When Dante meets Shakespeare

Dante, Leopardi and Hamlet

Alexis arrived at the door of her first class, feeling nervous. Director Graves told her she had to start with the youngest. The first class. All between 12 and 13 years. "Could be a little difficult" Mr Graves said. Once she entered the classroom, Alexis realized it was more that difficult. Almost 20 kids were shouting and playing. Everybody, except one. A little, blonde girl with green eyes was quietly sitting at her desk, reading a book. That image reminded Alexis of her time at school. She wasn't a problematic girl, at all. She just liked reading and writing and having long walks with her dear friend Lilly. She had never been bullied, but she felt a bit lonely in her classroom. Only Lilly could understand whether she felt ok or not. "Ah, Lilly, how much I miss you!" Lilly sadly died a few months before Alexis moved to London. A bad illness that brought her away from Alexis too early. She hardly went on with her life when Lilly passed away, but eventually she managed to stay alive. Now that little girl was exactly how she was at that time. A bit lonely, yes, but extremely happy with her own little world. Alexis snapped her eyes and clapped her hands in order to get the class' attention. The little blonde girl immediately stopped reading, but the rest of the group was still shouting. "Class!" she managed to say. No answer. "CLASS!" again, no sign of attention. Alexis winked at the little girl and moved to the blackboard. She put a hand on it and the girl suddenly put her hands on her ears. Alexis scratched her nails on the blackboard making a loud and awful noise. The classroom went immediately silent. "Ah, thank you for your attention, class! Now, would you mind to take your seats?" Alexis said smiling. Everybody sat, except one. A boy around 13 was still standing. He had long black hair and black, deep eyes. He raised his hand to take permission to speak. "Yes, tell me." Alexis said. "Who are you?" The boy said and the whole class laughed. Alexis too laughed a bit and said "Very good question indeed! I am Professor Alexis Harrison and will teach you Italian Literature." She said writing her name on the blackboard. She turned just in time to see the blonde girl smiling widely. "Let's start with you" Alexis pointed straight at her "What's your name dear?" The girl blushed and said "Lilly. Lilly Donovan." Alexis couldn't believe her ears "What a lovely name! My best friend's called Lilly." She said trying to get back tears. "And what's your name, young man?" Alexis said to the boy still standing. "I am Charlie. Charlie O'Neill." Then, after everyone said their name, the lesson started. Alexis said she would have started from Dante's Divine Comedy, as it is the turning point in Italian Literature and history. When the bell rang, all the kids screamed a loud "NO". Alexis laughed widely and said "Don't worry guys, we'll see tomorrow!" As everybody left the classroom, Alexis called for Lilly. "Lilly, could you please come here a moment?" "Yes, professor." Lilly said in a low voice "What were you reading this morning?" Alexis asked quietly. "Erm...I was reading Leopardi's poems, professor." Lilly blushed. "Oh, I see. Do you like him?" Alexis smiled. "A lot. Seems so like me!" Lilly said raising her gaze to Alexis. "Well then, go home and read it again. You'll love it more!" And saying that, Alexis and Lilly left the classroom together.

After her lesson, Alexis made her way to the professors' room. She passed in front of few classrooms, all with shut door, except one. From inside, she could her a deep voice saying out loud some poetry. "Sounds like...oh!" Alexis thought as she reached the door. Benedict was hanging a knife, saying some lines "To die, to sleep. To sleep – perchance to dream." Alexis smiled softly. Hamlet was her favorite tragedy by Shakespeare and Benedict was playing it perfectly. His interpretation was so intense she couldn't help but stay there and listen. Benedict ended the lines and greeted his students after they gave him the deserved standing ovation. Alexis laughed and started walking back to the professors' room. She entered the room and found Matthew sitting at the long desk, reading some papers. "How the hell could you possibly say that Marie Curie discovered relativity?" He was obviously reading at some tests. Alexis laughed loud "Seems like someone's a bit upset with his students." "More than a bit, if I should say that!" Matthew said a laughed. "So, how was your first day?" he asked. "Very good. My class is amazing!" Alexis said smiling widely. She started to explain how good they were, how happy she was but suddenly Matthew interrupted her "Ok, seems like someone's a bit overexcited here!" He said trying to imitate Alexis. She laughed loud and said "A bit, yes." "So, what do you think? Lunch?" Matthew said raising a brow. "Shouldn't we wait for Benedict? I saw him teaching and.." "Oh don't worry, he knows where we are!" Matthew said winking at her.