#hail the first queen of all norway

[author-morgan]

im so so curious about this plan of yours to rewrite seasons 5 and 6 with Harald and an OC. would you mind sharing another snippet? 🥺

oh, yes. so, i've been throwing around this idea for about 2 years now and have written blurbs here and there (really don't have much time due to Ph.D. life to sit down and start to fully flesh this out yet), but essentially i dislike what Hirst did to Harald in those last two seasons. so i want to give Harald a proper chance at love with a good wife (and queen).

my OC is Ragnhild the Mighty, based on one of his wives in the sagas who 'he loved above all others.' she's got a reputation (how else would she earn the epithet, Mighty) and is just as ambitious as he is when it comes to getting a crown and kingdom so it makes them quite a pair and force to reckon with.

the general synopsis is Harald and Ragnhild first meet in York (5b) and agree to raid and war against Alfred and co., but it becomes clear that the gods led them to one another for a reason, and not eager to part ways, she returns to Norway with him and Björn to fight Ivar. then it roughly adheres to the general events of the show (election, Rus invasion, etc.), but ofc has some unexpected spins here and there (and lest we forget, she is the mother of Eric Bloodaxe too).

but here's another snippet of them on the eve of the battle of meretun: 

“Indeed,” Harald breathes, his thoughts straying to his brother, to his princess. Both are dead in the cold iron earth now because of his doing. “But we are all blood and bone and spirit. Imperfect” —he lays his hand over hers— “and perfect as we are.” Ragnhild looks at him and wonders if he feels the same invisible flame—the same spark of strange magic—when their flesh touches. She shifts then without a word, swinging herself over his outstretched legs, perching on his lap. Her hands capture both sides of his face, thumbs following the fading blue-black ink of his tattoos and over the scar cutting across one of his cheeks. Her brother’s words echo loudly in her mind: he can make you a queen. Harald’s breath catches as he beholds her—the perfect woman—and a new softness appears in his livid eyes. “Ragnhild?” Her name is a soft, disbelieving whisper. Placing her palm over the restless pounding of his heart, Ragnhild leans toward him, stopping just when her nose brushes his, breaths mingling. “It is a cold night,” she echoes, the words dancing across his cheek and bearded jaw.

[behold-the-griffin]

okay, so I WAS live-blogging my read through of @athingofvikings fic, A Thing of Vikings, but I stopped some months ago, and THAT was because I was curbstomped by the need to create THIS:

All hail Queen Ruffnut the Wordsmith of Norway, first of her line. May her reign be long and prosperous.

[lisinfleur]

In your arms

The request:

Author’s Notes | Fuck the whole universe. I can't see that shitty ending for our pup and not doing anything about this. So, here is the first of the many things I'll write to correct what made us bleed in this last season of our beloved show! Hope you guys like it! Universe | Vikings Pairing | Hvitserk x Reader Info | Viking age AU, fixing plot AU, requested by anon. Words | 2941 ⁑ Warnings: Spoilers ahead. Mention to major character’s death, some angst.

"No brother! You've done your work! Do not interfere anymore. All my life has been a preparation for this moment. Stay back."

The sound of Ivar's voice and their last conversation for a long time populated his mind.

The many times they'd tried to reach for each other's ends and failed miserably made sense all at once in a single sentence.

"I could never kill you..."

What was left untold for their whole life, finally spoken.

"I love you. Now go. Go!"

Screams of strength and bravery overcame Ivar's final words of fear in Hvitserk's mind.

"Are we afraid of the death? No!"

For days he laid among the Christians after burying his brother like a true Viking lord, ensuring whoever was to find his grave would know what his brother wanted...

"Here is the grave of the most famous Viking that ever lived!"

The last promise he made before his little brother's eyes were lost from his to go into the golden doors he wasn't able to see, but was sure were open for Ivar to enter, engraved in his mind as if they were marked by fire.

"No one will ever forget Ivar, the Boneless."

He had to do it. He had to push forward his brother's legacy and what better way than doing what Ivar intended when they came back to stand on those cursed lands once again? Those poisonous lands that took his father, two of his little brothers, and the memory of the older one from who he separated in that place. That terrible place.

He would burn that place to ashes! And then he would spread those ashes over Ivar's grave like a gift to his brother's memory.

And so... He would come home. To fulfill one last promise also marked on fire in his mind and his heart.

"I'll come back, Y/N. I'll come back to you."

He had just found you after the many years of tragedy in his life. So, you became his secret in Kattegat. A secret he didn't tell not even to his beloved little brother, afraid somehow Ivar's hands could reach and rip his heart from his chest one more time.

You served his tables when he was younger and became a free woman since no one was caring about the fleeing slaves in the middle of that whole war he and his brothers fought with each other. But you'd never forgotten him and when he came back with his brother under the angry words of the town, you came after him, spoke of long-gone times and memories. And you offered your services for him who was once a good master in exchange for his mercy since now you were lost and helpless in the middle of the confusion Kattegat had become with so many rulers in so little time.

It didn't take too long for him to see you were a gift the gods had blessed him with. In a matter of days, his heart was bent.

To fall in love with you was easy. To leave you at the cabin when the time to leave had come was the hardest thing he'd ever done.

You cried in his chest and he could still remember how hard it was to hold your tears. He knew it could be his last battle... You knew he could never come back from that trip. But they had to do it.

You couldn't argue with his fate.

You couldn't beg him to stay.

So, you made him promise he would come back to you and swore you would wait for him. To warrant his promise was real, he left his recently recovered arm ring in your hands.

His fingers touched the pendant on his chest. Another hacksilver, placed alongside the one he had earned from his father on his necklace. You had given that pendant to him saying you wanted it back and so, he would have to come back to give it back to you.

Sometimes Hvitserk would wonder what was in your mind now. He knew the news of Ivar's defeat and Harald's death had reached Kattegat at that point. Would they say he was dead as well? Did they know he was a prisoner for so long?

Would you be there, waiting for him yet?

Promises were promises. Things were close to an end.

Hvitserk stopped a moment to admire his little brother's mind and toughness once again: it was hard as fuck to play games with the Christians and mislead them was one of the hardest things he ever had to do. Hvitserk was a berserker. The mindless battle was his favorite game and those mental games were Ivar's specialty.

Maybe it was why he decided to do it that way.

Ivar's way.

It was his brother's legacy after all.

For months he had played the Christian. He accepted that stupid baptism and walked with a cross around his neck. He spoke meekly and accepted that stupid name they gave him as if it could erase everything he was and would ever be.

From behind, his crows were cawing at the Dane kings' ears at the settlement beside Wessex, remembering them he himself was also a son of Ragnar, fated to Valhalla, who, unlike Ubbe, wanted those lands entirely to their people as a fair payment for the lives those Christians had stolen from them.

Ragnar Loðbrók.

Harald Finehair.

Ivar, the Boneless.

The whole unavenged settlement prince Aethelwulf had destroyed years ago in time...

Their blood was considered a fair price for his people to rise. The position of third Dane king, abandoned by his older brother, was a vacancy Hvitserk was considered fitting to occupy.

Under the mantle of lies and with the night by his side, Hvitserk dressed his armor once again and headed up to the doors of the Royal Villa to open them to his people like once his brother Ubbe had opened the gates of York for them to enter.

Standing in the middle of the gates as the army of Vikings invaded the town, Hvitserk could almost hear his brother's voice screaming and the sound of that unmistakable chariot filling the air as if Ivar was riding with them into the Royal Villa, conquering what he wasn't able to see falling in front of his eyes.

Alfred fled with Elsewith and their child. Hvitserk spared their lives as they had spared his own. What's fair is fair and Ivar would forgive him for denying the royal blood to his vengeance, but Alfred had respected his brother's death, his grave wasn't touched and his life was preserved.

But the town was on fire, invaded and taken as Ivar once planned.

With the dawn, Hvitserk received a mark on his face to resemble his crown as the third Dane King his brother didn't want to be. But he knew he wouldn't stay as much as Ubbe didn't stay.

He was wounded and tired, but Ivar was avenged and it was time to fulfill his next promise.

"I ordered them to build a shrine for you, brother. They must start soon and the Danes ensured me they'll use the stones from the royal castle to build it around your grave," Hvitserk said, touching the stones of the simple tomb he had rose with his own hands. "They'll paint runes and make sacrifices. And this place shall be marked with your story, my brother. No one will ever forget who you were and, in the future, when they find this place, everyone will know here is the grave of the great Ivar, the Boneless, son of Ragnar Loðbrók, feared by many around the world and for whom this land fell into our hands."

His fingers caressed the stone as if he could touch Ivar's face once again.

"But now I think you know I have to go... And leave you behind, brother. For you'll be always alive in my heart, but she's waiting for me. I know I never told you anything about her... I had my reasons, you know them very well," he sighed. "I did it all for you, Ivar. And if she ever gives me a son, I'll name him after you, so he can keep telling your story throughout the years. I'll never forget you, brother. Hail and farewell, Ivar. We'll see each other again when the time comes..."

Leaving behind the first hacksilver of his necklace as a gift to his brother, Hvitserk left, mounting his horse and riding towards the docks where a Dane boat was already waiting for him, ready to take him home.

For a moment, Hvitserk placed his eyes on that land once again. Maybe it was the last time he would ever see that cursed place. Maybe one day he would come back to see Sigurd and Ivar and his father as well. Or maybe, like Ivar, he would come and die there alongside the ones he loved. The time would say. Fate would say.

He was finally coming home.

The boat took ages to make a trip he didn't remember was that long. Ingrid was the new queen and he could see the awe in her eyes when he jumped out of that boat, holding himself whole in spite of his tiredness.

"We thought you were..."

"Dead, like my brother. And your husband, I suppose," Hvitserk didn't care about cutting the queen's sentence. "Release your breath, woman. I have my own crown and have no interest in the one on your head. You're Harald's wife and he was Norway's king. This is now your problem, but still, my homelands so get used to having me walking around from time to time," he said, carelessly pointing down to the ground. "Now you excuse me, your highness... I have more important matters to treat. Spare me from feasts in your hall: The son of Ragnar may be back home, but I'm tired, exhausted... All I want is to find my woman and rest in her arms."

"Your what?"

But he left Ingrid and her whole surprise behind, walking away from the boat as the Danes were preparing to move with their trip. They wouldn't stay. He wouldn't come back, at least, for now.

If he ever had to die in those cursed lands, he would do it like his father: before growing too old.

After living his whole life.

His steps were still limping and for a moment, he giggled, remembering how Ivar had limped that whole pier under horrible words where now there were smiles and grateful faces blessing his return. Would they bless if Ivar was back as well?

Oh, they would. But his brother wanted more than just their blessings.

And he wanted more than just their words.

Hvitserk straightened his cloak. His limping steps walking through the streets with many memories, sometimes sad memories, sometimes sweet ones. And as his steps shortened the distance towards his cabin, the sweetest memories came, remembering him of his sneaky movements through those streets to find you without his little brother's eyes over him. The kisses you'd exchanged. Your hands against his skin.

His heart pounded when his eyes finally reached that door. It was still the same... The cabin was still exactly as his memories could build it in his mind. But it was silent and it, for a moment, stopped everything into Hvitserk's heart.

Could it be that the news of his death had sent you away for good?

Did he take too long to come back? Did someone tell you he was turned into a Christian and you believed it was for real?

His fingers touched the door and he hesitated before knocking on it.

What if you weren't there to answer?

What if there was another with you in his place now?

It was easier to burn down the Christians' village than it was to knock on his own house's door, but the sound of footsteps inside approaching the door turned Hvitserk's mind completely blank for a second.

The lock was opened and his eyes watched as the light from outside invaded the darkened cabin, covering your figure and showing the pale tones of your apron dress.

"Now it's not a good time, I'm..."

Your voice died into your throat. And your eyes met his in a long moment of silence where the whole world seemed to be stopped along with time itself.

Hvitserk could watch as the line of your eyes filled slowly with tears. He observed as the tears became thicker and broke the line, rolling down your face. Your beautiful face... He thought so many times he would never see you again.

You sobbed, losing the strength of your legs. And Hvitserk held you in his arms, feeling the warmth of your body against his chest once again.

It wasn't one more of his dreams. You were there.

He was home.

His scent invaded your nose and your sobs engulfed you whole as you nestled into his arms, holding him so tight that your knuckles became white against his clothes.

"Shh... Hush, my sweet love. I'm here now. I'm here with you," he mumbled as your sobs became louder.

You thought he was dead.

They told you he was dead.

You cried your soul out on that pier, begging the gods to drag your body into the waters and allow you to swim towards him into Valhalla as queen Gunnhild had done after her beloved Björn.

But instead, they held you back.

And as Hvitserk's hands cupped your face before he could seal his lips against yours, tasting your flavors he missed so bad once again, you understood why the gods had given you a reason to keep yourself alive.

It was for him. You were his gift.

And the gods had decided to bless him once more.

"I brought it back to you, my love," he said, giving your pendant back with his necklace. "The other... I left with him," he mumbled.

Eyes full of sadness for his brother you knew wouldn't come back with him.

You gave back his arm ring, caressing his hand as he smiled.

"I thought I would never see you again," he mumbled.

His warm and big hand caressing your face, drying the tears from it before you could finally speak between the sobs.

"They told us you were dead, my sweet prince. I mourned alone and wanted to follow you into Valhalla to serve your feast. But the gods forbade me. They took my freedom for it wasn't my choice anymore."

Hvitserk looked at you curious, not understanding your words until you brought him into the cabin enough for his eyes to land on the basket over his bed.

"They filled me with life and entrusted me with your legacy. I couldn't go. They made me stay. And now I understand that's because you're here, my love. You're back to me."

There weren't words in his mouth anymore.

Hvitserk's steps limped towards the bed and he sat, looking at that basket with surprise and admiration. Inside, a pair of icy blues was facing him, remembering him of so much in his life inside those little eyes.

Ragnar's eyes.

Ubbe's eyes.

Ivar's eyes...

All looking at him into the little one's orbs as his son was trying to eat his own hand, hungry like himself.

"His name is Herleifr, son of Hvitserk. For he's indeed the son of a warrior and I wanted him to know where he came from..." you mumbled as Hvitserk gently lifted the little one from the basket, holding the baby against his chest.

This time it was his eye line unable to hold back his tears as his fingers gently touched the little one's hands and face.

He had seen so much death...

He had lost so much on that trip...

His hands had buried his own little brother and burned that town to the ground, but now, they were holding his future.

Hvitserk giggled.

"Herleifr... My brother shall forgive me once again. I must have to produce another so I can name it after him as I promised," he said, making you smile at his teary face.

You came closer, caressing his cheeks, drying his tears.

"We shall take care of you, my precious prince. And so, when you're healed, we shall produce as many heirs you think you want to honor all the ones you lost and more," you smiled, feeling his hand touching your face, pulling you closer so he could kiss you that way you loved so bad.

The baby cooed in his hand when your lips separated from each other and Hvitserk smiled.

"Now I'm home... Now... I'm back where I belong," he said, touching his forehead to yours, caressing your face with his thumb. "In your arms, my love. I belong in your arms and this is my place in this world."

For a second, Hvitserk could feel Ivar's eyes over him. And he smiled remembering he could be there to watch for him.

"Valhalla will wait," he said, almost being able to hear his little brother's giggle as he caressed your face, smiling at you. "I have a whole dynasty to produce with you first."

His time to find his beloved ones at Valhalla would come, he knew that. But until there, he would enjoy his place in Miðgarð and produce as many heirs as you were up to bear for him.

His time to fight was over for now and now it was time for him to be happy. And he would, by your side.

By your side, he would.

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[scotianostra]

On January 30th 1886 Elizabeth 'Betty' Mouat set sail from Grutness to Lerwick, on the Shetland Isles, she would be washed ashore in Norway over a week later.

  In 1886 the unmarried Betty Mouat was 59 years old. She supported herself by knitting and she lived with her half-brother’s family in the tiny hamlet of Scatness near the southern tip of the main island of the Shetlands, one of the most remote inhabited locations in the British Isles.

Her background was a tragic one – her father had died six months before her birth when the whaler he was serving on disappeared in the Arctic. Her poor luck continued – a cartwheel broke her leg, and she was once shot in the head by a man hunting rabbits.  She herself had suffered a stroke in her late 50's and it was probably for treatment of this she set out for the doctors surgery 25 miles away that January morning on the Columbine, a small cutter-rigged sailing craft that carried mail and passengers, on the journey she was bringing some forty hand-crafted shawls with her for sale on behalf of herself and neighbours. weather was deteriorating and the Columbine’s captain warned Miss Mouat  that a rough passage could be expected. He advised that she might better wait. She was quite adamant however – sail in the Columbine she would. She came on board with her merchandise and with two pints of milk and two biscuits for refreshment during the expected three or four- hour passage. She went down into the small cabin and settled herself.

Disaster struck within half an hour of departure.  The main sheet broke, allowing the boom to swing free and in the process of securing it the captain was thrown overboard. The craft carried two deckhands and now – with the Columbine unable to manoeuvre due to the unavailability of the mainsail – they too the decision to launch the vessel’s single row-boat and go to the captain’s rescue. Given the weather conditions it seems remarkable that they expected to get back to the Columbine. The captain could not be found but by the time they realised that their search was futile the Columbine had been driven too far off to reach. She was carrying Miss Mouat, the only passenger, with her. The two deckhands were successful in reaching shore and raising the alarm but given the communications of the time the response could not be immediate. It's now I will hand you over to the great Tragedian Scottish poet William McGonagall, with a a contemporary account of the events, in his own inimitable style!  

The Wreck of the “Columbine” Kind Christians, all pay attention to me, And Miss Mouat’s sufferings I’ll relate to ye; While on board the Columbine, on the merciless sea, Tossing about in the darkness of night in the storm helplessly.

She left her home (Scatness), on Saturday morning, bound for Lerwick, Thinking to get cured by a man she knew, as she was very sick; But for eight days she was tossed about on the stormy main, By a severe storm of wind, hail, and rain.

The waves washed o’er the little craft, and the wind loudly roared, And the Skipper, by a big wave, was washed overboard; Then the crew launched the small boat on the stormy main, Thinking to rescue the Skipper, but it was all in vain.

Nevertheless, the crew struggled hard his life to save, But alas! the Skipper sank, and found a watery grave; And the white crested waves madly did roar, Still the crew, thank God, landed safe on shore.

As soon as Miss Mouat found she was alone, Her mind became absorbed about her friends at home; As her terrible situation presented itself to her mind, And her native place being quickly left far behind.

And as the big waves lashed the deck with fearful shocks, Miss Mouat thought the vessel had struck upon a reef of rocks; And she thought the crew had gone to get help from land, While she held to a rope fastened to the cabin roof by her right hand.

And there the poor creature was in danger of being thrown to the floor, Whilst the heavy showers of spray were blown against the cabin door, And the loosened sail was reduced to tatters and flapping with the wind, And the noise thereof caused strange fears to arise in her mind.

And after some hours of darkness had set in, The table capsized with a lurch of the sea which made a fearful din, Which helped to put the poor creature in a terrible fright, To hear the drawers of the table rolling about all the night.

And there the noble heroine sat looking very woe-begone, With hands uplifted to God making her moan, Praying to God above to send her relief, While in frantic screams she gave vent to her pent up grief.

And loud and earnestly to God the noble heroine did cry, And the poor invalid’s bosom heaved many a sigh; Oh! heaven, hard was the fate of this woman of sixty years of age, Tossing about on the briny deep, while the storm fiend did rage.

Oh! think of the poor soul crouched in the cabin below, With her heart full of fear, cold, hunger, and woe, And the pitiless storm of rain, hail, and snow, Tossing about her tiny craft to and fro.

And when the morning came she felt very sick, And she expected the voyage would be about three hours to Lerwick, And her stock of provisions was but very small, Only two half-penny biscuits and a quart bottle of milk in all

Still the heavy snow kept falling, and the sky was obscured, And on Sabbath morning she made her first meal on board, And this she confined to a little drop of milk and half a biscuit, Which she wisely considered was most fit.

And to the rope fastened to the cabin roof she still held on Until her hands began to blister, and she felt woe-begone, But by standing on a chest she could look out of the hatchway, And spend a little time in casting her eyes o’er the sea each day.

When Wednesday morning came the weather was very fine, And the sun in the heavens brightly did shine, And continued so all the live long day; Then Miss Mouat guessed that land to the norward lay.

Then the poor creature sat down to her last meal on board, And with heartfelt thanks she praised the Lord; But when Thursday morning came no more food could be had, Then she mounted a box about seven o’clock while her heart felt sad.

And she took her usual gaze o’er the sea with a wistful eye, Hoping that some passing vessel she might descry, And to the westward she espied a bright red light, But as the little craft passed on it vanished from her sight.

But alas; no vessel could she see around anywhere, And at last the poor soul began to despair, And there the lonely woman sat looking out to the heavens above, Praying to God for succour with her heart full of love.

At last the Columbine began to strike on submerged rocks, And with the rise and fall of the sea she received some dreadful shocks, And notwithstanding that the vessel was still rolling among the rocks, Still the noble heroine contrived once more to raise herself upon the box.

Still the Columbine sped on, and ran upon a shingly beach, And at last the Island of Lepsoe, Miss Mouat did reach, And she was kindly treated by the inhabitants in every way that’s grand, And conveyed to Aalesund and there taking steamer to fair England. On 7th February 1886 the Columbine was washed ashore on a beach at Lepsøy, near Ålesund, in Norway. When local villagers arrived on the scene they found Betty Mouat alive and well, after nine days living on a single bottle of milk and some ship's biscuits. Betty was repatriated to Edinburgh, and finally arrived in Lerwick on board the steamer St Clair in late March. 

She became an immediate celebrity and an appeal for public subscriptions to help her attracted a letter and a donation of £20 from Queen Victoria.

Betty Mouat lived to be 93 and on her death in 1918 was buried at Dunrossness Churchyard. The bay where she came ashore in Norway is now called Columbinebukta or "Columbine Bay": on 17th May 1986 a plaque was unveiled there commemorating the event. The croft in which Betty Mouat spent most of her life has now been extended to become Betty Mouat's Böd, a camping böd close to Sumburgh Airport.

[peonypearls-muddled-musings]

Main characters of PDatSK (more or less)

Dagney - Crown Princess of Olthandrynn (formerly Denmark), aged 14, patient and benevolent, she has chosen to add ambassador to her title of future queen; however, when old tempers flare from those who seek to harm her family, she must learn that peace isn’t always kind. (DoB: October 22nd)

Dargon - King of Olthandrynn, age unknown, former resident of Hell; The Seahorse King; Dargon is a man who thinks little of himself, but everything about his family and friends. He is wise, but admits his intelligence lacks due to years of just getting by on his own and having no formal education. (DoB unknown; chosen DoB April 7th)

Gwinletta - Queen of Olthandrynn, aged 47, former queen of Aubrelle (formerly southern France). Gwin lived a lonely childhood, something she promised no child of hers would ever face. She is a woman of resolve and determination, warm and jovial when she’s not overthinking. (DoB: July 29th)

Bensith - Prince of Olthandrynn, aged 9, Dagney’s witty, dry humored little brother is her best friend and confidant. A musical prodigy, Bensith prefers to stay indoors while his sisters enjoy running about in the fields; but often finds himself lonely, although he won’t admit it. (DoB: January 1st)

Miske - The youngest (soon to be second youngest) Olthandriann heir at age 4, Miske was born during a tornado warning, but many jest she was actually the tornado. A whirlwind of tulle and mud, Miske’s only priorities are her own whims, which can change by the second. (DoB: March 11th)

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Rinwey - The king of Gelleshire (formerly Wales), aged 55, Rinwey is spiteful, intelligent, and cold; but a doting husband and father. He won’t be fully content until the world is rid of Shapeshifters, and he is proud that his father’s side of the family has been guarding the Gates of Hell for generations. (DoB: October 23rd)

Pellnique - Queen of Gelleshire, aged 42. Pellnique put Rinwey in his place once, and it immediately had an impact on his stone hearted nature. They were wed within the year, and have only become closer over the past two decades. Sporty and charming, Pellnique is often the more sociable when she and her spouse are traveling. (DoB February 14th)

Colme - Twin of Olerqus, aged 17, the crown prince of Gelleshire is quiet, focused, and steely, although he is not cold and brash like Rinwey. While he will continue his father’s tradition of being a technological scientist, it’s been rumored that Colme may discontinue Shapeshifter hunts due to his very obvious disdain for them; but Rinwey will not comment on the possibility when asked about it; as it’s obviously not something he wants to think about. This has put a strain on the father and son’s relationship despite how well they often work together. (DoB: June 12th

Olerqus - The second in line for Gelleshire’s crown, aged 17, Olerqus is very much his mother’s son. Sociable, comedic, and light hearted, Olerqus is the first artist in his family for quite some years, not only creating his own pieces, but learning how to restore art from the years before the Shapeshifters’ rule. He is his brother’s other half, as their differences only strengthen each other. (DoB: June 12th)

Vuniper - the only princess of Gelleshire, aged 13, Vuniper is a well meaning spark of energy who looks up to her brothers and parents, although sometimes she may come off as disrespectful due to her spontaneity and eagerness. She is, however, worried about the fact that she is facing her Vocation choice soon, and she’s fighting to find what she wants to do. (DoB: August 14th)

Hadleinn - The youngest Gelleshire royal, aged 8, Hadleinn was born nearly 3 months premature, and has grown up with all of his parents’ precautions. He is pampered and loved, and often the most spoiled of the children. However, he’s been known to use this to spoil his own siblings at times, sneaking them treats when they’re supposed to be studying. (DoB: November 30th)

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Grennt  - King of Karntherin (formerly Greece), aged 43. Grennt is a tender-hearted man who values his loved ones. Currently married to his husband, Veluthe, Grennt is still friends with his ex-wife, Desta, with whom he welcomed his firstborne, Prince Branndt. Grennt is also on good terms with Desta’s husband, Bardeth. Grennt was Dargon’s first true ally, the two of them finding common ground during the Usurper War when it came to forging friendships, and they have been steadfast friends for some twenty years. (DoB: April 1st)

Veluthe - Former Captain of the Guard of Culpernathe (formerly Norway), a 53 year old trans man, Veluthe is a decorated warrior who is still held in high esteem with those who have served with him. Reserved and wry, but supportive and welcoming, Veluthe never imagined that retirement to Karntherin would land him in the eyes of the king. After an intimate courtship, Veluthe accepted Grennt’s proposal of marriage, and three years later, after much planning, they welcomed their daughter, Olympia. Veluthe is often called ‘the shoulder’, as when there’s strife, he’s often there to help alleviate that pain with a hug and as much support as he can offer. (DoB: September 19th)

Branndt - the 20 year old crown prince of Karntherin, Branndt is a beaming, sociable young man. At nearly 6′5′’, Branndt towers above all of his parents. He has a close relationship with his father, who he has lived with since his parents’ divorce, and played an integral part in convincing Grennt to ask Veluthe on a date. Branndt loves and respects his mother, who he always looks forward to seeing, and he communicates with her, his stepfather, and his little brothers regularly. (DoB: May 27th)

Olympia - the 5 year old princess of Karntherin, Olympia is quiet, but excitable. Her favorite method of transportation is sitting on top of her big brother’s shoulders. (Dob: December 21st)

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Desta - The 43 year old Queen of Takev (formerly Morocco), Desta hails from Kivne (which was once Egypt), where her older sister rules. Desta met Grennt during a social event when they were both 19, and the two clicked immediately. Enamored and romantic, the two married quickly, and welcomed their son Branndt by the time they were 23. However, after several more years, they realized they were growing apart. In order to preserve their friendship, they divorced amicably. Desta is the definition of a queen; regal, fair, and hard working. She would soon meet and marry her now-husband, Bardeth, and welcome two more sons. (DoB: November 13th)

Bardeth - the 47 year old King of Takev, Bardeth is a gentle soul. A medicine man at heart, Bardeth values science, nature and humanity. He has met much of his extended family before during wartime, having aided Grennt in patching up warriors, and meeting Veluthe after a grenade explosion caused the amputation of his lower leg, which led to his early retirement. Bardeth also met Dargon during the Usurper War, and the two often shared a quiet campfire as they decompressed from the stressors of war. Bardeth adores his wife, and is proud of his two boys, even if at times they’re a bit too rambunctious for him to handle. (DoB: June 1st)

Mig’Hail - the 7 year old crown prince of Takev, Mig’Hail is contemplative, but often uses that for a bit of mischief with his younger brother. Regardless, Mig’Hail is a friendly boy, and often just needs an outlet to talk about his favorite things with. (DoB: August 7th)

Coloye  - the 6 year old prince of Takev, Coloye is his big brother’s shadow, often following him around wherever he goes; except when it has to do with his royal lessons, then the little prince is often finding his parents to see if they’re up to anything exciting (spoiler alert, they’re not) (DoB: July 7th)

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Thanoelle - the 73 year old queen of Kluyagal (which sits in the territory once known as southern California) and older half sister of Rinwey, Thanoelle is proud to call herself one of the gatekeepers of Hell. Following in her father’s footsteps, she performs monthly purges without mercy, She remains in excellent health, even as a new great-grandmother. She is maternal to her family, but to a Shapeshifter, she acts as the grim reaper. (DoB June 20th)

[sytycdinternational]

Eurovision 2021 Semi-final #1 Review

Strongest Semi-Final ever since I started watching this show. I’m fully prepared to lose faves.

1. The Roop - Discoteque - Lithuania 🇱🇹: Singing “There’ noone here, I feel safe to dance alone” in front of millions of viewers perfectly illustrates our current state of mass surveillance, change my mind. There were no major changes to their performance at the national final (why would there be when the underlying concept got them a record win at Pabandom iš naujo!), but the bigger stage definitely added another (violet/pinkish) dimension to it. I wouldn’t mind at all if the checkered flag background image forshadowed their win this year.

2. Ana Soklič - Amen - Slovenia 🇸🇮: Ana’s performance sucked me in like the black hole on the background screen at the start. Great gestures to enhance a rather static show and the staging, just wow. One half of planet earth on screen reflected on the floor, the big bang bursting beneath her feet at the climax, it was simply a presentation of galactic dimensions. I do wish her pronounciation was clearer, since every time I was tempted to sing along her words seemed to devolve into gibberish in my ears.

3. Manizha - Russian Woman - Russia 🇷🇺: DON’T BE AFRAID, DON’T BE AFRAID, DON’T BE AFRAID! OF MANIZHA TAKING THE WIN!!! Cause that’s where she’s headed for! That. Was. So. MINDBLOWING. It truly exceeded all my expectations. The charisma, the drive, the vocals, holy shit. I was close to bursting out in tears during the folklorish chanting segment. Like, there was just something swelling up in me that’s hard to describe. All while I’m head-banging like crazy. Perfect execution starting with the patchwork fabrics and clay art in the postcard melting my heart. Ana really had bad luck being stuck between two crazy (good) entries lol. 

4. Tusse - Voices - Sweden 🇸🇪: It seemed like Tusse was caught in a permanent state of crouching. Tbh I was warming up to the song, but then the key change happened and I just went nope. I think the song would have benefitted from incorporating the harmonica element at the start more. 

5. Montaigne - Technicolour - Australia 🇦🇺: The dancing condoms from Lena’s 2011 entry for Germany made an unexpected comeback. I feel so bad for Montaigne, especially now that it’s become apparent what a drawback not being able to perform on the real stage really is. Also, that “technicolor” effect every few moments did nothing but harm the entry.

6. Vasil - Here I Stand - North Macedonia 🇲🇰: Vasil seems to like rock-climbing, that interesting to know. It could not, however, prepare me for the disarmingly sincere performance that Vasil gave us. Nothing he’s singing is ground-breaking at all, but it’s the sum of its parts that makes it so special for me. How could I not fall for  someone who’s dedicating a song to his lover in front of all of Europe.

OMG I first thought Nikkie told Montaigne to stay away, instead of awake lmao.

7. Lesley Roy - Maps - Ireland 🇮🇪: I thought Jendrik’s entry was the most kindergarten-y entry this year, but clearly I was wrong. I think Lesley bit off more than she could chew. Poor thing was so visibly nervous I was almost having a nervous breakdown from all the anxious energy she was giving off. Also, was she crying at the end??

8. Elena Tsagrinou - El Diablo - Cyprus 🇨🇾:   Tomboy Elena is not what I expected from the postcard. Hmm, some of the more questionable lyrics (taco, tamale...) suddenly became a lot more difficult to ignore. Still, surprisingly strong vocals for how much Elena is moving around, so major props for that6. Elena Tsagrinou - El Diablo - Cyprus 🇨🇾:   Tomboy Elena is not what I expected from the postcard. Hmm, some of the more questionable lyrics (taco, tamale...) suddenly became a lot more difficult to ignore. Still, surprisingly strong vocals for how much Elena is moving around, so major props for that.

9. TIX - Fallen Angel - Norway 🇳🇴: The song gains another dimension when taking Efentix into account, doesn’t it... For some reason I don’t think this song got elevated by the new stage at all. 

10. Albina - Tick-Tock - Croatia 🇭🇷: I feel like accidently stumbled into a showing of the Starlight Express musical. I think I know what they were going for with the outfits but they made me go more aww than oof. Still fierce. In an endearing way. Which works btw. Also, some nice ideas like turning Albina into a quintuplet and her dancers raising her up above their heads. Damn, her being all excited to be on stage at the end was super cute.

11. Hooverphonic - The Wrong Place - Belgium 🇧🇪: I think I’d have preferred an even darker song if that’s the attire they wanted to go for. In the end I really think they were in the wrong place.

12. Eden Alene - Set Me Free - Israel 🇮🇱: I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an unnecessary outfit change. I really like how Eden went for a warmer tone for the beginning before turning up the sass. I love what she did with her hair. Queen vibes. Also, my favorite dance choreography so far, the guys can get it.

13. ROXEN - Amnesia - Romania 🇷🇴: It really feels like she’s lost herself, including her voice. Okay, that was mean. Dancing while executing such an intricate stage choreography can’t be easy. Still, I think Finland got upstaged when it comes to edge factor. I was not sure, but then the font on screen last-minute basically confirmed it.

14. Efendi - Mata Hari - Azerbaijan 🇦🇿: It’s official, the true successor of “Fuego” has emerged. Elena who? Albina who? Efendi slays them all. All hail the snake goddess from the orient who ensnared millions of men in her pit this very night. Whoever came up with the ring-around-the-rosy circle dance is a god damn genius. So many circle elemnts too like the revolving flower pattern on the floor, the golden pear and the revolving fireball of doom turning into an all-seeing eye at the end. I’m positively hypnotized. 

15. Go_A - SHUM - Ukraine 🇺🇦: Kateryna’s piercing eyes stare right into my soul. Not sure if I’m in the mood for some winter vibes but interesting cyber-druid look. Is that what people mean by technopagans?

16. Destiny - Je Me Casse - Malta 🇲🇹: I’ll definitely add this catchphrase to my dictionary.

Ranking: Obsessing over #1-2, adore #3-6,  really like #6-10

Manizha - Russian Woman - Russia 🇷🇺

Efendi - Mata Hari - Azerbaijan 🇦🇿

The Roop - Discoteque - Lithuania 🇱🇹

Go_A - SHUM - Ukraine 🇺🇦

Vasil - Here I Stand - North Macedonia 🇲🇰

Albina - Tick-Tock - Croatia 🇭🇷

Eden Alene - Set Me Free - Israel 🇮🇱

Destiny - Je Me Casse - Malta 🇲🇹

Elena Tsagrinou - El Diablo - Cyprus 🇨🇾

Ana Soklič - Amen - Slovenia 🇸🇮

Montaigne - Technicolour - Australia 🇦🇺:

Tusse - Voices - Sweden 🇸🇪

ROXEN - Amnesia - Romania 🇷🇴:

Hooverphonic - The Wrong Place - Belgium 🇧🇪:

TIX - Fallen Angel - Norway 🇳🇴

Lesley Roy - Maps - Ireland 🇮🇪

Prediction of who’s not going to the finale:

Australia

Belgium

North Macedonia

Romania

Ireland

Slovenia

Nikkie dragging past Eurovision entires lmaoooo. The audacity. And of course they had to put Duncan’s ass shot into the promotion video I’m diiiieing. I don’t know what a double platinum disc is but I didn’t think someone would get it randomly handed to without pre-announcement.

Aaaand I was right except for Croatia instead of Belgium. Damn, that kinda hurts. But in terms of staging it had the least effective staging among the many bops in this semi-final so it makes sense in retrospect.

[eurotastic]

Eurovision reviews: Semi 1

Today’s the day, Eurovision is finally back! This is a special year for the competition in so many ways, but what stands out to me is the overall quality of the songs - I genuinely think it’s higher than ever. Semi final 1 is going to be a bloodbath, and I really feel that the songs that NQ will only do so because the competition is too strong, not because the NQ songs are bad or did anything wrong.   

Note that this post is song reviews only, based on my personal music preferences and opinions on staging - I will write separate posts predicting which songs will qualify for the grand final.   

Lithuania: The Roop-Discoteque

I was excited too see what The Roop would do after giving us On Fire last year, and they really outdid themselves. They have elevated their act in every way: The song has better lyrics and production, and their yellow stage costumes are instantly iconic. Also, the dancing this year is less based in pre-existing meme dances, which really makes the performance stand on its own. I love love love this.

10/10

Slovenia: Ana Soklič - Amen

She has a really beautiful deep voice and that’s about the only interesting thing going on here. 

3/10

Russia: Manizha - Russian Woman

After a short but eventful stay in America, Tutar Sagdiyev returns to Kazakhstan with her brand new feminist manifesto! . Borat jokes aside, this is absolutely amazing. I love the folk punk energy, I love how she’s just talking in the verses, and I love how clearly she gets her point across even though most viewers  won’t understand a word of the Russian lyrics. 

10/10

Sweden: Tusse - Voices

I’m conflicted because on one hand I think Tusse is amazing, on the other hand I know he can do much better than this. Tusse is a potential Eurovision winner, but this song is not really showing off how bright his personality is. I still think it’s a super well made song, but not the most exciting. 

6/10

Australia: Montaigne - Technicolour

It’s very Marina and the Diamonds circa 2010, which is cool. However, Montaigne looks absolutely terrified when she sings and it’s making me a little uncomfortable. The whole thing just feels shaky, even if the song itself is pretty unique.

6/10

North Macedonia: Vasil - Here I Stand

Do I really have to talk about this one? This is a bathroom break song.

Ireland: Lesley Roy - MAPS

I get what she’s going for, it’s feels very Castle on the hill by Ed Sheeran (his least horrible song), and it’s nice. Not great, just nice. I really thing the chorus needs work, it’s way too repetitive for this kind of song.At least the staging is ambitious.

5/10 

Cyprus: Elena Tsagrinou - El Diablo

She’s literally singing about how she wants to fuck Satan. Have we seen a sexy excorcism (a sexorcism) on the Eurovision stage before?

10/10

Norway: TIX - Fallen Angel

I don’t understand this at all but I think I love it. You know this will be the biggest meme of the year, and I love that for Norway. As great as this is, I think the staging is doing all the heavy lifting, the song just sounds like a mainstream pop song that really needs exceptional staging to elevate it. Luckily for TIX, this staging really is exceptional.

8/10

Croatia: Albina - Tick-Tock

In any other year, this would probably be a standout. It’s upbeat and modern, and I love how it switches languages for the last refrain. Not my favorite by any means, but definitely fun.

6/10  

Belgium: Hooverphonic - The Wrong Place

This feels like it belongs far away from Eurovision - I can see it being played in a smoky jazz club full of middle aged academics. I think this song is great, and from what I’ve seen the staging is absolutely beautiful, in a really subdued and tasteful way. 

8/10   

Israel: Eden Alene - Set Me Free

I have very little to say about this except that it’s a bop, Eden has stellar vocals and awesome looks, and I can’t wait to hear that whistle note. Nothing revolutionary, but a lot of fun nonetheless. 

7/10

Romania: ROXEN - Amnesia

This is like if Billie Eilish didn’t have a personality or a sense of humor. I get what she’s going for, but it’s all teenage angst and I’m just too old too be into that. Also, it’s hard to get excited about this knowing that there’s a way better Billie derivative coming up in semi 2.  3/10 

Azerbaijan: Efendi - Mata Hari

This might be an unpopular opinion but I think this is a way better song than Cleopatra. I mean, it’s basically the exact same song, but I like this version way better. However, the fact that this song only exists because they needed a replacement for Cleopatra is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Still, this song is a bop, albeit in a really mindless way.  7/10

Ukraine: Go_A - Shum

I loved Go_A from the first second I heard Solovey last year, and they did not disappoint when coming back for 2021. This is just the most unique, stunning music I have ever heard in my life, no excaggeration. This is why I love Eurovision so much, because I know music like this would be nearly impossible for me to stumble upon on my own, but here it is being shown to millions of viewers. I’m just in awe of this whole thing. All hail the witch queen of Chernobyl. 11/10

Malta: Destiny - Je Me Casse

This is like a europop song by Lizzo and I really appreciate it. I definitely prefer this over Destiny’s song from last year, which made her feel like a fourth member of The Mamas (The Daughter? The Niece?). This song is so upbeat and so energetic, and I think it feels way more fitting for someone who’s only 18. She gets to use her amazing voice while also having a fun time, and I think that’s how you win this. 

8/10

[kshitij1997]

Hi everyone!

Hmm, so I have introduced a lot of the main characters already in my fanfic. Here’s a short summary of what defines each character, if people don’t fancy reading the whole story, or are confused by who’s what. Also added some characters not introduced yet, titbits and many future plot points.

 

Runeard:- Ruthless, oppressive tyrant whose destructive actions against the Northurldra are the lynchpin of the epic, and will affect Elsa, Olva(Original Character) and Anna decades down the line as they effect Agnarr and Iduna presently.

Agnarr and Iduna:- The present king and queen of Arendelle(Stand-in for Norway and Sweden). They are presently in marital and familial bliss as they have just welcomed Olva in the family, just 14 and a half months after Elsa was born. They’ll be put to the ultimate test of their lives soon enough.

Reginald and Sophia:- The present king and queen of Corona(Stand-in for Prussia) and close friends of Agnarr and Iduna. Princess Sophia hails from Austria-Hungary, from the Habsburg clan. Their union has made them the dominant power couple in Central Europe. Alas their child, princess Eva Rapunzel has been kidnapped. They have spent a massive amount of their personal wealth on finding their daughter, building the kingdom’s strength through alliances throughout Europe, but to no avail.

Princess Eva Rapunzel:- Feared dead. There have been rumours of sightings in the small islands near Northern Cyprus in the present-day Ottoman empire, however the ships sent to navigate the region seldom come back, and the Ottomans are not too keen on helping Corona, ever since relations soured between the two when the Monarchs of Serbia were brutally assassinated. There are some disputable stories that claim that she may have the ability to grant life. (May have a fascination with the human body and healing and treating people.)

Flynn:- Some very murky details on this one. An orphaned street rat who at one point supposedly ran the most profitable dodge racket criminal empire in the Rhinelands with fellow partner in crime, Markus. With Markus gone, Flynn is on the run, a warrant out against him where he has been charged with the burning of the Mansion, a very important monument to Corona.

Princess Elsa:- The heir apparent to the throne of Arendelle, and the first-born daughter of Agnarr and Iduna. Blessed with powers over Ice, she may be destined for greatness, or great pain, whatever makes the mythical hero’s sacrifice count. May have problems with self-worth, self-pity, anxiety, depression and emotional distance from her loved ones.

Princess Olva:- The second-in-line for the throne, a feisty kid with an academic bent, cares deeply for her family. May experience trauma from an accident, in order to recover from said trauma, she may take the supernatural path destined for her. Unlike Elsa, she tries to live in the real world. She may not suffer from anxiety issues, but there may be problems with rage, bitterness, pain and obsessive tendencies.

Princess Anna:- Soon to be youngest child of the Arendellian Monarchs, she is happy go lucky, loves her family and is outdoorsy. Which does not mean that she doesn’t have dark secrets of her own. She may struggle with abandonment, trying to reconnect with those she lost. She wears her heart on her sleeve. Her innocence may be endearing to some, but the same quality renders her a target for the world. Despite all that, she tries to be courageous for those she cares for the most.

Prince Hans/Janus:- The fated prince thirteenth in line for the throne, he may have an enormous responsibility entrusted upon him by his imposing mother. Is trying to find peace, may be a people pleaser but values freedom and joy over everything. May go to any length to achieve his desires. If not freedom, then power for sure. His heart may be driven towards the ocean.

The Northurldra:- The largest minority in the kingdom of Arendelle. The Northurldra and southern Arendelle have been at loggerheads since the middle ages, but in recent history, the divide has been deepened when Runeard waged war against them. With the mist splitting the north from the south, the Northurldra have fallen on desperate times and must resort to piracy and smuggling. Growing resentment against the crown of Arendelle may lead to assassination attempts or might even lead to all-out war.

Kristoff:- Not yet introduced in the story, but he is from a family of commoners with a trusty reindeer friend he calls Sven. His family cuts and sells ice for a living. After a nasty incident with some border bandits from the north, he’s left alone in the wilderness where the clan of the rock hermits find him and take him in.

Grand Pabbie:- The patriarch of the rock hermit clan, he is a being of half rock and half human flesh and blood, with vines and moss in place of hair. A supernatural being possessing great ancient powers, he is the curator and guardian of the Arendellian wilderness. Every winter, he goes deep into meditation in order to appease the gods to keep the winters forgiving. Knows past, present and future, but sternly believes in letting things take their course and not intervening with fate and destiny.

Queen Paulina Karazmov:- The sixth and present wife of the king of the Southern Isles, she is bitter about the loss of the kingdom of Poland, which was her ancestral homeland. She hopes to see Poland rise from the ashes, even if she must sacrifice her son Janus, also known as Hans by his father, the king.

King Christian the eighth of the Southern Isles (stand-in for Denmark):- The present king of the Southern Isles, the king is in his late middle age, father to thirteen children. He is confident that his large family could help gain control in Europe and wrest the supremacy from the Habsburgs.  Little does he fathom or know; he might be nursing a succession crisis in his wake.

Tsar Alexander the first of Russia:- The sovereign of the Russian empire, the Tsar conquered Napoleon, but is in his twilight years. Seen as a respectable presence in Europe, he has often played the peacemaker. Alas, he is childless & on his way out and his two brothers are not very keen on succeeding him. One due to the huge responsibility, and the other due to fear, even though the fear is disguised as military discipline.

The Duke of Weselton (Stand-in for Belgium):- Considered a gangster among royals, he rules with an iron fist, forever subjugating and trying to weasel out a deal that makes him prosperous. At one point a staunch ally of Arendelle, he has had a falling out with Iduna and Agnarr over a dispute of sovereignty. Now he lies in wait, akin to a viper in the grass, whilst indulging himself with Opium and Marijuana, ready to strike and sink the treacherous kingdom of Arendelle.

The British and the French:- The two great powers who sit and watch the whole drama play out, eager to switch sides on a whim, wherever their interests were better served. Bitter rivals throughout history, they have now come to a strained, mutual understanding of peace.

What do you guys think?

[leavingcertnightmares]

Shakespeare uses an array of dramatic techniques to convey a world of corruption and deceit in his drama ‘Hamlet’

The metaphoric and symbolic complexity of Shakespeare’s tragedies is perhaps what he is best known for. Outside his great drama and fascinating characterisation, the imagery and dramatic techniques used ensures these masterpieces live on centuries after his death. In studying ‘Hamlet’ I was fascinated by the use of the supernatural as well as theatre, and the imagery of sickness and poison. It is, however, the use of an anti-hero/anti-villain, the depiction of a world of greys instead of black and white morality, that sets Shakespeare’s work aside from the very popular Elizabethan revenge tragedies.

Shakespeare continuously subverts expectation by shirking the idea of any truly good or evil characters existing in the world of Elsinore. Both of the main characters display a depth uncharacteristic of the hero/villain they are meant to be representing. This lack of a ‘good vs evil’ plot that is so central to what audiences have come to expect, paints a picture of a corrupted society with uncomfortably ambiguous morals. 

The audience expects to be hailing Hamlet as the hero of the story, but as the play progresses he provides many examples of villainy and indecisiveness. His treatment of Ophelia for example, in act 3 scene 1 is downright cruel. ‘Wise men know well what monsters you make of them’. He treats his mother with the same cruelty in act 3 scene 4. With his accusations of murder and incest he denounces female frailty and unchastity and makes known his horrified sense of the consequences of marraige. ‘Frailty thy name is woman’. ‘Thou turn’st mine eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grained spots’. After Hamlet’s many displays of misogyny and procrastination, the audience cannot be sure if his intentions are heroic or not. He is deceitful and weak-willed, two decidedly villainous traits, and is the epitome of an anti-hero.

Claudius too breaks away from the role of villain at times and cannot be treated as wholly evil. Although he is guilty of murder and does many awful deeds, one has to consider his initial introduction as a brilliant king who is well loved by the people of Elsinore. He balances the grief of a kingdom along with the threat of war with Norway. One of the most impactful scenes with Claudius is act 3 scene 3, the prayer scene. He expresses genuine guilt for his actions ‘Forgive me my foul murder’, and shows that he does have a moral compass. He shows true complexity when he weighs up being forgiven over giving up the fruits of his crimes ‘My crown, mine own ambition and my queen’. And the moment he decides against repenting for his sins is the moment he is truly corrupted. Shakespeare crafts Claudius into the perfect embodiment of an anti-villain whom the audience cannot completely turn against. Afterall one of the biggest tragedies is when someone can be good, but chooses to be bad. This technique of portraying morally grey characters is one of the most influential in conveying the corrupted, deceitful nature of the drama but is not the only one.

 Shakespeare uses the Ghost not only as a plot device but as a symbol of the inherit corrupt nature of Danish society. The Ghost plays a hugely important role in the play as he is the first evidence that ‘something is rotten in the state of Denmark’. He effectively captures the audience from the beginning when he is classed as a ‘dreaded sight’. The Ghost of King Hamlet introduces the theme of corruption and deception. It shows deep disturbances in the kingdom, ‘bodes eruption to our state’, which shows the audience that this is not a regular occurrence in Elsinore. 

Hamlet’s dead father is the catalyst for change, and it is his dramatic revelations that get the play underway.  The revelations about ‘the serpent that did sting thy father’s life’ allow the audience to join the dots and understand that it is indeed Claudius who is the snake in question. Hamlet’s problem with his mother is confirmed when the Ghost speaks of ‘his shameful lust that will of my most seeming virtuous queen’, which gives the audience an opportunity to form an opinion about Gertrude. However, the task of vengeance imposed on his son intensifies his suffering. Shakespeare proves how filial duty is of utmost importance to the young prince. He is fully aware of the corruption that infects the monarchy, he knows being loyal to his father is the only way to stop this vicious circle.

The Ghost also forces the other characters to question Hamlet’s sanity. When he returns to ‘To whet thy blunted purpose’ during the closet scene, Gertrude cannot see the Ghost of her husband past. She can only see her crazy and disturbed son. We are almost unsure what is and isn’t deceptive at this point. This phantom works as a narrative exposition, he sets the theme of deception and corruption from the moment he enters the play and gives Hamlet a sense of purpose.

Another core technique used in the play is Imagery. There is a running motif throughout of sickness and poison. The play begins and ends with poison which lends a cyclical quality to it. Claudius is referred to by the Ghost as a ‘serpent’, an animal not only a fitting symbol of poison but whose biblical connections associate it solely with deceit and corruptness.

 All characters who die in the tragedy die of one fatal flaw. Polonius of interference in the business of others, Hamlet of indecisiveness. That is the nature of poison, it is slow-acting, targets weakness, and ultimately corrupts. 

The consistent view of Denmark throughout is of a society that is infected or dying, ‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark’. Even the events of the play are diseased, ‘Oh to my sick soul’, ‘Quick of the ulcer’, ‘canker’. This image of sickness combined with the image of poison creates a sense of inevitability, a foreboding atmosphere, if Elsinore is sick then its unavoidable death will soon follow.

A technique that also contributes to this corrupt society is Shakespeare's use of Theatre and Acting. There are no characters, with the exception of Horatio, that are completely honest. In fact, deception plays such a huge role in the drama, that the audience can only be sure a character is giving their true thoughts in asides and soliloquies. Shakespeare uses this technique both in grand, obvious ways, such as the Mousetrap, as well as more subtle ways. It is a constant throughout the play, present in almost every scene. Hamlet’s antic disposition, the most major example of theatre, blurs the line of acting and true madness until the audience is sure of nothing, and can trust no one.

 And just as the audience is getting used to questioning everything, Shakespeare presents a scene, the only scene, that is completely devoid of acting.

The arrival of the actors. Hamlet is shocked into dropping all pretences for a moment around those he believes he can trust. ‘My excellent good friends’. The appearance of Rosencranz and Guildenstern brings out the jovial sociable side of Hamlet. In this scene Shakespeare uses the dramatic technique of theatre as a composer might use silence. When a movie has an amazing, emotional score the whole way through, composers will often have one scene with no music at all. This draws attention to it. In allowing the audience to feel an absence of what we expect, it draws attention to the moment. Shakespeare, using the absence of a major theme in this scene, expertly calls attention to its huge presence in the rest of the play.

The facades and acting of all the characters in Elsinore create an image of a crooked, dishonest kingdom, that relies so heavily on deceit that ‘to be honest is to be one man picked out of a thousand’.

The world of deception and corruption evoked by Shakespeare is effectively brought to life through the use of the moral ambiguity, the supernatural, imagery, and theatre. These techniques bring this world to life for the audience and help them to deeply understand the themes and characters of the play. The play would be much less compelling and would lack depth. I personally think that the masterpiece that is Hamlet is thought provoking because of all of the hidden techniques Shakespeare effectively used to evoke the world of deception and corruption.                H1 Standard: 95%

[hail-kattegat]

Imagine: Ivar helping you to give birth.

Let me know if you want to be tagged! xx.

Gif credit: @vikingsinuppsala

Requested by: Anonymous.

Warning: None.

Ivar might break a bone but he will never break a promise. And he proved it to you one more time when he married you as soon as he became King of Kattegat. The two of you were the perfect opposite, but it was undeniable that you were perfectly completing each other. You always thought that your live truly began the day you met Ivar. You used to be a slave in Sweden until the day the Queen made you a Free Woman after you saved her son’s life. You grown up fascinating by the stories of Ragnar Lothbrok the poets told during feasts, so the first thing you did to start your new life was taking a boat to Kattegat. It didn’t take long for the people to notice your arrival. You were a beautiful young woman with a joyful and outgoing personality. Just like it didn’t take long for you to meet the moody cripple prince. What brought the two of you together was your admiration for Ragnar and your love for the Gods. Or maybe it was Floki… The boat builder took you under his wing immediately, as it was the first time he met someone who loved the Gods as much as he did. And you knew that he played the matchmaker between you and Ivar several times, but you were truly grateful for that. And so was Ivar. You always were an unfailing support to him, especially in the hardest time of his life. You even made him discover his sweet side. Ivar promised to marry you a few days after the death of his brother Sigurd, and that when he will take back Kattegat from Lagertha. And he did.

A marriage changes people life, that’s a fact. But it changed yours doubly. It was one of the biggest celebration you ever attended. People came from all Norway and even Sweden to celebrate your union with Ivar. After all, everybody wanted to get on his good side. “I am happy, Y/N. And that, for the first time in my life. I have avenged my Mother’s death. I am King. And I am married to the love of my life.” Ivar said to you during the feast, kissing your hand tenderly. The smile who was on your face all day became even bigger at your husband’s sweet words. “I am happy too, Ivar.” You assured him before gently caressing one of his cheeks. “I know the Gods will bless us with many children.” His words made you bite your lips instantly. It was something that a really few people knew, but Ivar always wanted to be a father. And he was convinced that you were the only one who could give him children. “Well, my love…” You started, leaning towards him while your hand was still on his cheek. “What if They already bless us with one?” You confessed to him, making him suddenly confused. Ivar took a few minutes to be sure that he really understood what you just said to him. He was looking deeply into your eyes before an uncontrollable little laugh escaped him. “You… You are with child?” Ivar asked you and you nodded, still smiling at him. He made you stand up from your chair to carefully put one of his hands on your womb. Another tender kiss was drop on this part of your body before Ivar raised up his horn of mead. “People of Kattegat! Tonight we are celebrating two things. My wedding. But also the fact that my wife, your Queen, is with child!” He shouted proudly and everyone in the Great Hall hailed with excitement. You knew Ivar for many years now, but you never saw a smile that big and bright on his face before.

During your pregnancy, Ivar never left your side. He was even more protective with you than before. And of course, he made sure that you didn’t lack or want anything. But with the joy also came the worries. At every sickness or pain, Ivar feared that you lost the baby. Or that it was a sign that your child will have his skeletal condition. It almost became obsessional; he went to the Seer at least once a day in case the wise one saw something. And countless were the nights Ivar didn’t sleep just to look at your womb. But his favourite months were probably the last ones, where he could feel your baby kicking. “He is strong.” You said playfully while Ivar laughed after he felt your child moving as he spoke to him. “He?” He repeated suddenly, surprised by the words who came out of your mouth. Ivar then straightened up so he could sit next to you on the bed. “How do you know it will be a boy?” He asked you, his beautiful ocean eyes alternated between you and your perfectly round belly. “I just know. I will give you a son, Ivar The Boneless.” Your words sounded like a promise to him, and he couldn’t help but smile and kiss your lips passionately.

Less than a mouth later, you woke up with your bed wet and in a terrible pain. “Ivar!” You screamed loudly from your room, even though you knew he was sitting near the boats like every morning since he was the King of Kattegat, it helped him clear his mind for the day he once said to you. But when the wind carried the sound of your voice to him, Ivar immediately raised his head. His heart started pounding crazily in his chest, he knew it could only mean one thing: the baby was coming. He hurried to your room just like the slaves and the healers. Ivar sat on the bed next to you, one of his arms around your shoulder and your hand in his. “I cannot do it, Ivar. It is too painful.” You said to your husband, almost in tears. “Of course you can do it. I believe in you, Y/N.” He encouraged you before you pushed again, squeezing his hand. Even if he tried to hide it, Ivar was scared. Fearing the worst for you and the baby. Seeing you in so much pain broke him. He was powerless, and he hated that. Ivar screamed with you. Wiped your forehead. And kissed your temple to reassure you. Until you both finally heard clear and strong cries. Ivar slowly released his grip on you when the healer came with your child. She smiled at the two of you before giving him carefully the beautiful and perfectly healthy baby she was holding. “It is… It is a boy. I have a son.” Ivar said with emotion, his eyes locked on your child. “It told you I will give you a son.” You responded, still out of breath and exhausted. You tenderly caressed your child’s cheek before looking up at Ivar. When your eyes met, you smiled at each other with joy. “Thank you.” He whispered before kissing your lips with all the love he had for you.

Tags: @bellagreenleaflotr @ivartheblessed @vikingdrabbles @mblaqgi @he-has-a-name @the-witch-from-the-forest @alicedopey @lol-haha-joke @iofiivar @readsalot73 @sallylebecks

[libertasrpg]

We welcome Anna Árnadalr to the city. She’s 22 years old and is a Princess. Anna is often mistaken for Virginia Gardner. She’s open.

→ Background Information

Hailing from Norway, Anna is practically the polar opposite of her sister Elsa. Born in the middle of summer, Anna is the embodiment of warmth and sunshine. Bringing life into the home at some would say even the darkest of times. There was a moment when the Arnadalr family were content, Anna remembers it but only in passing and photographs. Distance memories of how close the family were, specifically how close her and Elsa were. She doesn’t remember what changed or the accident that caused her memory lost. During a night out in the early morning snow, the young sisters snuck out to play, only when Anna fell and hit her head that things took a turn for the worse. Causing a small brain hemorrhage, though luckily easily fixed but not without leaving Anna with a white scare from her forehead to behind her ear; covered with locks of hair the raised scare is the only memory she holds from it. Even if she doesn’t remember it, it caused a permanent shift and a isolation between the two sisters. With Elsa locking herself in her room pushing Anna away and her parents busy with formal affairs, the young girl was left alone to wander the halls of their home alone with only the characters from paintings for company. As she grew, so did Anna’s heart and her deserve for adventure and well- anything beyond the walls in which she grew up in. She’d even thought of traveling, finding a young love and whisking away into a fairytale romance. Though when a storm at sea sunk her parents ship, her dreams of escapism sank with it. Despite only having Elsa left, Anna can’t help but feel like she’s already lost her too. Having tried for so many years and waited outside doors for company that never came, she grieved for their parents publicly and privately alone with Elsa not even making a passing appearance. She knows it can’t be easy for her sister, but that doesn’t make Anna’s earning for something more still ever present and growing day by day.

→ Living Situation

Currently living with Olaf, the house is always filled with hot chocolate and a thousand marshmallows. The last thing that Anna wanted was to move and to live by herself surrounded by the same cold lonely walls. Olaf brings a life with him whenever he goes, a bright nature that can’t help but comfort the young woman and settle her nerves while trying to reconnected with her sister. She is more than thankful for her friend’s company on a daily basis, so relieved to not be alone anymore.

→ Relocation Explanation

The rumors spreading through Norway soon started to unravel into a painful reality that led the royal family exposed and under thread. For the most part, Anna wasn’t aware what was going on. It had been just before an official event, the press had wanted answers but what had started innocently had led Elsa fleeing the scene suffering with panic attacks. Almost the night after, she was escorted out of the country to a safe heaven. Leaving Anna trying to find pieces, a trail to follow to her sister when the governors gave off so little information of the were abouts of the queen. Eventually, still with very little explanations from the advisers around her, it was suggested that Anna follow in a bid to protect the family from harm in the uncertain times. Occupied by Olaf and put under the protection of Kristoff and Sven, the four went in search for Elsa. And welcomed not so warmly when they found her. But Anna wasn’t going to say no to an opportunity to experience the world and definitely wasn’t going to leave her sister alone. Settling in Libertas, Anna is learning more about the world than ever before, with doors finally open to her that have been closed for so long. 

→ Her Personality

Her bubbly nature makes it difficult for anyone not to fall for the young princess’s charms. Though many see her as naive from having a sheltered and privileged life, Anna comes with a fiery temper and can often act without thought when she feels passionately about something. Having been kept to the side for most of her life, she is fiercely protective of those she cares about. A hopeless romantic, Anna wants nothing more than to feel loved and be loved in return. Having been blocked out by her sister and kept apart from her parents, Anna just wants someone to be there for her; at points her desire to not feel so alone leaving her with blind trust. 

→ Her Qualities

Bubbly, excitable, warmhearted

Naive, confrontational, stubborn 

→ Her Relationships

Elsa Árnadalr (sister): It is no secret that the two have an strained relationship, though they aren’t the closest pair; the rare moments they share are often filled with giggles and tenderness. Well- until Elsa pulls away again. Having followed her sister to Liberta’s, Anna is hoping to rekindle their relationship in hopes to cling onto the last piece of family she has left.

Kristoff Bjorgman (friend & potential love interest): Put under the protection of the ice bearer to not alert any suspicion when leaving the country, Kirstoff and Sven helped guide the young princess - all be it a little begrudgingly from him in the first place. If it wasn’t for Kristoff, they never would have found Elsa and Anna couldn’t be more than thankful for the friendship that developed along the way. 

Hans Westergård (acquaintance & potential love interest): Having met the Prince of Denmark through the occasional formal events, Anna can’t help hopelessly admiring the charming, handsome prince from afar. They have talked in passing, each time the young princess blushing and awkwardly confessing her attraction to him.

→ Possible Connections

Olaf Østberg (friend): Growing up Olaf was always the thing that kept a piece of Anna and Elsa together, acting as almost a mediator between the pair. Though Olaf and Elsa are closer, Anna cares for her friend deeply. Thankful for even a small piece of Elsa that she can hold onto. 

Eloise Petrosinella (Cousin): Anna was exploring town, taking in - well everything she could see - when she wondered into the art gallery. The two clicked almost instantly, with similar personalities it’s hard not to smile when the two vibrant women are in shared quarters. Though Elsa has some suspicions about Eloise’s past, Anna is too consumed with the new friendship to take notice. 

Anna Árnadalr is based on Anna from Frozen.

[scotianostra]

On January 30th 1886 Elizabeth 'Betty' Mouat set sail from Grutness to Lerwick, on the Shetland Isles, she would be washed ashore in Norway over a week later.

In 1886 the unmarried Betty Mouat was 59 years old. She supported herself by knitting and she lived with her half-brother’s family in the tiny hamlet of Scatness near the southern tip of the main island of the Shetlands, one of the most remote inhabited locations in the British Isles.

Her background was a tragic one – her father had died six months before her birth when the whaler he was serving on disappeared in the Arctic. Her poor luck continued – a cartwheel broke her leg, and she was once shot in the head by a man hunting rabbits. She herself had suffered a stroke in her late 50's and it was probably for treatment of this she set out for the doctors surgery 25 miles away that January morning on the Columbine, a small cutter-rigged sailing craft that carried mail and passengers, on the journey she was bringing some forty hand-crafted shawls with her for sale on behalf of herself and neighbours.

weather was deteriorating and the Columbine’s captain warned Miss Mouat that a rough passage could be expected. He advised that she might better wait. She was quite adamant however – sail in the Columbine she would. She came on board with her merchandise and with two pints of milk and two biscuits for refreshment during the expected three or four- hour passage. She went down into the small cabin and settled herself.

Disaster struck within half an hour of departure. The main sheet broke, allowing the boom to swing free and in the process of securing it the captain was thrown overboard. The craft carried two deckhands and now – with the Columbine unable to manoeuvre due to the unavailability of the mainsail – they too the decision to launch the vessel’s single row-boat and go to the captain’s rescue. Given the weather conditions it seems remarkable that they expected to get back to the Columbine. The captain could not be found but by the time they realised that their search was futile the Columbine had been driven too far off to reach. She was carrying Miss Mouat, the only passenger, with her. The two deckhands were successful in reaching shore and raising the alarm but given the communications of the time the response could not be immediate.

It's now I will hand you over to the great Tragedian Scottish port William McGonagall, with a a contemporary account of the events, in his own inimitable style!

The Wreck of the “Columbine”Kind 

Kind Christians, all pay attention to me, And Miss Mouat's sufferings I'll relate to ye; While on board the Columbine, on the merciless sea, Tossing about in the darkness of night in the storm helplessly. She left her home (Scatness), on Saturday morning, bound for Lerwick, Thinking to get cured by a man she knew, as she was very sick; But for eight days she was tossed about on the stormy main, By a severe storm of wind, hail, and rain. The waves washed o'er the little craft, and the wind loudly roared, And the Skipper, by a big wave, was washed overboard; Then the crew launched the small boat on the stormy main, Thinking to rescue the Skipper, but it was all in vain. Nevertheless, the crew struggled hard his life to save, But alas! the Skipper sank, and found a watery grave; And the white crested waves madly did roar, Still the crew, thank God, landed safe on shore. As soon as Miss Mouat found she was alone, Her mind became absorbed about her friends at home; As her terrible situation presented itself to her mind, And her native place being quickly left far behind. And as the big waves lashed the deck with fearful shocks, Miss Mouat thought the vessel had struck upon a reef of rocks; And she thought the crew had gone to get help from land, While she held to a rope fastened to the cabin roof by her right hand. And there the poor creature was in danger of being thrown to the floor, Whilst the heavy showers of spray were blown against the cabin door, And the loosened sail was reduced to tatters and flapping with the wind, And the noise thereof caused strange fears to arise in her mind. And after some hours of darkness had set in, The table capsized with a lurch of the sea which made a fearful din, Which helped to put the poor creature in a terrible fright, To hear the drawers of the table rolling about all the night. And there the noble heroine sat looking very woe-begone, With hands uplifted to God making her moan, Praying to God above to send her relief, While in frantic screams she gave vent to her pent up grief. And loud and earnestly to God the noble heroine did cry, And the poor invalid's bosom heaved many a sigh; Oh! heaven, hard was the fate of this woman of sixty years of age, Tossing about on the briny deep, while the storm fiend did rage. Oh! think of the poor soul crouched in the cabin below, With her heart full of fear, cold, hunger, and woe, And the pitless storm of rain, hail, and snow, Tossing about her tiny craft to and fro. And when the morning came she felt very sick, And she expected the voyage would be about three hours to Lerwick, And her stock of provisions was but very small, Only two half-penny biscuits and a quart bottle of milk in all Still the heavy snow kept falling, and the sky was obscured, And on Sabbath morning she made her first meal on board, And this she confined to a little drop of milk and half a biscuit, Which she wisely considered was most fit. And to the rope fastened to the cabin roof she still held on Until her hands began to blister, and she felt woe-begone, But by standing on a chest she could look out of the hatchway, And spend a little time in casting her eyes o'er the sea each day. When Wednesday morning came the weather was very fine, And the sun in the heavens brightly did shine, And continued so all the live long day; Then Miss Mouat guessed that land to the norward lay. Then the poor creature sat down to her last meal on board, And with heartfelt thanks she praised the Lord; But when Thursday morning came no more food could be had, Then she mounted a box about seven o'clock while her heart felt sad. And she took her usual gaze o'er the sea with a wistful eye, Hoping that some passing vessel she might descry, And to the westward she espied a bright red light, But as the little craft passed on it vanished from her sight. But alas; no vessel could she see around anywhere, And at last the poor soul began to despair, And there the lonely woman sat looking out to the heavens above, Praying to God for succour with her heart full of love. At last the Columbine began to strike on submerged rocks, And with the rise and fall of the sea she received some dreadful shocks, And notwithstanding that the vessel was still rolling among the rocks, Still the noble heroine contrived once more to raise herself upon the box. Still the Columbine sped on, and ran upon a shingly beach, And at last the Island of Lepsoe, Miss Mouat did reach, And she was kindly treated by the inhabitants in everyway that's grand, And conveyed to Aalesund and there taking steamer to fair England.

William Topaz McGonagall

On 7 February 1886 the Columbine was washed ashore on a beach at Lepsøy, near Ålesund, in Norway. When local villagers arrived on the scene they found Betty Mouat alive and well, after nine days living on a single bottle of milk and some ship's biscuits. Betty was repatriated to Edinburgh, and finally arrived in Lerwick on board the steamer St Clair in late March. She became an immediate celebrity and an appeal for public subscriptions to help her attracted a letter and a donation of £20 from Queen Victoria.

Betty Mouat lived to be 93 and on her death in 1918 was buried at Dunrossness Churchyard. The bay where she came ashore in Norway is now called Columbinebukta or "Columbine Bay": on 17 May 1986 a plaque was unveiled there commemorating the event. The croft in which Betty Mouat spent most of her life has now been extended to become Betty Mouat's Böd, a camping böd close to Sumburgh Airport.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 7.4

Holidays

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Day

Apocalypse Day

Army Day (Guatemala)

Baal Fire Day (Northumberland, UK)

Buffalo Bill Day

Bullion’s Day

Commemoration Day of the Victims of the Genocide Against the Jewish People (Latvia)

Constitution Day (Cayman Islands)

Day of Agwe (Haiti)

Dree Festival begins (Apatani people, India) [Ends 7.7]

F-Day (Alaska)

Filipino-American Friendship Day (Philippines)

Garibaldi Day (Italy)

Hillbilly Day

Invisible Day

Jumping on the Mattress Night

King Tupou VI Day (Tonga)

Koko the Gorilla Day

Kwibohora (Liberation Day; Rwanda)

Liberation Day (Northern Mariana Islands)

Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day

National Architect Day (Venezuela)

Queen Sonja Day (Norway)

Republic Day (Philippines)

Stone Skipping Tournament (Mackinac Island, Michigan)

Tom Sawyer Fence-Painting Day (Hannibal, Missouri)

Unity Day (Zambia)

Virgin Islands Day (British Virgin Islands)

White Cloud’s Birthday and Tatanka Bison Festival (North Dakota)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Honor American Beer & Cyder Day

Jackfruit Day

National Baked Beans Day

National Barbecue Day

National Barbecued Spareribs Day

National Caesar Salad Day

National Pub Opening Day

Sidewalk Egg Frying Day

First Monday in July

CARICOM Day (a.k.a. Caribbean Day) [1st Monday]

Carnival Monday (Saint Vincent and Grenadines) [1st Monday]

Independence Days

Abkhazia (from Georgia, 1993)

Philippines (from US, 1946)

United States (from UK, 1776) a.k.a. …

Barbecue Day

Boom Box Parade (Willimantic, Connecticut)

Firecracker Day

Holy Firecracker Day (in John Updike's Couples)

Independence From Meat Day

Indivisible Day

National Country Music Day

Feast Days

Alec Guinness Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Andrew of Crete (Christian; Saint)

Bertha of Artois (Christian; Saint)

Bolcan (Christian; Saint)

Catherine Jarrige (Christian; Blessed)

Day of Pax (Ancient Roman)

Elizabeth of Aragon (or of Portugal; Christian; Saint)

Finbar (Christian; Saint)

Oda of Canterbury (Christian; Saint)

Peter the Hermit (Positivist; Saint)

Pier Giorgio Frassati (Christian; Blessed)

Sisoes (a.k.a. Sisoy), Anchoret in Egypt (Christian; Saint)

Ulrich of Augsburg (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [38 of 71]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Alice in Wonderland (Novel; 1862)

America (My Country, ’Tis of Thee), by Lowell Mason and Samuel Francis Smith (Song; 1831)

Die Hard 2 (Film; 1990)

Fernwood 2 Night (TV Series; 1977)

Foo Fighters, by the Foo Fighters (Album; 1995)

Greenfields, by The Brothers Four (Song; 1959)

Hail to the Chief, performed by the U.S. Marine Band (Song; 1828)

Kylie, by Kylie Minogue (Album; 1988)

Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman (Poem; 1855)

Once Upon a Time in the West (Film; 1969)

Summer in the City, by The Lovin’ Spoonful (Song; 1966)

Tess of the d'Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy (Novel; 1891)

Tony Orlando & Dawn (TV Series; 1974)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 185 of 2022; 180 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 27 of 2022

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Héyuè), Day 6 (Ding-Wei)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 5 Tammuz 5782

Islamic: 4 Ḏū al-Ḥijjah 1443

J Cal: 5 Lux; Foursday [5 of 30]

Julian: 21 June 2022

Moon: 24% Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 17 Charlemagne (7th Month) [Peter the Hermit]

Runic Half Month: Foeh (Wealth) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 14 of 90)

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 14 of 30)

[brookston]

Holidays 7.4

Holidays

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Day

Apocalypse Day

Army Day (Guatemala)

Baal Fire Day (Northumberland, UK)

Buffalo Bill Day

Bullion’s Day

Commemoration Day of the Victims of the Genocide Against the Jewish People (Latvia)

Constitution Day (Cayman Islands)

Day of Agwe (Haiti)

Dree Festival begins (Apatani people, India) [Ends 7.7]

F-Day (Alaska)

Filipino-American Friendship Day (Philippines)

Garibaldi Day (Italy)

Hillbilly Day

Invisible Day

Jumping on the Mattress Night

King Tupou VI Day (Tonga)

Koko the Gorilla Day

Kwibohora (Liberation Day; Rwanda)

Liberation Day (Northern Mariana Islands)

Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day

National Architect Day (Venezuela)

Queen Sonja Day (Norway)

Republic Day (Philippines)

Stone Skipping Tournament (Mackinac Island, Michigan)

Tom Sawyer Fence-Painting Day (Hannibal, Missouri)

Unity Day (Zambia)

Virgin Islands Day (British Virgin Islands)

White Cloud’s Birthday and Tatanka Bison Festival (North Dakota)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Honor American Beer & Cyder Day

Jackfruit Day

National Baked Beans Day

National Barbecue Day

National Barbecued Spareribs Day

National Caesar Salad Day

National Pub Opening Day

Sidewalk Egg Frying Day

First Monday in July

CARICOM Day (a.k.a. Caribbean Day) [1st Monday]

Carnival Monday (Saint Vincent and Grenadines) [1st Monday]

Independence Days

Abkhazia (from Georgia, 1993)

Philippines (from US, 1946)

United States (from UK, 1776) a.k.a. …

Barbecue Day

Boom Box Parade (Willimantic, Connecticut)

Firecracker Day

Holy Firecracker Day (in John Updike's Couples)

Independence From Meat Day

Indivisible Day

National Country Music Day

Feast Days

Alec Guinness Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Andrew of Crete (Christian; Saint)

Bertha of Artois (Christian; Saint)

Bolcan (Christian; Saint)

Catherine Jarrige (Christian; Blessed)

Day of Pax (Ancient Roman)

Elizabeth of Aragon (or of Portugal; Christian; Saint)

Finbar (Christian; Saint)

Oda of Canterbury (Christian; Saint)

Peter the Hermit (Positivist; Saint)

Pier Giorgio Frassati (Christian; Blessed)

Sisoes (a.k.a. Sisoy), Anchoret in Egypt (Christian; Saint)

Ulrich of Augsburg (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [38 of 71]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Alice in Wonderland (Novel; 1862)

America (My Country, ’Tis of Thee), by Lowell Mason and Samuel Francis Smith (Song; 1831)

Die Hard 2 (Film; 1990)

Fernwood 2 Night (TV Series; 1977)

Foo Fighters, by the Foo Fighters (Album; 1995)

Greenfields, by The Brothers Four (Song; 1959)

Hail to the Chief, performed by the U.S. Marine Band (Song; 1828)

Kylie, by Kylie Minogue (Album; 1988)

Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman (Poem; 1855)

Once Upon a Time in the West (Film; 1969)

Summer in the City, by The Lovin’ Spoonful (Song; 1966)

Tess of the d'Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy (Novel; 1891)

Tony Orlando & Dawn (TV Series; 1974)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 185 of 2022; 180 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 27 of 2022

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Héyuè), Day 6 (Ding-Wei)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 5 Tammuz 5782

Islamic: 4 Ḏū al-Ḥijjah 1443

J Cal: 5 Lux; Foursday [5 of 30]

Julian: 21 June 2022

Moon: 24% Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 17 Charlemagne (7th Month) [Peter the Hermit]

Runic Half Month: Foeh (Wealth) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 14 of 90)

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 14 of 30)

[makerof150papermasks]

Hamlet Mariofied: Act 1 Scene 2

Bolded names refer to the Mario characters playing the roles. The character role names remain unchanged in the context of the play and its dialogue.

Mario = Hamlet

Luigi = Horatio

Yoshi = Marcellus

Captain Toad = Bernardo

Bowser = Claudius

Peach = Gertrude

Kamek = Kamek

Larry = Laertes

Wendy = Ophelia

King Boo = Voltimand 

Petey Piranha = Cornelius

Act 1, Scene 2

Elsinore. A room of state in the Castle.

[Enter Bowser, Peach, Mario, Kamek, Larry and his sister Wendy, King Boo, and Petey Piranha] Cue Castle/Fortress music for Super Mario World.

Bowser. Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death

The memory be green, and that it us befitted

To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom

To be contracted in one brow of woe,

Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature

 That we with wisest sorrow think on him

Together with remembrance of ourselves.

Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,

Th' imperial jointress to this warlike state,

Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,

 With an auspicious, and a dropping eye,

With mirth in funeral, and with dirge in marriage,

In equal scale weighing delight and dole,

Taken to wife; nor have we herein barr'd

Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone

 With this affair along. For all, our thanks.

Now follows, that you know, young Fortinbras,

Holding a weak supposal of our worth,

Or thinking by our late dear brother's death

Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,

 Colleagued with this dream of his advantage,

He hath not fail'd to pester us with message

Importing the surrender of those lands

Lost by his father, with all bands of law,

To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

 Now for ourself and for this time of meeting.

Thus much the business is: we have here writ

To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,

Who, impotent and bedrid, scarcely hears

Of this his nephew's purpose, to suppress

 His further gait herein, in that the levies,

The lists, and full proportions are all made

Out of his subject; and we here dispatch

You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand,

For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,

  Giving to you no further personal power

To business with the King, more than the scope

Of these dilated articles allow. [Gives a paper.]

Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.

Petey Piranha. [with King Boo] In that, and all things, will we show our duty.

 Bowser. We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.

[Exeunt King Boo and Petey Piranha.]

And now, Laertes, what's the news with you?

You told us of some suit. What is't, Laertes?

You cannot speak of reason to the Dane

 And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg, Laertes,

That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?

The head is not more native to the heart,

The hand more instrumental to the mouth,

Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.

 What wouldst thou have, Laertes?

Larry. My dread lord,

Your leave and favour to return to France;

From whence though willingly I came to Denmark

To show my duty in your coronation,

 Yet now I must confess, that duty done,

My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France

And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

Bowser. Have you your father's leave? What says Polonius?

Kamek. He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave

 By laboursome petition, and at last

Upon his will I seal'd my hard consent.

I do beseech you give him leave to go.

Bowser. Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine,

And thy best graces spend it at thy will!

 But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son-

Mario. [aside] A little more than kin, and less than kind!

Bowser. How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

Mario. Not so, my lord. I am too much i' th' sun.

Peach. Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted colour off,

 And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.

Do not for ever with thy vailed lids

Seek for thy noble father in the dust.

Thou know'st 'tis common. All that lives must die,

Passing through nature to eternity.

 Mario. Ay, madam, it is common.

Peach. If it be,

Why seems it so particular with thee?

Mario. Seems, madam, Nay, it is. I know not 'seems.'

'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,

 Nor customary suits of solemn black,

Nor windy suspiration of forc'd breath,

No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,

Nor the dejected havior of the visage,

Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,

 'That can denote me truly. These indeed seem,

For they are actions that a man might play;

But I have that within which passeth show-

These but the trappings and the suits of woe.

Bowser. 'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,

 To give these mourning duties to your father;

But you must know, your father lost a father;

That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound

In filial obligation for some term

To do obsequious sorrow. But to persever

 In obstinate condolement is a course

Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief;

It shows a will most incorrect to heaven,

A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,

An understanding simple and unschool'd;

 For what we know must be, and is as common

As any the most vulgar thing to sense,

Why should we in our peevish opposition

Take it to heart? Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven,

A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,

 To reason most absurd, whose common theme

Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried,

From the first corse till he that died to-day,

'This must be so.' We pray you throw to earth

This unprevailing woe, and think of us

 As of a father; for let the world take note

You are the most immediate to our throne,

And with no less nobility of love

Than that which dearest father bears his son

Do I impart toward you. For your intent

 In going back to school in Wittenberg,

It is most retrograde to our desire;

And we beseech you, bend you to remain

Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,

Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son.

 Peach. Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet.

I pray thee stay with us, go not to Wittenberg.

Mario. I shall in all my best obey you, madam.

Bowser. Why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply.

Be as ourself in Denmark. Madam, come.

 This gentle and unforc'd accord of Hamlet

Sits smiling to my heart; in grace whereof,

No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day

But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,

And the King's rouse the heaven shall bruit again,

 Respeaking earthly thunder. Come away.

Flourish. Exeunt all but Mario. Prompt Underground Music from Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins

Mario. O that this too too solid flesh would melt,

Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!

Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd

 His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God!

How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable

Seem to me all the uses of this world!

Fie on't! ah, fie! 'Tis an unweeded garden

That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature

 Possess it merely. That it should come to this!

But two months dead! Nay, not so much, not two.

So excellent a king, that was to this

Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother

That he might not beteem the winds of heaven

 Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!

Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him

As if increase of appetite had grown

By what it fed on; and yet, within a month-

Let me not think on't! Frailty, thy name is woman!-

 A little month, or ere those shoes were old

With which she followed my poor father's body

Like Niobe, all tears- why she, even she

(O God! a beast that wants discourse of reason

Would have mourn'd longer) married with my uncle;

  My father's brother, but no more like my father

Than I to Hercules. Within a month,

Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,

She married. O, most wicked speed, to post

 With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!

It is not, nor it cannot come to good.

But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue!

Enter Luigi, Yoshi, and Captain Toad. Cue Overworld Music from Super Mario Bros 2

Luigi. Hail to your lordship!

 Mario. I am glad to see you well.

Horatio!- or I do forget myself.

Luigi. The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

Mario. Sir, my good friend- I'll change that name with you.

And what make you from Wittenberg, Horatio?

 Marcellus?

Yoshi. My good lord!

Mario. I am very glad to see you.- [To Toad] Good even, sir.-

But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg?

Luigi. A truant disposition, good my lord. 

Mario. I would not hear your enemy say so,

Nor shall you do my ear that violence

To make it truster of your own report

Against yourself. I know you are no truant.

But what is your affair in Elsinore?

We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

Luigi. My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.

Mario. I prithee do not mock me, fellow student.

I think it was to see my mother's wedding.

Luigi. Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.

 Mario. Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral bak'd meats

Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.

Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven

Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio!

My father- methinks I see my father.

Luigi. O, where, my lord?

Mario. In my mind's eye, Horatio.

Luigi. I saw him once. He was a goodly king.

Mario. He was a man, take him for all in all.

I shall not look upon his like again.

 Luigi. My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

Mario. Saw? who?

Luigi. My lord, the King your father.

Mario. The King my father?

Luigi. Season your admiration for a while

 With an attent ear, till I may deliver

Upon the witness of these gentlemen,

This marvel to you.

Mario. For God's love let me hear!

Luigi. Two nights together had these gentlemen

(Marcellus and Bernardo) on their watch

In the dead vast and middle of the night

Been thus encount'red. A figure like your father,

Armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe,

Appears before them and with solemn march

 Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walk'd

By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes,

Within his truncheon's length; whilst they distill'd

Almost to jelly with the act of fear,

Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me

 In dreadful secrecy impart they did,

And I with them the third night kept the watch;

Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time,

Form of the thing, each word made true and good,

The apparition comes. I knew your father.

 These hands are not more like.

Mario. But where was this?

Yoshi. My lord, upon the platform where we watch'd.

Mario. Did you not speak to it?

Luigi. My lord, I did;

 But answer made it none. Yet once methought

It lifted up it head and did address

Itself to motion, like as it would speak;

But even then the morning cock crew loud,

And at the sound it shrunk in haste away

 And vanish'd from our sight.

Mario. 'Tis very strange.

Luigi. As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true;

And we did think it writ down in our duty

To let you know of it.

 Mario. Indeed, indeed, sirs. But this troubles me.

Hold you the watch to-night?

Yoshi. [with Toad] We do, my lord.

Mario. Arm'd, say you?

Yoshi. [with Captain Toad] Arm'd, my lord.

Mario. From top to toe?

Yoshi. [with Toad] My lord, from head to foot.

Mario. Then saw you not his face?

Luigi. O, yes, my lord! He wore his beaver up.

Mario. What, look'd he frowningly.

 Luigi. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.

Mario. Pale or red?

Luigi. Nay, very pale.

Mario. And fix'd his eyes upon you?

Luigi. Most constantly.

 Mario. I would I had been there.

Luigi. It would have much amaz'd you.

Mario. Very like, very like. Stay'd it long?

Luigi. While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

Yoshi. [with Captain Toad] Longer, longer.

 Luigi. Not when I saw't.

Mario. His beard was grizzled- no?

Luigi. It was, as I have seen it in his life,

A sable silver'd.

Mario. I will watch to-night.

 Perchance 'twill walk again.

Luigi. I warr'nt it will.

Mario. If it assume my noble father's person,

I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape

And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,

 If you have hitherto conceal'd this sight,

Let it be tenable in your silence still;

And whatsoever else shall hap to-night,

Give it an understanding but no tongue.

I will requite your loves. So, fare you well.

 Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve,

I'll visit you.

All. Our duty to your honour.

Mario. Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell.

[Exeunt all but Mario.]

 My father's spirit- in arms? All is not well.

I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come!

Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,

Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes.

Exit.

[shemakesmusic-uk]

This segment features artists who have submitted their tracks/videos to She Makes Music. If you would like to be featured here then please send an e-mail to shemakesmusic@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alys Crisp

Alys Crisp is a 25 year old Welsh producer, singer and songwriter that hails from the Northern region of Wales. She devotes her time to creating songs with unique sounds and unpredictable rhythms, stringing the song together with catchy vocals and introspective, very personal lyrics. All this, with her dry sense of humour and fiery hair, has given her a very unique image and sound that she is proud to call her own. Her latest single is ‘Intentions’ which she says is “a song that’s basically about reminiscing about our childhoods and how we all long to achieve that purity and innocence we had when we grow up into adulthood. This, as we know is impossible. But the song is really just a plea to the universe to achieve that childlike mindset again. And how introspection, spiritual growth and honesty is the way to achieve anything close to that.” Listen below.

Alys Crisp · Intentions

Seyblu

Weaving dreamy jazz chords with intimate songwriting and whimsical vocals, Seyblu is creating a fresh shimmering R&B sound of her own. ‘Feel It Too’ is the first single from her upcoming EP, Silk Sessions. She says: “Based on a romantic evening with my partner, where he put on a beautiful song, lit some candles, and slow-danced with me in my little Queen West apartment in Toronto. This jazz-inspired track holds a very special place in my heart, in dedication to my former audience at Poetry Jazz Cafe in Kensington Market. Recorded at a cabin in the woods with producer SLWJMZ (Saukrates, Clear Mortifee, Boy Pape), we used the birds and insects as a soundscape on both sunny and rainy days. Summer is my season, breathing the universe in and out, living in the heat and flowy fabrics. The music is meant to feel as smooth as a silk scarf around you. Sometimes the people we fall for can surprise us. I hope this song acts as a down duvet for the next time you fall for an unlikely lover.” Listen below.

seyblu · Feel It Too

IVIE

Oslo-based singer-songwriter IVIE released her latest single ‘Nothing For You’ earlier this month and it is an anthem for the #MeToo movement. With hard-hitting beats, sultry vocals and a strong focus on women empowerment ‘Nothing For You’ is sure to resonate well with a female audience. IVIE has previously received good reviews in Norway and abroad for her own music that bears more of a minimalist R&B sound where the vocals are in focus. Now she’s once again ready to release songs that she's been working on in recent years while getting a bachelor's degree in performing arts. About the single ‘Nothing For You’, IVIE says: “It has the intention of being a me too-anthem. I felt inspired to write this song in the late 2017, when finally abuse of power and sexual harassment of women in the workplace had to face more severe consequences. I needed to express my feelings and thoughts towards the injustice. I hope the song can help empower women and contribute to the celebration of, the still very important International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.” Listen below.

IVIE · Nothing For You

Loretta Querceto

Loretta Querceto is a Berklee student making cynical love songs for the every day nihilist. She is an Independent musician currently working from her in home studio based out of providence Rhode Island and produces, sings, plays guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard. She recently released her new single ‘Eternal Sun’. Sun is the essence of human existence. Without it, we are nothing. To Loretta, "’Eternal Sun’ means an infinite presence that will carry me throughout this life. My new song is an affirmation to myself stating that I am self sufficient. I have reached a place in my life where I can confidently say that I have developed a love within myself that can carry me throughout the rest of my life. I was in a very dark place for the duration of my adolescent and adult life. Now I know that in this moment, I am out of that place and entering a new chapter. I self-produced and recorded ‘Eternal Sun.’ That experience taught me a lot about myself both as a person and a producer. I like to think of ‘Eternal Sun’ as a letter to myself. As I was writing it, I realized it was a memoir on self growth and development. Realizing that I was finally in a place of independence is reflected in both the song's lyrics and production.” Listen below.

Loretta Querceto · Eternal Sun

Breathe

Breathe are an energetic, experimental and mostly acoustic band based in Surrey, playing all original music. Formed 'accidentally' in May 2019, they weave a range of influences into their songwriting, from hyper-indie folk to rock and world music, but always with their own unique melodic twist. Breathe have released their first single for 2021 – ‘Seeing Things’. Rather appropriately, as we count down the days to emerging from lockdown, it’s a song about finding the sunshine again after being released from oppressive clutches. Originally recorded as a more stripped back track on the band’s first EP, this version brings in a rocking full band sound, with driving bass and drums, Celtic cello and a myriad of vocal harmonies. ‘Seeing Things’ will be the first featured track off Breathe’s forthcoming album #tagmeinnit, to be released later this year. Listen below.

Breathe Band · SEEING THINGS - Breathe Band

INCONNIA

Inconnia is a determined independent DIY music artist making Alt-Pop music. It is hauntingly folky and endlessly experimental pop. Her music highlights mental health, in particular raising awareness about OCD and relationship PTSD. She says, “I feel it is imperative to bring support and understanding to (including myself) those who have been through are currently living with these conditions as it can be incredibly lonely and misunderstood, as well as to raise general awareness amongst those who don't to help reduce stigma.” Her debut single, ‘Slow Down’ is out now. “It is about mindfulness: allowing space to exist between thoughts, and my journey towards understanding the beginnings of how to slow down a racing mind.” Listen below.