetic (also very brbabcs-y)

So yes - great show! There's a really cute I, Claudius podcast I usually listen to it when I rewatch - if you're a podcast person, I recommend it!

[slashingdisneypasta]

SecretLover!Prof. Aaron Callahan x Fem!Reader || Oneshot

Plot: What the hell kinda luck leads you and Callahan to finally decide to date- and then immediately end up with him subbing one of your classes that day??

Part 1 Part 2

Warnings: Teacher/student relationship and sexual references.

"You want... to take me on a date??" Blinking, you look baffled at him. "... we can't go out." You exclaim, completely incredulous. "That's the secret part of secret affair."

A smirk slides across Callahan's face, looking cocky as usual. Like he knows everything, the handsome bastard. "I was actually thinking I'd cook for you. At home." The smirk broadens. "See,.. I know the rules."

"Well you should, you did help to make them."

"Mmm," He groans, annoyance laced in the tone. "Actually I think that you took control on that- but I digress. What do you say? I've cooked for you before, after all,.. its not like I'll poison you... "

"Uh, I stole leftovers out of your fridge. I don't think that constitutes as you cooking for me- but-- " Shaking your head, you taking a deep breath and think; drumming your fingers against the bench.

The two of you have been getting along better; that Halloween event was so much fun, and not just the bathroom rendezvous, you actually loved talking with him-- but do you really want to let this become... more? What would you even call him after you went on a date? Date is a hefty four letter word, filled with expectations and assumptions and a 'where is this going' conversation that you are completely unequipped for.

Callahan is an ass, though. A cold, manipulative, narcissistic ass. So... maybe... you shouldn't??...

Your eyes flicker up to his face then, though, and your moment of sobriety is over. There's just something in him that you like all of a sudden and the past week since Halloween, you've been all for him. Shrugging nonchalauntly, you give a grin. You cant help it. "Yeah. Cook me dinner- what do you plan on cookin me, then?"

Giving fully-pleased grin, rolling his shoulders. "Let's call it a surprise." He teases, leaning in and dropping a slow kiss to the corner of your mouth, his hand fitting to your waist. "I'll see you tonight- dress uhh... " He gives you a once-over and you gape. Excuse you???- "better."

Excuse y- glancing down at your pyjamas, just a t shirt and shorts, you give a sad pout. These pj's are cute! Hmph. "You know, I like you at the moment but you're still on thin ice." With a matter-o-fact, deadpanned look on your face now, you take a deliberate sip of your coffee/tea at him.

"Uhuh, whatever. Bye." One final waist-squeeze from him and an almost-sincere smile (on one side of his face at least) and he walks on out of the apartment for the day.

~

What the HELL?

"Alright class, as you can hopefully tell I am not an English teacher," Professor Callahan stands at the front of your class after making an entrance of himself coming in (He couldn't quote a law & order but apparently he knows Hamlet- the Claudius bits) and you're closest to him in the front row so you're the only one who hears the next part even though he doesn't look at you. "and to be honest I look down upon and each and every one of you poor hippie losers."

What the hell is he doing in this class?? This is YOUR class!! He's a law teacher- Before you can think it through, your arm shoots up into the air. He sees you and nods to your hand. "Where's Mr Bradford??"

"Sick." He responds, and does not elaborate- he quickly looks back to the class in general. "Now, I want you to do the modules I write on the board and if you have a question... I don't care. Email your ailing teacher. Go."

Narrowing your eyes, you watch him turn and write the appropriate modules onto the board; using your eyes and mind power to insist he turn around... but he doesn't, not once. The jerk.

Finally when Callahan turns back to the front, gives the room once sweep with his eyes and then sits down at the desk to do his own work without even looking at you for a second you sigh and open your laptop to start the modules... awkwardly... and immediately see an instant message pop up in the corner of the screen. From Aaron- the name you put his contacts under when you realised other people might catch a glance of your messages or your calls and you didn't want them getting suspicious about a last name (Or 'the professor', which was another option that had passed your mind).

Aaron: Stop staring.

Huffing, you roll your eyes and immediately start typing out an answer.

You: Oh so you noticed me?? Interesting.

You: Couldn't tell.

Aaron: What do you expect? Am I supposed to walk into class and kiss you- then introduce myself as the professor for the day and expect everyone to respect me?

You: No one respects you. They hate and fear you.

When you glance up to see his reaction to that, you see a smirk slither across his face as he types back to you.

Aaron: So?? That's infinitely preferable.

For goodness sakes. Stifling a grin by pressing your lips together, you shake your head and open your classwork. Whatever, maybe you can just ignore him and get your work done today. Pretend you don't know him. Try not to think about the fact you were bent over your professors bed with him behind you in his teaching suit, well-

Woof... you think, eyes rounding and shaking your head again; trying to shake the memory out of your head. Okay, mind outta the gutter, lets do some work. Come on.

~

For the rest of the 3 hour class you shift between actually doing work and sending Aaron random messages to try and get a visible reaction out of him (He does react, but he's subtle. Just soft smirks, a couple of headshakes... the biggest responce you got was an eyeroll). No one else notices because they're all terrified of Callahan, and are actually doing their work.

When 3 o'clock finally fits and its time to leave for the day, everyone else starts filing quickly out while you casually just pack up your things at your leisure and wonder what you're going to wear for your date tonight when you feel a tap on your shoulder. Turning around, you see Lewis.

Lewis, the guy you went on a date with a couple of weeks ago and Callahan - Aaron, - got weird about it. Before Halloween and everything... sorta changed. As Lewis gives you a cute grin, his tucked into his back pockets you look to the professors desk and catch Aaron the manipulative bastard pretending not to notice the cute guy approach you; busying himself putting his things back in his briefcase.

"Hey, Y/N. Sorry, I know we've both been really busy lately so we haven't had a chance to catch up, since... " Here Lewis gives a shifty-eyed glance between you two, reminding you of the almost-risqué moment the two of you had when he kisses you goodbye after the date. A wonky grin wibbles across your mouth, thinking about the worse, down-right-scandalous things you've done with the other man in the room- nearby- listening in... "But, uh, I was wondering! Heh- if you wanted to go on a second date??.. you know- with me? The new Five Nights at Freddy's movie is out and I got tickets." Oh- he remembers you love Five Nights at Freddy's!, damn him. Damn him and that cute lop-sided grin on his face. "Whadaya say?"

... Oh. "Oh."

You should say yes.

Lewis is cute, and he's sweet (He gave you his spare copy of Freddy Vs Jason on your date for goodness sakes! You cant get much better then that), he likes Five Nights at Freddy's!... and what you said to Callahan (To Aaron) two weeks ago still stands. You want to be married one day, you want something with someone that can last-

... But right now all you can think is that you have plenty of time to find that. You're young and you have years, and right now all you really want to do is be with Aaron.

A week ago the answer would have been yes but Halloween night changed everything.

You hear the sound of a briefcase clipping shut and take in a sudden, deep breath. "... actually Lewis, I already saw it- sorry!! You can take someone else, can't you??"

Lewis's smile falters, but not in a pitiful puppy-dog way- in a 'well damn, that's a shame' kind of way. You like that about him, after all you only went on one date together and he barely touched you. "Ehh, no worries. Maybe we'll hook up some other time."

"Maybe!" Giving a genuine smile, you nod; noticing Callahan at his desk waiting impatiently for the two of you, the last remaining students in the room, to move it and get out. His briefcase is stood up straight on the desk and his fingers are drumming against the leather. He can definitely hear what's being said, too, since he's barely 10 feet away.... and looking right at you both- "Uhh... well I'll see you next class, Lewis!"

"Yeah, see ya." With a last arm squeeze, and a kiss to the cheek, Lewis gives you casual smile and leaves the classroom.

... After a moment of embarrassed silence in which you think about where to go from here... you quickly glance at Aaron for a moment and pull your shoulder bag on right over your head. "Well what are you lookin' at?" You ask boldly, then go ahead and try to just leave. Like uh-yeah-no-see-ya-later-bye-

But- "Uh uh uh, not so fast." You were, of course, greatly mistaken to think he was just going to let you leave after seeing that. Sighing, you stop in your tracks and look nervously back at him. "... what was that?"

"I'm sure I dunno what you mean, Professor." You give him a pointed look. "Just chatting with a friend."

"A friend?... " He raises a brow. "Huh."

Welp. That 'huh' doesn't sound great. "... 'Huh'?"

"Mhm. 'Huh'." He agrees, folding one hand into one of his pants pockets and looking... thoughtful. Dangerously thoughtful. Oh lord- "... as your professor I feel I should warn you, Miss L/N,.. boys at that age are- " He pauses, considering his next words. " - fickle. And inexperienced. And... q u i c k." The last word comes out slow and you want to laugh.

You try not to laugh, wandering over to the desk and looking pointedly at him again. "Sir... I don't think its appropriate for you to be talking to me about this, is it? I mean- " Quickly you drop the good student act. "Not unless you're gonna gimmie good grades for listening to your jealous garbage, at least." You shrug, dropping your shoulder bag to the ground with a teasing grin.

Letting out a chuckle, he smirks and runs his hand that's not in his pocket slowly, wryly over leather of his briefcase. "... what else would you do for a pass, sweetheart?.. "

A snicker slips out of your nose, shaking your head. "You're not really my real teacher, Aaron, you have no power over my education."

"Well that's true... Also means its not against the rules- if I do this." After leaning across the table, Aaron presses his lips against yours in a hot, slow open-mouthed kiss that makes you dizzy. And you let him, in your classroom, where you learn about American literature 5 days a week. You even reach over and wrap his red tie around your knuckles, stroking his tongue with your own. When he pulls back, only a couple inches, he can obviously see the fog in your eyes from his kiss and you can definitely see it in his. "Or, this." He goes on, beginning to press kisses along your jaw and down your neck in a way that makes it hard for you to keep yourself together. "Or... "

Oh, fucks sake here we go, you're going to fuck him in the classroom. Pulling back with huff, you slowly let go of his tie; slipping the smooth fabric through your fingers. Your eyes flicker slowly from his lips up to his eyes and back. "... Professor I changed my mind, I'll do anything for that grade."

With a mocking smirk so close to your face, so pleased to have a girl in a classroom, even if its not his, Aaron holds one side of your face and rubs your jaw fondly with his thumb. "Is that so?.. What a good student you are. Hmm... go lock the door."

"Yes sir." You grin, heading off to do just what you're told.

~

15 minutes later you leave the classroom with slick on your thighs and a warm feeling in your pants, as well a whole new appreciation for Wattpad authors and their vision.

[tys-kitty]

I love chatting with you too, it's the highlight of my day!

I'm from the south of the UK (not London, thank stars, you could not pay me enough to live in London). What about you? What's your favourite part about your country? (Please don't feel you have to say if you don't want to!)

I naturally tend to a 4am-12 noon sleep schedule, so working nights is a godsend for me, school was hell.

My favourite scene has to be Luke's betrayal scene! The sheer emotion in all of them had me in tears, the betrayal and sorrow and anger! A special shout-out goes to the scene of young-Percy on the roof when he sees the pegasus, I related to that so hard. When classes used to get too much (a mix of tiredness (see the sleep schedule) and undiagnosed autism) I used to climb out the fire escape window onto the roof. I never saw any pegasi, but I did my fair share of daydreaming up there.

My favourite TSC gang has to be the TID gang. I read TID immediately after finishing TMI and I learned those characters by drawing similarities between them and their decendents (Learning Jem became Brother Zachariah broke me) and I just love them to pieces (it is deeply sad to me that Tessa, Jem and Will did not know about polyamory)

My favourite TSC book? Probably Queen of Air and Darkness. My copy has the official artwork in it and I fell in love with it (I don't know if you've seen it, but Ty and Jules on Livvy's pyre? I had to put the book down for an hour to cry)

I hope you don't mind, but I'm gonna infodump about St. Valentines day, because the story behind it is my favourite (even if it is a bit morbid). St Valentine was a priest during the mid 200s, during the reign of Roman emperor Claudius II. Claudius, in true emperor fashion, wanted his armies to be the best. He believed his soldiers would be better if they had no distractions, if they were unmarried. St. Valentine, then still just a priest, used to marry soldiers and their wives in secret, at a time when marrying a soldier (as a priest) was illegal. We celebrate St. Valentines day on the 14th of Febuary because he was executed for his crime on this day in the year 270AD.

Sorry, infodump over.

My turn for a hard question. If you had to give Kit and Ty a theme song each, what would you pick and why?

-☀️

Don‘t tell anyone but it‘s one of my highlights as well 💕

Oh that‘s so cool! Stereotype alert but when I think about the UK I always picture this cute little country side with a cozy cottage. You‘re not a big fan of London, I take it? I was actually in London last Summer and I absolutely adored the city, even though I could never imagine living in a city that big. But I can‘t blame you because I‘m from Austria and I‘m not the biggest fan of Vienna as well. My favourite part about my country would have to be the mountains and lakes!

The Luke betrayal scene was one of my favorites as well! I don‘t know if you‘ve read the books but I loved the fact that Annabeth heard everything! (Also the visuals with the fireworks in the background? Stunning!) Also the hug and the way Percy smiled when Annabeth told him she would go to Disneyland?! (I DIED!) Maybe one day you will see a pegasi (let‘s not give up hope!)

The TMI gang is amazing as well! Tbh I wouldn’t want to choose between the TSC gangs because they are all so different and wholesome in their own way!

SHUT UP! That‘s so amazing! I wish my copy had the original drawings but it seems not everyone can be as cool as you are. My favourite TSC books would have to be Chain of Thorns or Lady Midnight! Queen of Air and Darkness could never be my favourite because that book broke me. I cried so much during the necromancy scene and the aftermath of Livvy‘s death. (And Julian losing his emotions?!?)

WHAT?! WHY DID NOBODY EVER TEACH ME THE HISTORY BEHIND VALENTINE‘S DAY?! I thought it was some cute story with lots of love and flowers. Thank you for ruining my illusion and teaching me something new, I guess😭

THAT‘S SUCH A HARD QUESTION! Like I don‘t really have a particular song for each of them but I have a number of couple songs:

- Say don‘t go (Taylor Swift)

- Into you (Julia Michaels)

- I miss you, I‘m sorry (Gracie Abrams)

- I know it won‘t work (Gracie Abrams)

What about you? (YES YOU ALSO HAVE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION) And another super hard question for you: Who are your top 3 favourite TSC couples?

(Sorry it took me so long to reply idk why I took me so long to finish this)

[algumaideia]

what are your favorite lgbt books? not limited to English :)

Hello!!! Thanks for the ask!!

Grande Sertão: Veredas is amazing and awesome and one of my favorite books ever. I can not recommend it enough. Regardless if Diadorim is a woman or a trans man, Riobaldo sees him as a man for most of the book and his attraction to his best friend is a key element of the story so I'm counting it. I'm not really sure how to explain it? But basically in a big monologue that is actually a conversation and without breaks Riobaldo tells the story of his life and ponders about violence and the Devil.

Capitães de Areia only has a minor queer character, but it is a great book and if what you are looking for is representation, the book has a great disabled main character in my eyes. It is about this group of homeless kids in a city of Brazil during the beginning of the 20th century. I highly recommend.

I really enjoyed I kissed Shara Wheeler, the messy relationship between the two sapphics is amazing. it is like Paper Cities from John Green but gayer and better (imo)

The Song of Achiles is the retelling of the Achilles myth and Madeline is such a great writer. And again messy relationship!!

I, Claudius is a very good book. The narration is great and it basically tells the story from Claudius birth until he became the emperor like it is a autobiograph. It is semi historical accurate and the only character who is openly queer only appears in the end but I think he is worthy it. I understand some people might consider him bad rep because he is a slut and a unhinged spoiled diva but I think this is what makes him awesome.

Magnus Chase, the trilogy is also very enjoyable. Alex is an icon. It follows Magnus as enters to Vahalla and does shit related to the Ragnarok. It is similar to Percy Jackson.

Radio Silence is good. It is like a love story but with friends instead of lovers. It is cute.

Heartstopper is wholesome. So cute. I adore the main relationship and I think the comic deal pretty well with its themes. You can read it online for free and it is not piracy.

I don't remember anything else. If you read anything I said, I hope you enjoy it!

[lizardrosen]

Hamlet Liveblog 2011, ACT TWO

I found a notebook from college when I went through the text of Hamlet line by line, and now I'm sharing the best parts! Act One

Act II, Scene 1

People who deserve backstory: - Reynaldo - Polonius current Will: I have always been exactly this way, omg

2.1.64 "by indirections find directions out" - theme of the whole freaking play! Polonius is maybe not as much of a fool as he seems. Similar to Hamlet pretending to be mad

2.1.88-89 "he fell to such perusal of my face / As a would draw it" - he wants to remember her as she is before he loses it - and he knows he will

Why stage it like this? Perhaps it is more effective to see his madness through the eyes of someone else

2.1.100 "This is the very ecstasy of love, whose violent property fordoes itself" - now he believes that Hamlet loves Ophelia and that it's killing him to be repelled like this (Perhaps it is)

Act II, Scene 2

2.2.6-7 "Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man / resembles that it was." - what people see and what Hamlet contemplates

2.2.28-29 "Put your dread pleasures more into command / than to entreaty" - Rosencrantz doesn't understand why the majesties are not following the status quo - are they on friendly terms? He doesn't know

2.2.70 "Never more to give the assay of arms against your majesty" Does this mean Claudius has no more foreign relations to deal with? Now Shakespeare can move onto what he really cares about: the domestic/internal stage. current Will: This was partially correct! I was drawing a connection to Othello and Macbeth, where the foreign armies are defeated offstage very early on and never really come up again, and it's true that Fortinbras becomes less of the focus for a while, but he's still a threat on the edges of the play.

2.2.93-94 "Mad call I it, for to define true madness, What is't but to be nothing else but mad?" - You'll drive yourself crazy trying to figure out what madness is, or you'll avoid the question and never know if you're insane or not. In short, this place is a madhouse.

2.2.139 "He is a prince, out of thy star" - again with the celestial spheres and orbits!

2.2.160 "I'll loose my daughter to him" - she's a tool or plot device

2.2.174 "for if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog" - what does this have to do with honesty? When there's no integrity, lies grow easily; or a cute girl in the public gaze gets pregnant and diseased

2.2.201-203 Polonius: Will you walk out of the air, my lord? Hamlet: Into my grave? Polonius: Indeed, that's out of the air. Hamlet is considering his own mortality, but Polonius turns his comment into a joke

2.2.209-210 "You cannot take from me anything that I will more willingly part withal; except my life, except my life, except my life" Hamlet is tired of Polonius and his mindless words, and he's also still thinking of death, so he wants to die and finds it fitting that Polonius would be the one to kill him

2.2.215 Guil: My honored lord (formal) Ros: My most dear lord (impulsive and trusting)

2.2.234-5 "Denmark's a prison" - Hamlet's bound by fillial duty to seek reveng, and he needs to watch as his uncle slips into his father's throne and sheets "Then is the world one" - Rosencrantz is trapped by trying to figure out where he is and why, so he has no free will, no reference point, besides Guil, who's just as confused but more upset

2.2.242-43 "I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams" Okay, there's a lot of stuff here - hints of claustrophobia; wants to be king somewhere; is it the infinity of space that gives him the dreams, or would he already have them? universes within universes, relative sizes, and the suffocating distance between electrons nutshells associated with fairies and Queen Mab, which is appropriate since she blows men's dreams way out of proportion

(and then I tried very earnestly to analyze the whole "a dream itself is but a shadow" dialogue, but mostly through the lens of coming up with headcanons for Ros and Guil, which is not a very good critical lens actually, and twelve years later it makes approximately zero sense, so I'll spare us all)

2.2.256 "In the beaten way of friendship" - it's like a beaten path, so longstanding, but also maybe just there out of habit and no real affection; or beaten like broken down and in disrepair because he doesn't trust them and has bigger things on his mind

2.2.262-63 "Come, deal justly with me" - genuinely hurt that they don't tell him the truth, also perhaps an order to obey "come, come, nay, speak" - in some versions he actually says 'knave', which belies his claims of friendship earlier "What should we say, my lord?" - Guil is hurt by this; maybe Ros was gesturing and trying to communicate something, or he was trying to figure something out. Anyway, Guil was jolted into the present and remembered about delving

2.2.271 - "by the obligation of our ever preserved love" - Hamlet uses their prior relationship (may be present still) to pressure them into telling him everything. He might not really value them anymore and is jealous of the love they bear each other, (and wonders why he can't have the same with Horatio)

Question: Would R&GaD have gone any differently if they knew about the ghost?

2.2.282-290 He knows that man and earth and sky are beautiful "majestical" creatures, but can't feel it and sees it all as "this quintessence of dust"; "What a piece of work is man!" Is he admiring mankind (in theory) or is he judging R + G for being sneaky? Or mocking them because they have no "apprehension" at all? (well, fear, but no understanding)

2.2.439 "like a neutral to his will and matter did nothing" - unable to think or act, like Hamlet hesitates to just kill Claudius

oh, interesting, I thought that the Hecuba speech was foreshadowing for Ophelia losing her mind after Polonius is killed, and not Hamlet being preoccupied with Gertrude's reaction to her husband's death! I think this has to be because I was unfamiliar with the Pyrrhus and Priam story

The Player can stir up passion in himself for a fictional character, but Hamlet can't do anything with his real motive. All people are characters for him, so he can sympathize with any of them.

2.2.550-51 "If a do blench, I know my course" - somewhat overreactionary (sic), but better than not doing anything; of course Hamlet can make himself see anything (see Othello's "ocular proof")

[aresrisen]

where: porch, cabin 12 when: all good standoffs take place at dusk who: @ptolomeas

Robrecht doesn’t pay much attention to the handwritten manuscript left for him — their existence amongst his things is the result of a passing comment made on a tepid day by a bellicose man to a woman who controls madness like a see-saw. Bunny offers and it’s actually an act of kindness that Rob even entertains the matter, doesn’t shut it down then and there. Sure, I’ll read your book. There’s plenty to do, and reading is certainly not one of them (the joke that he can in fact read is tired, tried, basically a handwritten, wax-sealed invite for a sucker punch. This child of ares never needs an excuse to fight, but in particular here.)

But then there comes a day (today) where Rob's sparred just enough that the soreness creeps over him like vines, and he wants to be a little cruel. 

His fingers lick through the pages. He doesn’t get far before he sits up, at attention. Wait, is this fucking book about us?

Suddenly, he gets it, he gets it. Why the meta is overplayed, the play within a play trite. Claudius of Denmark might be right, Hamlet’s a little shit for going it about the way he does, and all of this is to say — Bunny’s writing a book that includes him, and he’s definitely the bad guy. 

Robrecht darkens the doorstep of cabin 12 like an omen with a swiftness saved for guerrilla warfare and/or abandoned commitments. He finds Bunny on the porch, grinds a rock out of his way with the heel of his boot. The half-blood is languid, moves like a shark, his grin just rows and rows of teeth with a taste for blood. “Finally read your book,” he says when he’s right on the wooden steps. “Your handwriting’s cute.”

He drops the neat stack of pages in front of her. Some are now singed from his lighter, others have a hole burned right through them. A few pages are lucky enough to be marred to hell with his own chicken-scratch. “I made some edits.” He can see from here, the top of one of the pages sticking out that has a ‘what the fuck’ carved across it with all the violence of two lovers leaving their initials on a tree. “Come on Bunny,” he coos, baiting. “Do you really think I’m a bad guy?”