The Hamlet Project

I see Laertes like a preacher in the pulpit here –
Suggesting the congregation start to tremble at the suggestion of hell.
Somehow someone suggesting one should be afraid
Always has a shading of religiosity
Because fear doesn’t usually need to be prompted.
Fear comes unbidden
Unconsidered, illogical.The way the screams just fell out of me
Everytime the mouse ran out from under my couch
No matter how many times I told myself I wouldn’t.
It’s only the unseen, intangible we need to be taught
To be afraid of –
And this rhythm, this cadence
Has the rhythm
Of those teachings.
It’s no wonder Ophelia
Compares him to a pastor
In the subsequent lines.