Blog Post #14: Claudius Blog Post #2

In Billy Ray’s Breach, newly hired FBI agent Eric O’Neill is tasked with assisting his boss, Robert Hanssen, in working new cases for the American government. O’Neill is initially told to go undercover and spy on Hasnssen for evidence that the FBI could use to convict him as a “sexual deviant” (Ray). What O’Neill doesn’t know in the beginning is that agent Hanssen is a Russian spy, the greatest Russian spy to breach American security in history. Because of Hanssen’s traitorous actions, billions of dollars and numerous lives have been lost by the US. The more time the two agents spend together however, the more O’Neill becomes convinced that Hanssen is the perfect man, impenetrable in all his areas of life: “faith, family, country” (Ray). From Hanssen’s point of view, his attitude and behavior are entirely acts of deception, techniques that he has developed in order to prevent himself from being caught for espionage his entire career. Eventually, O’Neill is faced with deciding who to side with, between Hanssen and the FBI, a choice that ultimately determines the outcome of this undercover pursuit.

My thoughts:

Woah, a spy spying on another spy. Talk about extreme mistrust. I guess the same can be said about Denmark lately. To keep up with my hormonal and sometimes crazy nephew (who I consider now to be my son) Hamlet, I have assigned two of my highest-regarded servants, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on “Hamlet’s transformations” (2.2.5). They were “brought up with him” so Hamlet should be willing to open his mouth a little more for them than he has for me (2.2.11). I must find out what “afflicts him thus” so I can properly take care of his needs, which he chooses to hide from me still (2.2.17). Hamlet still has not fully taken in the change in power and the recent marriage; it all happened so fast, and to a certain extent, I cannot blame him for his understandable shock. But what else is on his mind? His father’s death? I refuse to believe that that is the only thing; he should be over that by now.

I cannot help but think constantly, “What if he’s smarter than I am?”(Bay). Hamlet probably knows spies will be coming his way. In fact, I have just received a report that Guildenstern and Rosencrantz were not crafty enough in spying on Hamlet; they could not make it appear as if they were saw Hamlet out of their “own inclining” as a “free visitation” (2.2.256). To report his exact words, “I know the good king and queen have sent for you” (2.2.261).

What will Hamlet think of me now? Honestly, “it doesn't really matter; the judgment of other men…” (Bay). I am spying on him so I can HELP him; there’s no shame in that.

If you look at O’Neill, he needed a very long time to pick up any useful information about the Russian spy. I have the same faith in my own spies that time will bring success; even though Hamlet may have foiled my undercover attempt, they will no doubt still be able to fish out the reasons why Hamlet is still so depressed. In suggesting this, “One might propose that I am either insanely brave or quite insane. I'd answer neither. I'd say, insanely loyal” (Bay). The blood in this family runs deep, and if espionage is what it takes to heal the wounds of the past, then so be it.

Hansenn, although evil in his intentions, was very religious in all situations. I admire his faith and unceasing devotion to God; whether it was genuine or not is not for me to judge. So, in honor of Hansenn’s valiant espionage endeavors, I have one fitting request of you today: “Pray for me” (Ray). Pray for Hamlet. Pray for the entire state of Denmark.