To Ask or Not To Ask: An Interview with Hamlet
3 – minute read
FGCU360 had an opportunity to interview the main character of “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare through the voice of Barry Cavin, director of the upcoming TheatreLab production.
Setting: The office of theatre professor Barry Cavin at Florida Gulf Coast University.
At rise: Laurie Babcock, a staff writer with University Marketing and Communications, has just arrived to interview Hamlet, who will be starring in a student production about his life April 14-23.
LAURIE
Hamlet, thanks for meeting with me to answer a few questions.
HAMLET
To be or not to be, that is the question.
LAURIE
That’s not one I planned to ask. But Marcellus, one of the guards, wants to know: what is rotten in the state of Denmark?
HAMLET
Say this in reply, one may smile and smile and be a villain. Here lies your rot and its source.
LAURIE
Yeah, sure, I can pass that along.
There are reports of a ghost haunting Elsinore. Have you seen anything paranormal?
HAMLET
When first I saw it, I was unsure if it were healthy spirit or goblin damned, my friend thought it would draw me to madness, but yes, and it was my father’s spirit, doomed for a certain term to walk the night.
LAURIE
I leave campus at 5 o’clock, so I’m unlikely to run into him, but that’s sort of terrifying for our residential students.
You don’t seem too spooked by the ghost, so what is your greatest fear?
HAMLET
To grunt and sweat under a weary life.
LAURIE
That HIIT group fitness class at the University Recreation & Wellness Center is intense. Maybe switch it up and take a yoga class next time.
A lot of college students are concerned with preparing for job interviews, so let me help you practice: What are your strengths?
HAMLET
I have a whirlwind of passion for the stage.
LAURIE
Mmkay. Not super relevant to jobs outside of the theater, but passion is cool.
What are your weaknesses?
HAMLET
Weakness? Perhaps I think too much. I am a coward… I am pigeon livered, and I lack gall.
LAURIE
Wow, please don’t say any of that during a job interview. You really need to make an appointment at Career Development Services, and get some guidance on better answers.
Let’s talk about your friends. How would you describe Horatio?
HAMLET
True friend.
LAURIE
Short and sweet answer, OK.
How would you describe Ophelia? And feel free to use a few more words.
HAMLET
I did love her once.
LAURIE
Once?! Are you breaking up with your girlfriend in this interview? That is cold.
Moving on… We’ve heard rumors your uncle denied your initial request to return to school. If he lets you, what campus resources could help you balance your studies and home responsibilities?
HAMLET
I love my books; a good library is to be treasured above any dukedom.
LAURIE
I totally agree. The Wilson G. Bradshaw Library is amazing. The Center for Academic Achievement is there and they have tutors to help you stay on top of your classes.
Do you have any last words of advice for FGCU students?
HAMLET
Let those that play your clowns speak no more than is set down for them. There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. And there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy.
“Hamlet” can be seen April 14-23 at TheatreLab in the Arts Complex at FGCU. Special thanks to Barry Cavin for playing the Bard and speaking on behalf of Hamlet.