Diction In Hamlet

The purpose of this report is to compare and contrast two movies made about Hamlet. I will present and discuss different aspects of the version directed by Kenneth Branagh to that of Franco Zefirelli. During this paper you will be presented with my opinions in reference to determining which version of Hamlet best reflects the original text by Shakespeare. I will end this paper with my belief and explanation of which movie is true to the original play.

Shakespeare utilizes diction throughout Hamlet’s soliloquy in order to develop a theme of self-despair while furthering his inner conflicts. As a playwright, Shakespeare’s diction is inherently critical to the state of his work, as maintaining iambic pentameter indicates emotional stability within a character. Breaks in that meter, therefore, indicate instability or a sudden change within them. Hamlet’s soliloquy, a key point in understanding the character, contains several breaks in iambic pentameter, within which he is making more emotional statements. The first break within the passage, a half line, indicates a change in Hamlet’s tone. “For Hecuba!” (9), he exclaims, proceeding to go into a discussion of what should be done, before comparing it to what he is unable to do. The contrast between his mother, Gertrude, and Hecuba, the widow of King Pram who experienced profound grief following the death of her husband is obvious, as Hamlet is distraught over how quickly the marriage between his uncle and his mother took place. Shakespeare utilized the half-line in order to indicate that not only was Hamlet about to delve into his emotions, but that it was an important comparison to be made. Furthermore, he breaks iambic pentameter again once the Hecuba comparison concludes, moving on to discuss Hamlet’s feelings of self-disgust. While the passage begins with Hamlet remarking about “what a rogue and peasant slave,” (line 1) he is, he does not discuss his inner disgust until the second half

Tony Robbins said, “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others”. Shakespeare’s writing has had many different ways of being presented because people perceive it in different ways. Whether it is a literal representation or a spin, directors like to show viewers the way they perceive the text. In the movie version of Hamlet the director, Kenneth Branagh, wanted the viewers to find Shakespeare interesting and full of action and drama. Kenneth chose the right direction to go in to keep the audience’s attention but it

I first want to dissect the 1996 movie in which Kenneth Branagh plays Hamlet. The “To be or not to be” scene is clearly one of the most important scenes of the entire movie, so the directors

As read in the play this is a soliloquy spoken by prince Hamlet trying to contemplate death and suicide because of the pain and unfairness in life. This soliloquy in the play is suppose to be dramatic when Hamlet is speaking to himself while Ophelia is over hearing it. Compared to the movie the “to be or not to be” scene is taken in a BlockBuster store. In the movie, Hamlet is walking around the store saying the soliloquy to himself softly. As you can see it wasn't as dramatic as it was expected it to

At the very beginning of Branagh's version the viewers see the words 'William Shakespeare's' in a Bold, prominent red, which stands out against the black background. I think Branagh has used red because red has connotations with blood, murder and killing, and black with death and misery. Then we see the title 'Hamlet' which all together reads 'William Shakespeare's Hamlet'. This is a clever way to introduce the play and is quite dramatic with good impact, it also suggests his version will stay very true and close to Shakespeare's true text. The camera pans from right to left across the word 'Hamlet'.

In the first act, Hamlet appears to be very straightforward in his actions and thoughts. When questioned by Gertrude about his melancholy appearance Hamlet says, Seems, madam? Nay it is know not seems (I, ii, 76). This is to say, I am what I appear to be. Later he makes a clear statement about his thoughts of mind when he commits himself to revenge. Hamlet says, I ll wipe away all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past, That youth and observation copied there, And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain (I, iv, 99-103). With this statement, the play makes a transition. Hamlet gives up the role of a student and mourning son, and commits himself to nothing else

Shakespeare’s choice of words and diction depicts images in the minds of people reading his plays. It is also what makes his writings well-known as they are still being read today. In Act 3 Scene 2 of Hamlet, Hamlet is speaking with Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, and the diction helps me decide how I am acting out my lines in the scene. The tone in the scene is distrust from Hamlet displayed by Shakespeare’s decision to make Hamlet keep saying the word sir to his friends which is considered unusual. I put emphasis on the word, sir, every time I say it in Hamlet’s lines.

The "To Be or Not To Be" speech in the play, "Hamlet," portrays Hamlet as a very confused man. He is very unsure of himself and his thoughts often waver between two extremes due to his relatively strange personality. In the monologue, he contemplates whether or not he should continue or end his own life. He also considers seeking revenge for his father’s death. Evidence of his uncertainty and over thinking is not only shown in this speech, but it also can be referenced in other important parts of the play.

Hamlet is a play full of trials and tribulations. Throughout the play the use of soliloquies is extensive for they allow the audience a look into the mind of a character without ruining a plot. The three productions; This is Hamlet, Oliver in the 1948 film adaptation, and Gibson in the 1990 film adaptation all provide their own aspect on the soliloquy while still sharing some common themes in the `now might I do it pat` soliloquy. Through the voice and tone, atmosphere, and body language, the delivery of this soliloquy is proven effective in all productions. Hamlet is a character that requires the utmost flare, and his voice is one to need the allowance of much dramatization.

The Hamlet play by William Shakespeare, the “To Be or Not To Be” speech is a very famous soliloquy in English Literature. This piece refers to the theme of the afterlife, it also provides Hamlet’s continued reflecting contemplation between his ambiguous personalities. Throughout the speech Hamlet contemplated the thought of offing himself right then and there. This is shown by his depressed sequestered tone and his distressed actions with the dagger that successfully programs the audience to truly see what hides under Hamlet’s previous actions in the play. The Hamlet film by Olivier is most true to the original text because of the creative music choice, the actor’s actions and movements shown in the setting, and

Throughout the whole play, Hamlet is extremely deeply emotional when it comes to everything he says. Everything has some sort of intense impact with every word that he would speak. To convey this the soliloquy, “'Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn, and hell

The play Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most psychological plays. There is a lot that goes into understanding the characters and the reasoning for their actions. The soliloquies in Hamlet are crucial to understanding the meaning of this play. There are so many soliloquies that once you can decipher what they are saying, you can find the deeper meaning and reason for the play. Hamlet is depressed throughout the whole play, always dressed in black, sulking around the castle. He is mourning the death of his father. “That Shakespeare was profoundly influenced by such a play in the structural part of Hamlet there can be no doubt, and modern students find the explanation of many difficulties, inconsistencies, and discrepancies.” (Carroll) The most popular soliloquy in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, maybe even the most

Hamlet by William Shakespeare is one play that has intrigued people for over four hundred years. There have been as many productions as there have been days since the original play 1596-1603. Each production has been different from the next one, no matter where performed or by whom. One film reproduction of Hamlet released in the year 2000, was directed by and stared Etahan Hawke as Hamlet and Julia Styles as Ophelia. This essay will refer to this film as Hamlet 2000 and the original play as Hamlet or text. To compare the text to the film Hamlet 2000 will be divided into three groups, language, setting / plot line and lastly the characters. All though the speech is taken only from the text, the film Hamlet 2000 is vastly different,

The most significant thing to note about Hamlet’s "To Be Or Not To Be” speech in the film is that it comes earlier (right after line 182 in Act 2 Scene 2 to be precise). Moving the speech was a great idea for two reasons. First, this speech is one of the most anticipated aspects of the play given its immense popularity. More importantly, however, it introduces Hamlet’s complexity