Rotten in Denmark

WRITTEN BRETT A. STARR By

APRIL 11, 2022

Have you ever heard the phrase, “There is something rotten in Denmark?” I have heard it on certain days

Few may know the origin of the remark

The meaning in hearing this thought Is seldom misunderstood

It’s when things seem a bit odd An evil plot seems afoot

Near 1600 William Shakespeare Created a mighty play About a King of Denmark Who was murdered and betrayed

The King was Hamlet’s father Hamlet’s uncle -- the successor Claudius, was an evil man A power greedy aggressor

Hamlet sees his father’s ghost Who beckons his attention Horatio and Marcellus Plead for Hamlet’s abstention

The famous phrase in question

Is not fully “in-the-park”

The phrase begins, “There is something rotten In the State of Denmark.”

This refers to Claudius’s rule And the corruption that would seem To come to surface as time went on Revealing a rotten scheme

Alas, the next line is left behind Important and neglected

A picture of faith, that truth will come out “Heaven will direct it!”

Footnote: Here’s another one of those phrases many use, but don’t question the origin. Did you know that it came from Hamlet, one of the best works from William Shakespeare over 400 years ago? Do you know of anything rotten going on now? Reference the website: https://www.patrickkphillips.com/grammar/the-storybehind-the-phrase-something-rotten-in-denmark/

The Pilot News is seeking local poets to submit their own poem for publication in the newspaper. We will be printing them throughout the month of April as they are submitted.

Submissions are subject to editorial approval. Please limit all poems to less than 500 words. Vulgar content/ language will not be accepted. Send all submissions to jmaster@thepilotnews.com.

If you’re interested in ways to celebrate other than writing a poem, head to www.poets.org for further details.