Hamlet (III. i. 64-96)
To be or not to be – that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And, by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep –
No more – and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to – `tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep –
To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life.
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country from whose bourn
No traveler returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have,
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action.
Below are four different interpretations of Hamlet's famous soliloquy from Act 3, scene 1.Please view all four clips in the following order:
1) 1948 - The timeless performance by Laurence Olivier.
2) 2000 - Ethan Hawke's Hamlet drifts into a Blockbuster video. Notice which section he walks through.
3) 1996 - Kenneth Brannah's Hamlet speaking a mirror image of himself (Note: Hamlet's Uncle Claudius and Polonius are hiding behind the glass).
4) 2009 - David Tennant's Hamlet - A more modern and nuanced performance.
5) 1990 - Mel Gibson's Hamlet - Notice the choice of location and the intensity of the performance.
While watching the 5 different performances of Hamlet, I really liked noticing the different facial expressions of each actor. They all had particular expressions that conveyed their emotions really well. I also liked watching the difference in the setting. I liked the setting best in Laurence Olivier’s performance because in my mind, being near the ocean represented the vastness of the universe and Hamlet feeling overwhelmed with life. The “calamity of so long life” can be seen through the enormity of the ocean, its chaos, and the difficulty of making sense of life. It made the scene far more dramatic and the soliloquy felt stronger with the roaring of the ocean behind it. The next video was Ethan Hawke’s, which I also liked because of the setting. It was perfect that he was walking past and contemplating the “Action” sections, before leaving them behind. You can really see him trying to make a decision through this setting. Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet seemed crazier, most likely because of the mirror, and how he was literally talking to himself like he was a separate person. It looked almost as if he was arguing with this person in the mirror (Symbolic of his conscious), and catching his flawed logic, by exclaiming “Ay, there’s the rub” etc. He seemed more “out of body”, answering the reader’s question of whether Hamlet is crazy or not. David Tennant portrayed Hamlet as more exhausted and hopeless. Here, he seemed less crazy but more depressed and defeatist. After he opens his eyes (when his tone shifts- i.e. “ay there’s the rub” and his questioning of “that sleep of death what dreams may come//When we have shuffled off this mortal coil”) he appears as if he’s awoken from a dream, and is disrupted from his hope of dying and letting all of his problems wash away. He realizes here that ending his life isn’t the best option, and you can clearly see that in David Tennant’s expression. Finally, Mel Gibson’s acting is also well done, and I liked how they placed him directly beside his father’s grave (I’m pretty sure it was his father’s grave). It was as though he wanted his father’s guidance, and was actually speaking to him throughout the soliloquy. This also touches on the ghosts, and Hamlet’s need for redemption to memorialize his father, as well as live up to the life he once lived. Overall, I think I enjoyed David Tennant’s acting the most, since I think it let us see what Hamlet was thinking and feeling in the clearest way. However, I liked the setting of the 1948 rendition, because of the water and the symbolism of the complexity and vastness of life. Sosha
ReplyDeleteMy favorite version was the Mel Gibson Hamlet because of the setting and change of mood throughout the monologue. I also really enjoyed the Kenneth Brannah one. Right as they spoke the first line; “To be or not to be”, I could tell that they were each going to be compelling performances. Personally, I prefer the more animated and serious portrayal of this speech as opposed to the somewhat monotone versions. Both the Kenneth Brannah and the Mel Gibson versions brought something extra to the speech with the setting and mood.
ReplyDeleteEven though Laurence Olivier was holding a knife to himself on the edge of a cliff, I felt as though Ethan Hawke’s version had a more intense feeling to it, as he walked surrounded by war scenes and explosions and seemed eerily calm. They both had a haunting quality with the lack of much inflection in their voices and I really think they both did a great job in portraying Hamlet’s mood- horribly depressed but also desperate and sarcastic and careless. In contrast, Kenneth Brannah’s portrayal of Hamlet has an added layer of suspense to it with Polonius and King Claudius hiding behind the mirror. Not only does it make the watcher question Hamlet’s sanity but something about Hamlet talking about killing himself while talking to himself in a mirror shows just how serious he is and the stakes of the situation. I also really enjoyed the moment when Hamlet and Claudius both drew their weapons, because as an audience member, we all know that Hamlet often knows more than he lets on and could know that the King is behind the glass. To me, David Tennant’s version did a nice job of showing how Hamlet is weighing the options in his head. There is not as much intensity or suspense in this one but rather a combination of longing, hesitation and pain, which works very well for this scene. I think it would be interesting to see how Tennant would portray Hamlet during the “play within a play” scene, since Kenneth Brannah’s Hamlet in that scene is such a dramatic opposite. Mel Gibson’s Hamlet did a great job of changing the mood as the monologue escalated. In the beginning, when he sees the skeleton, he seems to see death as an unfortunate thing, but as he refers to death as sleep he seems relaxed and content next to the tomb, until he starts talking about “dreams” which follow death. Unlike the other Hamlets which maintained about the same intensity and feeling throughout the entire soliloquy, Gibson really led the audience right through his thought process. In addition, I enjoyed how he stared up at the light at the end, it seemed like at that moment he knew he would walk back up the stairs and return to life because he was not ready to die yet.
All the performances have their own uniqueness. The Laurence Olivier one is depressing. I can definitely feel his uncertainty and sorrow. After the dramatic music, his mood changes and it seems like he has made up his mind. It’s interesting that they decide to split the sentence “for in that sleep of death what dreams may come”. Maybe it’s because of the time period that it was performed, this particular Hamlet sounds a lot more poetic and there’s a certain beauty to it. Ethan Hawke’s Hamlet walking through the Action section with war battles playing in the background makes him sound more vicious. He is depressed, but it’s more of an eerie mood. I’m not particularly fond with this Hamlet. I enjoyed Kenneth Brannah’s portrayal of Hamlet. He creates suspense in his speech. Unlike the actors, Brannah almost has a smirk on his face as he talks. He sounds more insane and angry than depressed, as if he is pissed at himself for being a coward, “thus conscience does make cowards of all”. I can feel that this Hamlet is going to explode that he is desperate for something. As he puts the knife next to his face, Hamlet is thinking about committing suicide, but he changes his mind as he points the knife to the mirror because he thought of the ghost of his deceased father. David Tennant's Hamlet is just pure sadness, and then he scoffs at his thought of suicide. Mel Gibson's Hamlet is a combination of everything, sadness, depression, desperation, insanity, uncertainty, and anger. The tomb definitely helps set the mood.
ReplyDeleteOf the five performances, my favorite was Kenneth Brannah's because I thought he showed more emotion and comprehensible turmoil than the others who had very monotone acting. I did like that none of them were too much because obviously it's a soliloquy and one doesn't usually emote dramatically when alone. I appreciated having Claudius and Polonius behind the mirror because it added an interesting twist but also made me question if Hamlet suspected their company. If he didn't know, and he talked to himself in the mirror, he'd be telling himself that he can't find the point of life and the dagger on his temple meant he really wanted to take away his pain through death. BUT, if he did know they were there, or if he suspected it, then you're challenged to figured out which lines were intended for his viewers and which ones were said to himself. Specifically, "...and by a sleep to say we end / The heartache and the thousand natural shocks / That flesh is heir to – `tis a consummation / Devoutly to be wished," could be analyzed as an emotional threat to Claudius. He'd be explaining to him why his death is what he wants, that Claudius dying would put an end to the pain Hamlet feels whenever he looks at his uncle or mother. It's a far-fetched concept but I couldn't help but think about it as I watched the scene. Also, I was made really uncomfortable by the fact that Hamlet just stared at himself, but his eyes were seeing further through everything, and that discomfort made me enjoy Brannah's performance the most. If you've ever stared at yourself in the mirror, then stared into your own eyes, you might be familiar with this feeling of being in a daze where you can't distinguish the reflection from the person and it can get strange. I thought of that feeling as I watched him talk about inner peace through death and considered suicide and held a dagger to his head, I thought about Hamlet's broken state of mind and how the mirror-stare may have made him (more) delusional in the moment. In summary, the use of the mirror made for a meta experience that extended beyond the performance.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of setting, I enjoyed Laurence Olivier’s performance because the shots of the rough sea beneath his feet helped me visualize the turmoil and the inner conflict going on within his head. Olivier seemed to really toy with the idea of taking his own life while all the other performances were a bit too comfortable. When he takes the knife out while saying “Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And, by opposing, end them?”, he creates this grand moment of suspense where it impossible to tell whether he will use the knife or put it back away. Olivier does the best job of conveying the struggle going on within Hamlet’s head. I also enjoyed Kenneth Branagh's performance and how he portrayed a subtle, yet powerful version of Hamlet. I thought Mel Gibson’s was too intense and the Branagh found the right balance. I liked how they incorporated the mirror into his performance because it emphasizes how Hamlet was looking upon himself and judging whether or not he was worthy. He held the knife up to his reflection as if to say he wishes he could kill off one side of him and keep the other. Branagh does a good job of making it almost like an interrogation of himself when he asks questions of himself like “Who would choose to grunt and sweat through an exhausting life, unless they were afraid of something dreadful after death?” Branagh portrays the way that Hamlet was trying to pry information out of himself very well.
ReplyDeleteOut of all the different versions, I have to say the Laurence Oliver performance was my favorite, due to both the acting, which I feel best paralleled that of Shakespeare’s writing itself, as well as the subtle details that were incorporated to embellish the scene and bring out the emotion of Hamlet. I noted that there were certain lines, such as the "[taking] Arms against a Sea of troubles," which manifested beautifully in the Oliver performance, as there was a physical sea there, allowing readers to have a tangible sight to better understand Hamlet’s woes. However, I believe that there were flaws in this rendition as well. When I originally read Hamlet’s soliloquy, I was able to make out different emotions in one. Hamlet was not just dramatic — he was upset, confused, depressed, angry, and more. I believe that when compared to the Oliver performance, which was very "monochromatic," and the Hawke and Mel Gibson ones, which I felt did not characterize the rage beneath Hamlet’s soliloquy, the David Tennant and Kenneth Brannah ones better brought out those different hues of emotion. In these videos, I specifically liked the "for who would bear the whips and scorns of time" line. I can’t describe it exactly, per say, but something about the aforementioned performances just was exactly as I imagined Hamlet having said his words. Another powerful line was "to sleep, perchance to dream, aye, there's the rub," a line illustrating Hamlet’s dillemmas with committing suicide. I think this idea was best captured by the Brannah version, where the mirror/reflection of Hamlet represented his dillemma to continue living with his sorrow or to end his life, a common theme in the later parts of the play. I also agree with some of my peers above, that there was a lot of imagery and symbolism within the settings of each video. Most prominently, as I mentioned above, there was the representation of the sea, which stood for the vastness, confusion and complexity inherent to life, which is indirectly plauging Hamlet. Overall, I think each rendition had something unique to bring to the table, and portrayed this famous soliloquy in a different way. I enjoyed each, and I think the fact that the soliloquy has been interpreted in such different ways only serves to prove the combination of different emotions in Hamlet’s mind, which each video does justice to in a different way.
ReplyDeleteMy two favorite performances were Laurence Olivier's and Mel Gibson’s. When I read the soliloquy, I imagined it as very emotional and dramatic, and I feel as though these are the two performances that really captured the scene the way I imagined it. In Laurence Olivier’s performance, I thought that the setting really reflected Hamlet’s inner thoughts well. I think that the rough ocean waves, as Steven said, did a good job of giving a visual to Hamlet’s inner turmoil and conflict. I also thought that when he pulled out the knife at “and, by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep”, it the speech feel more serious. I think that Olivier’s performance with the knife was stronger than Brannah’s because the setting made it more dramatic, and it also made me think Hamlet was more serious about taking his life. I also really liked Mel Gibson’s performance because the way he spoke his lines was closest to how I pictured them being spoken when I read the play. The other performances were more monotone and contemplative, but I pictured the scene with more emotion. Mel Gibson’s performance delivered all the emotion that I was hoping to see. I think that the setting of a tomb added a level of seriousness to the scene that I also really enjoyed. When Hamlet said “thus conscience does make cowards of us all”, in this particular performance, I could really feel the emotion.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Laurence Oliver’s performance the best. As others have said, the choice in setting definitely works to its advantage as the sounds of the ocean waves murmur in the background of Hamlet’s speech which seems to somehow give it more depth and meaning. The way Oliver says the lines and his contemplative facial expressions truly portray the deep meaning and significance of this moment in the play. The way he used the knife in his speech also gave the scene more outward expression of his inner thoughts as he at first used it in hesitation, but as his speech went on and he thought more about it, he cast it into the ocean, which seemed to represent the turmoil and unrest of his conscience. I think the modernity of Ethan Hawke’s performance gave it a different feeling almost as if it were a different play, and I liked Kenneth Branagh’s performance and the incorporation of the mirror reflecting both himself and his inner conscience. I also thought that Branagh did a good job conveying the emotion behind the lines. David Tennant’s performance portrayed Hamlet as more lost and futile than in the others and I think that the way he delivered the lines made the audience strongly feel the unrest and tension of this moment. I also thought that Tennant’s performance was interestingly filmed as it was mostly just a close-up of his face with a dark background so that the audience could see and feel every emotion he expressed with each word. Lastly, I think that Mel Gibson's performance was more intense than the others’ and, similar to Oliver’s, I think that the setting of it strengthened the meaning. Overall though, I liked Laurence Oliver’s performance the best because of the somewhat subtle setting and sound of the ocean waves and the deep emotion of confusion and sorrow he conveyed as he questioned “To be or not to be.”
ReplyDeleteOut of all the performances, Laurence Olivier and Mel Gibsons performances caught my attention the most because I think they both brought in interesting interpretations and elements. In Lauren Olivier’s, the setting itself creates an interesting symbolic qualtiy becuase it is emphasizing how Hamlet is at a cliffs edge in his sanity and also in his uncertainty about action against his uncle. At some moments he is sitting contemplating and then the next he is at the edge looking into the gray abyss of his surroundings looking like he has lost all meaning. This gives the audience a chance to see what he is feeling inside and see how much this is effecting his well being and sanity. As he walks down the steps and leaves the cliff, there is an air of uncertainty and no conclusion left and we are not quite sure what Hamlet has settled on which I thought was a nice touch. Mel Gibsons performance was also one that I felt portrayed the essence of Hamlets turmoil. He is in his fathers tomb with his coffin which begs the reoccuring question of how sane Hamlet is since he is all alone in a room where his dead father is. But also, I liked the way that Gibson portrayed Hamlet bouncing between emotions because this is how I pictured him when I read the passage, one moment he is crouching seemlingly crushed under the weight of burden and pain, but then the next moment he is pacing in a restless need for action. The indecisivness and unpredictability in which Gibson portrayed Hamlet I think did the passage the most justice, while the other ones like David Tennants and Kenneth Brannah’s, portrayed Hamlet with just one mostly consistent emotion. Tennants Hamlet seemes more defeated and pained and less angered and uncertain. While Kenneth Brannahs Hamlet was more crazed and convicted and less uncertain as well which I think is an important quality in Hamlets characeter that is crutial to his struggle.
ReplyDeleteIt was really interesting to see the different approaches to the To be or not to be speech that the different actors took. I think especially since this speech is so famous, and since the language of Shakespeare can be difficult to truly understand, it takes really good acting to make the audience really “get it”. I think Laurence Olivier’s performance aired on the side of overdramatic… it was kind of hard to see beyond the flourishes of the fog, emotional music and theatrical poses to actually hear the meaning behind the words. I liked Ethan Hawke’s speech. I liked how he was walking through the Action section of the movie store, and I thought the tone of his voice really expressed Hamlet’s depression and confusion. I also liked how there was a clip of a movie (Back to the Future?) playing in the store. Maybe this was meant to be a connection between the themes in Back to the Future about past vs. present, and how the past determines the present and the future. There are also themes in Back to the Future about our parents, and how they shape us, and how we in turn shape them, that could be applied to Hamlet. Kenneth Brannah’s interpretation was really intense. I liked the very beginning of it when he is staring at himself in the mirror. He looked almost deranged, but also incredibly focused on himself. I also liked the added touch of having Claudius and Polonius hiding behind the mirror. I liked when they flinched when Hamlet took out his knife, because although it looks like Hamlet is trying to confront himself in the mirror, he is, unknowingly, also confronting the person who has truly caused his problems. When Hamlet talks of “taking arms against a sea of troubles”, he means take arms against himself, but we know what he really needs to do is take arms against his uncle, which is further symbolised with his uncle hiding behind the mirror. Hamlet can’t see him, but he is there. In David Tennant’s speech, I was really captivated at the beginning. He expressed Hamlet’s sadness in a way that the other actors didn’t. His Hamlet was really choked up, and seemed truly upset in a tearful, emotional way. Some of the other actors expressed Hamlet’s sadness in a manner that suggested that Hamlet was beyond shedding tears over the matter, and was left only with a feeling that action needed to be taken. I felt like as Tennant’s speech went on, I became less interested. It was almost like there was only one speed to his acting, and it got less believable as it went on, in a similar way to how Olivier’s speech seemed overdone. Mel GIbson’s Hamlet was really well done. He expressed all the elements of Hamlet’s character that the other actors did, but all at once. He was able to use the dramatics that Olivier and Tennant did to show his desperation and sadness. He had the same need to take action that Hawke did, and provided the same tension and intensity that Brannah did, that makes the audience wonder about his own sanity and mental stability. When you listened to Gibson speak, you really believed he was Hamlet. He made Hamlet seem like a real person, and as a result, it was easier to understand the words he was saying. Because of this, I liked Mel Gibson’s version the best.
ReplyDeleteAnna Vrountas
I liked Ethan Hawke’s performance of Hamlet the best. I appreciated how it was a sort of modern and relatable take on the piece. While watching, I noticed how he cleverly walks through the action isle of blockbuster, like he is being pushed to take action by everything he sees. I also noticed that while he says the lines “perchance to dream” he is looking up at a TV screen that shows one actor killing another. It was also interesting to me because I feel like the setting was relatable to people since being alone in stores often causes you to think deeply/ be in your own world. The performance I liked second best was probably Kenneth Brannah's Hamlet because it was very reflective in terms of the setting he was in. Also, that one was easy to watch and listen to since it was relatively newer. I would say that is how I pictured Hamlet during the moment when I read that part in the book, whereas Ethan Hawke’s performance was not what I pictured at all since it was more modern. The one I least enjoyed was the performance by Laurence Olivier. The way the lines were read and the way he was standing while you can hear the lines seemed very uncomfortable. Also, the use of cinematography at the beginning of the clip made me kind of dizzy, and obviously the quality was worse because it was an old clip. I liked comparing all of these actors performances because it shows how the scene can be interpreted in many different ways.
ReplyDeleteCat
Of all the performances that I have seen, I am surprised to say that I thought that Mel Gibson’s “To be or not to be” speech was the best. This is because I view the character of Hamlet as a person who is full of frustration, towards himself, those around him, and the entire universe, yet is too thoughtful to act or resolve this frustration. He is fed up with everyone else around him and his entire life in general and wants to kill Claudius, an act which will most likely end in his own death and a final escape from the anguish and frustration of his own life. He desires death or is at the very least death-curious, and romanticizes it as a final escape from the tiring and futile task that is existence. However, the only thing that is stopping him from taking action, killing Claudius, and resolving all of the frustrations that plague his life, is the same thing that stops everyone from taking action, fear of death and the unknown. If he dies, Hamlet doesn’t know what will happen next; will he sleep forever or will he go to hell or someplace else? This uncertainty distracts him from action once again and further increases his frustrations about his world, frustrations he probably takes out of Ophelia after the speech. This romanticization of death and Hamlet’s overwhelming frustration at himself and the universe over the uncertainty of death. It is a turn in emotion from wistful musing and desire to frustration and emotional realization at the line “To sleep; perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub;” which I looked for in every single performance. Mel Gibson was the only one to have that shift to anger and intensity after solemn dreamlike musing that I was looking for.
ReplyDeleteAlso Kenneth Branagh sounds like a teenager practicing Hamlet in front of the mirror without really knowing what he is saying. He's boring, and far too blond for his own good.
DeleteAfter watching all of the different performances of Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” soliloquy, I have to say that Ethan Hawke’s was my favorite. However, I will say that I think Mel Gibson’s was spot on. From the scenery to the acting it felt “right”. This being said it was not my absolute favorite because it did not stick with me the way that Ethan Hawke’s did. I loved the way that it was modernized from its original version. This clip made me look up the movie to read more about it. Upon my research I realized that this movie was quite similar to Baz Luhrmann's “Romeo + Juliet”. In my freshman ENglish class I was one of the only ones who liked this movie and till to this day love that take on the movie. I think that is why I was so drawn to Ethan Hawke’s performance. I particularly liked the setting of his speech, the modernest of them all, a video store. The director’s choice to have Hamlet walking past the Action Movie sections was deliberate and I believe a very wise one. He is contemplating this whole section trying to make a decision, just like he is trying to do in his life when he begins to contemplate the true meaning of life. I think that this version was the most intense and showed how deep Hamlet’s sadness and anger really was. He was walking through war scenes and guns in the store and is not phased by it at all. This performance was especially eerie in his tone and the way Ethan Hawke carried himself. I think that this speech was modernized very well and emulated how Shakespeare’s Hamlet was feeling at the time. While haunting and depressing this speech was also beautiful, the way that Ethan Hawke went about it was felt very “right”. Out of all of the performances of Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” speech this is the one that stuck with me the most based on its depth and interpretation.
ReplyDeleteColleen
Of the five films, I enjoyed David Tennant's Hamlet the most because I felt that it best conveyed the depressed and slightly unsettling atmosphere that Shakespeare would have likely intended it to have. By having Tennant whisper into a darker background with moving shots of parts of his face, the audience is set on edge, almost waiting for something bad to happen. In my opinion, that helps convey the true mood of Hamlet- here is a son whose father was murdered by the man who then took his throne contemplating existential questions revolving around what it is like “to die, to sleep” and beginning to plot out his revenge against his father’s murderer. It should be scary, suspenseful, and set the audience on edge, and this version of the film does the best job of that.
ReplyDeleteMy two favorite performances were David Tennant and Mel Gibson. For Tennant, I felt that the filming of it and all of the background “stuff” (sound, lighting, etc.) was incredibly subtle, if there at all, and it allowed the focus of the scene to be purely on the soliloquy and nothing else. I liked the sort of symbolism with the one lighting change. In the beginning of the monologue his face is in the dark, however when he says the line “No more” he is suddenly in the light. To me this was very Allegory of the Cave-like, and it signified a change in his objectives. In this one I really saw Hamlet, not just an actor playing Hamlet. I also liked his sigh when he saw Ophelia. He seemed anxious, but in a loving worried kind of way. Acting-wise, I thought Gibson’s beats, vocal variation, and subtext were very strong. This version also had a dark to light theme, however in this one, Hamlet moved into the light on the lines where he is contemplating one’s conscious, saying, “And thus the native hue of resolution/ Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought.” I think this was just as a good a place to literally and figuratively come into the light as in Tennant’s with “No more.” I felt the location had both pros and cons. The walking around seemed fitting in accordance with Gibson’s delivery of the lines, I liked how he started and ended in the same place because it made the soliloquy truly feel like an inner monologue and a step out of the play, if you will, and I also liked the slight echo. The tombs and skeletons were fitting but I also felt they were a little over the top at moments. My second favorite was Laurence Oliver. I thought that his performance of the soliloquy however was inconsistent with its levels of intensity. The music, setting, and blocking were all very intense, however his acting itself offered an alternate approach, one I found to be more subtle and authentic. I would say the climax of this performance was on the “A chance to dream” line- when the music crescendos, the waves are crashing perfectly in sync, his voice is quicker yet more sure, and the camera angle cuts from a close up of his face while his sitting, to a shot of him lying down and holding his dagger. I also thought that the take on this soliloquy was fitting for the films of that time period. I liked the modern take of Ethan Hawke’s Hamlet! I thought that the actor was good, and I felt that the music added to the scene and the meaning of the monologue rather than taking away from it. Walking through the Blockbuster video was a creative decision for sure, yet it managed to work. It was funny that he was walking through the “Action” section, as I would argue that at this point in the play the action is nearing its peak. I also thought it was funny that they had a “Go Home Happy” sign in the background because no one watching (or reading) Hamlet will likely Go Home Happy:) It was a silly use of irony. I was not so crazy about Kenneth Brannah’s Hamlet. From an acting perspective, I felt he was missing a lot of beats and moments throughout the soliloquy, his subtext was not very strong, he needed some vocal variation to keep things more interesting, and his walking, although I get the point of why he was walking towards himself with the dagger, was distracting and he did not seem to have much purpose in his walking. Overall I just didn’t feel this performance was genuine.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I liked Mel Gibson's version. I don't really have too much of a logical reason as to why other than the excellence of the delivery. I don't necessarily think that he's the most rational person ever, but at the same time I think he's a pretty okay actor I guess and I don't have anything against him personally. He's talented I suppose. To be honest I don't actually know very many actors but he's a household name (even if its not for the right reasons anymore) and there's probably a good reason for that beyond just being as crazy as he is. The purpose of an actor is to illicit an emotional response from the audience using the material he is given and I think that Mel achieves this reasonably well all things considered. Perhaps there is some method behind the madness
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed each different performance of Hamlet, but the acting method and emotions of each “Hamlet” created a noticeable divide. Right away, I noticed that my favorite was the Mel Gibson version because I feel like he really encompased the somber and questioning theme of the soliloquy. My least favorite was Kenneth Branagh's performance, because his intense acting and heightened sense of craziness took away from the meaning of his speech. I feel as though he portrayed Hamlet inaccurately, or at least how I think he should be shown. Laurence Olivier and David Tennant’s version of Hamlet set a much more depressing tone. Laurence Olivier created a traditional scene of torment and sadness by sitting on the edge of a tall tower over the ocean and holding a knife to his throat. Though he does a good job capturing the sadness, I feel as though Mel Gibson better incases the full spectrum of emotions. David Tennant’s performance is similar, in the way that it shows the sadness Hamlet is feeling, but fails to show conflict and other emotions. It is also, in my opinion, the most`boring performance. Ethan Hawke’s performance is much different than the others, because it is in a more modern and non traditional setting. While watching I felt more connected to this one than Laurence Olivier and David Tennant’s performance, because it is more relatable. Due to the modern setting, I could easily see how someone feeling the emotions Hamlet does would wander aimlessly like Hawke does. Overall, Gibson’s performance resonated with me the most, and is in my opinion, the best Hamlet portrayal.
ReplyDeleteI preferred Tennant's soliloquy because I felt it balanced the introspection and mood of the passage without being distracting. Tennant had so much control over his facial expressions as well as his diction and execution of the shakespearian language. His intensity was much more muted compared to Brannah's or Gibson's, which I liked because it helped the words come through better while also showing a slightly different interpretation of the text. It was also a more timeless piece than Gibson's, Brannah's, or Hawke's, all of which were clearly set in a specific location and time. Tennant's piece showcased the timeless and universal quality of Shakespeare. From a technical perspective I appreciated the deliberateness of Tennant's beats and breathes such as the beat before "for who would bear the whips and scorns of time" to show that he is truly lost in thought, deeply pondering this subject. The camera work also conveyed his mood, as it moved from showing his silhouette to his face as he says "No more". Another nice choice was that his face was still slightly hid behind the wall he was leaning on. It seemed as if he was exhausted from life, almost collapsing against the wall, his face haggard and sunken. This is a Hamlet I could believe has been tormented and depressed. Some of the other performances did not include that deep emotion that Hamlet is known to feel, namely Brannah's and Olivier's.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite performance was definitely the Laurence Olivier one as it connected most directly with the image I had in my head when I read Hamlet's soliloquy before seeing any performances. I got the whole angel vs devil vibe from this performance as I did in the book. Like a little devil on one shoulder telling Hamlet to end it all and then the angel telling him to to tough it out and not give into suicide. It was clear in this performance how Hamlet was debating with himself but still kept a calm tone without any of the hysterics and excessive drama I felt were in some of the other performances. Obviously it's just a preference but I feel like the overly dramatic tone of the other performances take away from the deep and meaningful soloquiley and made it almost comedic, which I feel this soliloquy should not convey.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite performance of the scene was by Mel Gibson. He established a character that almost exactly matched the Hamlet that I have been reading with in my head. The fine line between insanity and sanity is developed through his confusion. His performance begins very quietly, trying to make sense of the situation. Mel Gibson slowly begins developing anger and frustration in his voice, expressing his heightened feeling of anger which really helps understand Hamlet’s emotions. Gibson also begins his performance calmly asking about the purpose of prolonging pain. While considering suicide, Mel Gibson is capable of questioning a universal idea that many follow. Gibson’s performance brought out Hamlet’s wisdom and insanity together in a very clear way that helps the audience understand the internal battle Hamlet is going through.
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Out of all the movies, I liked Tennant's Hamlet the most because it was the way I envisioned the soliloquy when I read it. It did not just seem like a whiny, angsty boy but instead gives us a glimpse of his inner thoughts. I liked how he took time to recite the play, taking breaths and gaps in between, which gave him time to think about what he is inwardly feeling and how to express them properly. I loved how the movie focused on his face and did not try to concentrate too many things at once, allowing the viewer to be fully absorbed in his words and emotions. His face seemed to perfectly express his inward confusion. The minimal surrounding was all dark, which I liked because it gave a the scene a gloomy feel. Hamlet is diving deep into his soul and thinking dark thoughts, and I think the scene represents that perfectly. Tennant had the perfect balance between the emotions in his heart and and the thoughts in his head. I loved that because throughout the play, those are two things that keep being balanced.
ReplyDeleteI think that Olivier’s performance was my least favorite. The music and the way they videotaped it was too intense, and it quite honestly hurt my head a little at the beginning. I was shocked when Olivier began to act, it was very subtle, something I did not expect. Although, I think his performance lacked a lifeliness, his voice was powerful and charismatic enough to evoke the emotion of the audience. Olivier seemed to be reciting the play instead of acting, a quality that allows the watcher to contemplate whether Hamlet has actually lost his mind or not, which I appreciated. This is a major topic in the play that makes it so fun to read, so staying loyal to Shakespeare’s mystery was what I find the most appropriate. The self indulgent performance, I believe correctly conveys how Hamlet felt when he was considering suicide, full of heartache and confusion.
I believe that Ethan Hawke’s interpretation was unpleasant and confusing and confusing to watch. I think the scene being shot at a Blockbuster seemed random and not an appropriate place to recite Hamlet's soliloquy. His mumbles didn’t allow the viewer to get Shakespeare’s work in full effect. Hawke’s causality and the scenery does not allow the viewer to fully capture the significance and weight of this speech. With the actor wearing a hat and browsing movies, it honestly had a little bit of a comical effect due to the fact the actor did not look as someone who I pictured is going through an existential crisis. Maybe that was the point of this interpretation, to show that sometimes it not obvious when someone is having a crisis and that they do not need to be talking to themselves in the mirror to be. I also did not see Claudius nor Polonius in the scene. However, I did like how he was browsing the action movies, since Hamlet is questioning whether or not to take action or not, an important theme that seems to leads the whole plot of the play.
I think Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation nailed it. I was automatically captured by the extraordinary scenery and Branagh’s energy. At times I believed his constant, intense energy throughout his speech and actions seemed too calculated, making Hamlet’s hesitation and confusion seem not genuine enough, but it is all about the reader’s interpretation of the play. A positive aspect of Branagh’s energy was that it did not made me think for a second that he is an actor who is supposed to be interpreting Hamlet, but instead Hamlet himself. His words were perfectly memorized and spoken with a lot of feeling and emotion. This quality allowed me to feel more connected to the movie. I love how it demonstrates him having a conversation with himself in the mirror, since he is talking to his inner ming and soul. I also deeply appreciated how Branagh's stayed true to the play by making Claudius and Polonius present hiding behind the glass.
ReplyDeleteMel Gibson's Hamlet was also reenacted really well. The only thing that bother me is that Gibson acts that like he has lost his mind, leaving no room for the viewer to ponder amongst themselves whether he is really insane or just acting, something that makes reading the play so fun. His acting was really so good, and his emotions can be seen in his eyes. The tomb also gave the scene a feeling of darkness that parallels Hamlet's thoughts.
Out of the five interpretations, my favorite was definitely David Tennant's Hamlet for a variety of reasons. In his speech, Hamlet weighs the pros of cons of both life and death, and whether if it is, “nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” or, “take arms against a sea of troubles and, by opposing, end them.” He is arguing between life and death, which requires a tremendous amount of contemplation and attention. Although it is very nuanced, I believe Tennant’s decision to remain still was perfect, as it allowed the audience to take in each and every word. The camera is focused on Hamlet’s faced the entire time, and while it may seem that the simplicity would take away from the general passion of the scene, I think it increased it by two fold. Every seemingly trivial aspect of the scene is imperative to its delivery: the facial expressions, the pauses within the speech, and the way in which he expels the diction. It immediately captivated me, hence why I think it is the best interpretation out of the five. Nevertheless, I also really enjoyed Laurence Oliver’s, as it, like Tennant’s, mainly encompassed the delivery of the speech rather than the setting. When Hamlet is delivering his speech in Mel Gibson’s interpretation, the scene is constantly changing. While I do like the idea of the increasing intensity of the scene, I thought the delivery ended up being less intense than Tennant’s. For some reason, Kenneth Brannah’s was my least favorite of the five interpretations, and I cannot exactly explain why. Maybe it was the way in which Brannah acted out the speech, or how the fact that how he was staring into the mirror made it “cliche”. Nevertheless, it was quite interesting to see how each actor interpreted the scene, and the decisions that went into the camera-work.
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