Harlaxton Day 4: Class, Free Time, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Today, we arose bright and early after a full day of travel and exploration yesterday. We acquired breakfast in a packed cafeteria with other students as we anticipated our second quiz. At the conclusion of our quiz, we reviewed the significance of William Shakespeare and dove into our analysis of Hamlet. We covered the Humors Theory, Revenge Tragedies, and answered the question “Is Hamlet a Tragic Hero?”

After our three hour class period, we were given the afternoon to explore the city of London. All 49 of us developed plans and dispersed across the city. My friends and I decided to tour the Science Museum and the National History Museum. We were able to experience scientific artifacts such as pieces of the Moon, old European automobiles, and an iron lung from 1953. We were also able to marvel at various gemstones and dinosaur skeletons. It was an incredible way to immerse ourselves in British culture and become acquainted with their nation’s STEM information and storied history.

After a meal at a local café, we were on our way to view Hamlet at the iconic Globe Theatre. After riding the tube, we walked across the Millennium Bridge over the River Thames. We were going to be viewing the play as groundlings for the night. After receiving our tickets, we anxiously waited in line and rushed to claim positions next to the stage once the doors opened. The play was spectacular and maintained the literary aspects that we had discussed in class earlier that day. It was a unique experience to see the play that we had read over the past month and had analyzed during class come to life. This transformed this performance of a Shakespearean play into a real-life learning experience. After the conclusion of the play at 10:30, we rushed to the tube station with tired legs. It was a busy day filled with a new world of adventures that 49 Gatton Academy students were able to discover.

Devin