“Something is rotten in the State of Denmark”

“Something is rotten in the State of Denmark”

Where does the quote coming from? What the hell does it mean? In what context it’s applicable?

I first heard of this quote in Ayer Molek’s case where the Panel of Three Judges of Court of Appeal echoed the following harsh remarks:-

“The fact that the proceedings were filed in the wrong division does not render the proceedings in any way invalid but may, coupled with other considerations in the present case, give the impression to right-thinking people that litigants can choose the judge before whom they wish to appear for their case to be adjudicated upon. This, we consider, may lead to very unhealthy negative thinking and since justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, it is incumbent on the trial judge, upon perusal of the pleadings, to have taken the initiative of transferring the proceedings to the right division so as to dispel any notion that he is partial to any party. This is yet another reason for strengthening our conviction that it is right and proper that we exercise our inherent power to prevent an injustice being done by the issue of an interim injunction restraining the respondents from enjoying the fruits of the registration of the infamous shares in their names. These observations are made so that people will not say, ‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,’ — Shakespeare, Hamlet, 1.

Upon further research, I found out these words were actually uttered by Marcellus in Shakespeare’s Hamlet after the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears to Hamlet and beckons Hamlet to follow it, and Hamlet follows.

Somebody had asked me “I don’t see the link between the observations made by the Panel and the quote. Can you enlighten me please?”

After scratching my head, I asked that fellow to give me sometime. “Bro, I need two days. Aku pun tak pasti kenapa. Sekarang tengah nak baca balik cerita Hamlet ni. Waktu aku kat sekolah rendah aku memang ada baca tapi dalam versi melayu, Aku sekolah melayu bukan omputih. Bahasa omputih aku boleh dikategorikan macam-macam. Selalunya Sawaklish. Jarang-jarang Manglish. Kadang-kadang sadis. But it will never be Singlish” I said.

I was unable to get the answer for the question. So, the best thing that can be done is to avoid that poor fellow. I feel very relieve because I managed to save my reputation from being embarrassed.

Although I said that I am currently reading the masterpiece by Shakespeare, I have to admit that it is a blatant lie. An honest guy like me sometime has to change skin and to do a tactical maneuver at the right time and place. I wonder if I am still an honest guy?

But then, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. “You can find the magic potion in the Malayan Law Journal,” said Dr. Love in a very poetic way (his real identity yet to be known because of his refusal to tender his DNA).

Now I fully understood why they made those criticisms. In Dato’ V Kanagalingam’s case, it says that:-

“The Court of Appeal made it clear that it thought something funny had been going on in the High Court in that case. That was why they put in a Shakespeare quote about there being ‘something rotten in the State of Denmark’. It was a reference to the building the High Court is in, which is called Denmark House.”

Without further ado, I called that guy “I got the answer. You are not going to believe it. It meant that the fellas (Panel) do not like funny-funny thing la. They all did not watch the Final Raja Lawak 5 because they believed Wisma Denmark funnier than Man”

Whilst smiling he said this to me “Bro, something must be rotten in your head. I can smell it from here.”

I was wondering whether it is true. I am still wondering right now.

by: rbassociates 24/03/2011