Sunday, September 15, 2013

186 Quiz Answer

Ophelia, in the play “Hamlet,” by Shakespeare, is a young noblewoman of Denmark, potentially the wife of Prince Hamlet.  After she learns of her father’s death, she appears wildly before the King and Queen, who realize that she has gone mad.

(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "J" is for "Journalism")
I suppose you’re aware of the state of journalism these days.

Fact is, the situation of newspapers in our time is pretty bad: the number of papers that have gone through bankruptcy and closure keeps rising.

I chose this rather desperate era to spend four years getting a Journalism degree, planning on having a prestigious career with a handsome salary.  After graduation, I spent roughly another four years trying to find a job.

I came to realize that my father’s suggestion – that I go into veterinary dentistry – may not have been so wildly insane as I had originally thought.

I finally landed a position with a small newspaper in northern North Dakota.  It was a freebie - no charge for the paper, they gave it away in grocery stores. 

I became the sports editor.  No matter how much you love sports, no matter how easygoing you are, sitting in open stands covering high-school teams in temperatures that ranged from “moderate” - four below - to “chilly” - twenty below - made you start thinking how nice and warm the conditions seemed to be for employees over at Wendy’s.

But enough of those problems.  Things changed.  The big news is that there was a contest held for the state’s Journalist of the Year.  I’m pleased to report that I won.  They wanted someone to represent northern North Dakota and I was evidently one of the few journalists there who wasn’t frozen solid.

But seriously, this was a big deal.  I didn’t get much in the way of currency but as the winner I was sent to our nation’s capital, which as I understand it is in Washington, D C.  I know you’ll find this difficult to believe but I wound up covering a press conference in the famous Oval Office.

The Prez and the Veep were discussing something important and I was busy taking notes so that it would look like I understood what they were talking about.  Then the most incredible thing happened.

The beautiful daughter of one of our most important political leaders came bursting into the room.  She, of course, is known throughout our land.  She is always held up as a model for today’s youth: quiet, dignified, proper.

But on this occasion she was raving – she seemed to be what I believe is known as “of unsound mind.”  She was disheveled; you might almost say bedraggled.  And she proceeded to sing some very raunchy songs, highly inappropriate in such a setting.

Well, it was all hushed up, which is why you probably never heard of it.

 The above is all foolishness.  But as for the weekly Berownial quiz, there’s something in it that might remind you of a Shakespeare play.

Which play?

(Also submitted to Sunday Scribblings.)

31 comments:

Little Nell said...

I can only think of the tragic Ophelia who loses her mind when Hamlet uses her and discards her.

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Hamlet?
Anna :o]

Jae Rose said...

Now I was hoping it would be a film..something gentle to ease me back in but Shakespeare..darn it..you're just too good at this! ;)

Altonian said...

I failed miserably last week. Justifiably, I think, because strange as it may seem I had never seen, or even heard of Life of Pi. However, I have heard of Ophelia and her 'mad scene', and so will say you are referring to Hamlet. ??? Yeah!

Berowne said...

Thanks, Jae R, for the unexpected compliment - gratefully received. :-)

Berowne said...

Altonian, hyperCRYPTICal and Litle Nell have started us off with the correct answer.

Tigerbrite said...

Mid summer night's dream ?

Doctor FTSE said...

Ophelia going bonkers in "Hamlet"?

New York Erratic said...

Hamlet, and the journalist is Horatio, I think.

Tess Kincaid said...

Hamlet? I'm thinking Ophelia...but does the rest of the story fit?

Berowne said...

Doc FTSE, New York Erratic and our own Tess Kincaid have all provided us with the right answer.

Lydia said...

Oh dear Berowne, you know by now I come here to learn about Shakespeare, so I have no clue. But she sounds a bit like Miley Cyrus, apart from the fact that noted sexpot is a far cry from being the daughter of one of our most important political leaders; however, she once was indeed held up as a model for today's youth!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

So many things get hushed up IRL that it wouldn't surprise me a bit if some version of this did happen!

Old Egg said...

You are a master of obscurantism so I am going to hazard as guess at "All's well that ends well" in the hope it is for me.

Silent Otto said...

Never look a gift horse in the mouth !

Lady In Read said...

stumped once again.. I started thinking of more recent movies and when I got to the end and read 'Shakespeare',well, I am going to wait for the answer this week..:)

zanzinece said...

Alright Berowne, I'm in it for this week! Pinging off the word "daughter" spun my thoughts first to King Lear, but oh right, his daughters weren't mad, just evil (except for Cordelia), and second to Ophelia totally losing it unto death in Hamlet, and that's where the wheel of my mind stopped. Tell 'er what she's won, Bob!

steveroni said...

I just LOVED the story, Berowne! thanks!

Berowne said...

Zanzinece, another with the right answer. Who's next?

rallentanda said...

Orphelia was bonkers. Must be Hamlet.

Berowne said...

The latest to check in with the correct answer is Rallentanda - welcome!

LindyLouMac said...

Calling by from ABC Wednesday,journalism is not a career for the faint hearted.

Leslie: said...

I'm thinking King Lear, but not sure.

Leslie
abcw team

Hildred said...

Enjoyed your story, but have no answers for you this time Berowne....so sorry.

Sharp Little Pencil said...

I'm thinking Ophelia in Hamlet...

Sorry I have not been in touch; I've been a bit mad (seriously) for a couple of weeks, but back on track now! Amy

Anonymous said...

No idea this week but that is a fine tale you told!

Berowne said...

Sharp Little Pencil is back with us, I'm happy to say, and has the right answer.

21 Wits said...

I totally like how your mind traveled on this tale. Yet again, Measure for Measure, you have stumped me once again, although once you release the title we'll surely all go, oh yeah!

Jae Rose said...

Yay well done - it beat me!

World So Wide said...

Love your story about North Dakota journalism, Prez and Veep and all :)

Truedessa said...

Enjoyed the story and I always like to take the road less traveled more adventurous I guess.

 
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