The Namesake!

 




If you couldn't tell by the blog's name, I am a big fan of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Really, it's a play that's got everything. Ghosts, Incest, Plays within Plays, bloodbaths, and wordplay galore. What more could you ask for?! I have been a huge fan of it since performing in a comedic adaptation in high school, and the love has only grown. That's why last weekend't trip to Helsinor in northern Denmark to visit Kronborg Castle was such an amazing time.

For the uninitiated, Kronborg is a Renaissance-era castle strategically positioned at Oresund, the narrowest point between Denmark and Sweden. Originally, it was built as a place for Denmark's king and his men to collect dues from each boat passing through the sound. Over the centuries, however, the castle has been used as a royal residence and more recently a place for literary inspiration. Open for touring, visitors can go into the chapel, royal apartments, garrison, and cannon tower. All of which I found beautiful and worthy of geeking out about!

It is a popular tourist attraction just not for its age, but also for its status as Shakespeare's inspiration for Hamlet which, itself is also a derivitave of an old Danish myth of a prince driven to madness and revenge over the antics of his court. Since I know the play so well, it was wonderful seeing the many nooks and crannies that play such integral parts to the action of the show. For movie and stage buffs, the castle also includes an exhibition on some of the most famous individuals to stage the show at the castle. I mean, Kenneth Branagh AND Peter O'Toole?! Leapin' Lizards, Batman...

But, that's not all. Since it is one of the oldest castles in Northern Europe (an outer wall is still standing from 1420!), there is plenty of attention paid to the historical significance of the sound dues which, at one point, accounted for much of the wealth of the Danish kingdom. One of the coolest historical exhibits is actually one of the hardest to see. As many world traveling ships would pass through the sound carrying an array of goods and currencies, the kingdom began accepting in-kind payments rather than just gold. These luxury items furnished castles, of course. But, the surplus was stored in a labyrinth of underground rooms and chambers. Nowadays, these are open for the public to explore. Expect a not insignificant drop in temperature as you enter the pitch black maze. Don't forget your flashlight, or else you may miss one of the tastefully placed arrows.

In the labyrinth, there is another major nod to Danish lore. Legend has it that Holger the Dane was once a Danish king in the era of King Arthur. One day, Morgan le Fay sought his help to defeat the French. He was successful and returned to Kronborg. Here he is said to be resting until Denmark needs him again. To commemorate the hero, there is a massive and well lit statue of the sleeping king in the center of the maze.