Blog #22: Hamlet Act 2 Social Media Post

"They all deserve to die," as Sweeney Todd would put it. No, I do not believe they all deserve to die, but Claudius, yes. Assuming he is guilty of murdering my father, the great King of Denmark, he does deserve to die. 

In Sweeney Todd, revenge is most evident throughout the entire course of the film. Barber Benjamin Barker, happily married to his wife Lucy and father to a beautiful baby girl, Johanna, takes a turn for the worst. Sadistic Judge Turpin, the town's mayor exiles Barker to Australia for fifteen years for a crime he did not commit, as he lusts for Barker's wife and wants her all to himself. He drugs and rapes Lucy who attempts to poison herself, instead going insane, and Turpin then lusts for his now adopted daughter, Johanna. Fifteen years later, Barker returns disguised with the alias Sweeney Todd to get revenge on Turpin as well as anyone and everyone who made him miserable or gets in his way. Let's just say beware of Todd's barber shop and anyone who comes near him with his tools. 

Oh! "I. the son of a dear father murdered, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words," (2.2.611-616). I am envious of Sweeney Todd, as he carries out his revenge so effortlessly. Although some differences exist between our plans, I find it somewhat uncanny, yet also interesting that we both put on some type of act. Sweeney Todd disguises himself and creates an alias so no one will suspect it's really Mr. Barker, similar to how I, " I bear myself

As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on,"(1.5.190-192). We both act as though something or someone we are not to help us reach our motives. Honestly we have more in common as both of us are victims of unfair and lustful events. Sweeney Todd desires revenge on Judge Turpin for lusting after his wife and exiling him as well as the incestuous lust towards his adopted daughter, whereas I seek revenge on Claudius for murdering my father as well as his incestuous lust for my mother. I feel as though I cannot be as brave as Todd, for I do not desire to kill Claudius if he is in fact not guilty. "The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king," (2.2627-634). I plan to use this as a way to deceive Claudius by tricking him to watch an on stage murder, and "I'll have those players Play something like the death of my father Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks," (2.2.617-634). I plan to trick him and spy on his reactions during the play, as, "I am but mad northwest: when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw," (2.2.402-403). In other words, I know Claudius has sent my own friends to spy on me. So, will I take after Sweeney Todd? I say the theater will tell all. Let the show begin.