Hamlet And The Movie 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.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a story about a king that was murdered by his brother and the prince has been asked by his father?s ghost to avenge his murder. The original story line has been altered a few times since it has been written. The original Hamlet the play and the altered Hamlet the movie are shown differently in many different ways. Hamlet the movie with Mel Gibson shows different things than the play, but there are three major differences between the two. The three major differences are in the way both of the productions start out, differences in the scene that the players put on a play, and differences in the way the productions end.

The use of security cameras throughout the film really helps to capture a sense of corruption, and also foreshadows the fact that something bad will happen within the kingdom. The Tennant version also alters the time period in which the story takes place by having it set in modern day times. This can be seen through costume choice, scenery, armory, and dialog between characters. Using this helps viewers to better connect and understand the storyline, since characters are in a setting that is more current. Tennant portrays Hamlet as truly mad, angry, and vengeful. His timing and delivery of lines gives watchers an excellent insight into the manic characterization of Hamlet, that shakespeare intended on. Hamlet’s insanity can be seen through his many outburst, body language, and pauses. The emotional state of Hamlet is delivered with the use of mirrors and cinematic zooming. This provides dramatic and emotional effect, since it seems as though Hamlet is speaking directly to the audience while also looking into himself for answers. Shakespeare's vision for Hamlet is truly captured in this film through cinematic angling and intense acting.

Quintessentially speaking, revenge is a thing that many have sought in response to a tragic event unfolding. Typically, as a result, vengeance is contemplated upon by the victim as a means of retribution, a way of making things right and seeking justice on the behest of the victim, if the law will not grant justice through due process due to corrupt forces stemmed deep within it- corrupt seeds of a corrupt plant. Therefore, revenge become an apparent option for those willing to walk that path [of no return]. However, instances of revenge not being attained in the “clear cut” way it is ordinarily acquired have occurred from time to time throughout history. One of the most prominent examples of unconventional revenge attainment can be found within the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, entailing the revenge path walked by its eponymously named main character, Prince Hamlet. Specifically, his intentful delay in attaining his revenge against his uncle Claudius for his direct role in the death of his father, King Hamlet. This literary conundrum has dumbfounded literary critics for over 400 years and counting- due to the fact that a universally accepted consensus amongst them as well as the general public as to why Hamlet delayed his revenge has not yet been reached.

William Shakespeare once said that “brevity is the soul of wit.” This is heavily evident in regards to Hamlet and all of his short, witty comments throughout the play. In Act I Scene II Hamlet 's wit comes out in full force during a discussion with his mother, Gertrude, and his uncle/stepfather, Claudius, with Hamlet’s very first words in the play:

Kenneth Branagh successfully adapts Shakespeare’s Hamlet into a modern film. His version of the tragedy allows enthusiasts to experience Shakespeare as a movie. Branagh’s use of an unabridged script and flashback scenes provide the complete story of Hamlet. The variety of camera shots highlight Hamlet’s intense dialogue and soliloquies. Patrick Doyle’s original score emphasizes action, suspense, and drama. Therefore, through his screenplay, cinematography, and score, Branagh caters to Shakespeare enthusiasts interested in seeing Hamlet on the big screen.

Hamlet decides to test his uncle when an acting troupe arrives in Elsinore. He informs the actors to perform a scene very similar to the actual way his father was murdered. Hamlet is sure that Claudius will react if he is guilty, and his suspicions are confirmed when Claudius jumps from his chair and leaves the room upon seeing the final murder scene. When Hamlet goes to kill Claudius he finds him in prayer and decides not to kill him, because killing Claudius in

In his article “The Very Cunning of the Scene: Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet” (1997) by Mark Thornton Burnett, the author discusses the film of actor Kenneth Branagh’s version of the play Hamlet. First, the author noted that Branagh’s version and its objective were achieved by utilizing special effects to highlight the portrayal of some characters’ cunningness. In addition, Burnett mentioned that the production involved has great effects to achieve the desired objective of the film. Moreover, Burnett observed that Branagh’s version successfully portrayed Hamlet’s character effectively. Wherein, Hamlet emerged from a grieving son to a somewhat cunning personality after learning the foul death of his father. Burnett, also remarked that Branagh’s version incorporated the political aspect of Hamlet by injecting Fortinbras and his army in the scenes, which are omitted in modern versions of Hamlet. Furthermore, Burnett illustrates in his article some of the scenes which pertains to cunningness and how it was achieved through the state of the art such as the camera works and lightings. Burnett, admitted that the film is slanted a bit from the original version, and there are scenes that are unnecessary, which may imply that an audience may not understand the message of the film. However, the author admitted as well that some scenes helped fill in to understand Hamlet story which may be unclear in text form. Burnett, also mentioned that Branagh collaborated with Shakespeare’s scholars to come up with a much-thought film. Lastly, the author mentioned that he

The acting company in this version of the play has chosen to depict Hamlet as a lunatic. They have included certain props and particular actions to accentuate his lunacy.. For example, Hamlet picks up a camera to document each of Claudius’s reactions to the scenes in the play. This makes Hamlet

In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, it is clearly evident Prince Hamlet is overcome with “madness” due to his father’s murder and other malicious actions taken against him. Throughout the play, there are many examples of how Hamlet displays his insanity due to certain situations he experiences and how he handles them. Hamlet shows his madness through the killing of Polonius, his treatment of Ophelia, his thoughts of suicide, and the treatment of his mother Gertrude.

Hamlet is a tragic play, written by William Shakespeare between 1599 and 1602, but as years have gone by, there have been made many movies produced in order to visually illustrate how the events of the play occurred. This allows the film director's interpretation of Hamlet to have an effect on the audience's understanding of the play, because they understand the play the same way as the director. One of the most significant act and scene in the whole play is Act I Scene V. The film work of Hamlet orchestrated by the director really focuses on being exactly as the written play by William Shakespeare. The written work of Hamlet and the movie directed by Franco Zeffirelli have many similar scenes. Act I Scene V is one of the most important

In order to verify that Claudius was in fact the one to murder his father, Hamlet assembles a plan. When a group of actors come to the castle to perform, Hamlet requests that they perform The Murder of Gonzago which mirrors what has taken place in Denmark with King Hamlet and King Claudius. The player agrees to perform the play and Hamlet states, “"We'll ha't tomorrow night. You could for a need study a speech / of some dozen or sixteen lines which I could set down and insert / in't, could you not" (2.2 491-93). By adding his own lines to the performance, Hamlet intensifies the actions of the play in order to confirm what the Ghost had told him. Hamlet states, “the play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king” (3.1 556-7). As expected, the King storms off during the play which, in turn, proves the King is guilty of his brother’s murder. After Hamlet had confirmed Claudius to be the killer, one would expect Hamlet to kill Claudius immediately, however, this action is prolonged till the end of the play.

Shakespearean plays are often known for their outstanding entertainment and classic comic conflict. In his masterwork, Hamlet, Shakespeare uses these aspects to serve his thematic purpose. He has used comedy throughout many of his historic plays, but in this play, comedy is the drawing point that makes it fun and entertaining, yet clear and intuitive. Generally, his tragedies are not seen as comical, but in reality, they are full of humor. However, these comic elements don’t simply serve to relieve tension; they have much significance to the play itself. The characters of Hamlet, Polonius, Osric, and the Gravediggers, prove to be very influential characters, and throughout the play, they are the individuals that

The death of King Hamlet effected many individuals lives to the point where great changes were made. Especially in regards to his son, Hamlet, who took the death – murder- of his father personally in both mental and emotional ways. By doing so, Hamlet portrays and experiences the death and loss of his father by acting out in manners in which magnify his isolation and alienated actions. These would include excluding and distancing himself, turning on those closest, and taking on measures one would never do so when thinking rationally or clearly.

Often, pieces of literature have been analyzed and made into a motion picture in the hopes of further developing the themes presented in the work. Though the Shakespearian play, Hamlet, has been interpreted and converted into a film numerous times by different directors, Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation particularly captured the essence of Hamlet and helped the audience truly understand the events that transpired in Act Three Scene Two of Hamlet. It is in this act, Hamlet plan to reveal King Claudius’ treachery is played out. Hamlet exposes the king through adding an extra sixteen lines to the play which depicts him killing Hamlet’s father. With the directions Hamlet gave to the actors, Hamlet is able to make the audience recognize the king’s