Ophelia's Eulogy

Ophelia,
   They say that the ones that love us never really leave us. And although your not here with us, I know you'll be in our hearts forever. In all honesty, I don't blame you for going mad before your death. Hamlet's behavior must have been over whelming for you, as well as your fathers death. Hamlet behaved poorly towards you because of his own problems.You were at no fault. Therefor where ever you may be now, please know we all cared for you.
   We will remember your death and celebrate a great lady. May you be happy in your afterlife and not be blamed for your hasty death. Some here believe you don't deserve this funeral. I think you deserve this and maybe more. Whether this death was on purpose or an accident, everyone deserves a proper burial. The things and the people in your life, they weren't fair. May you rest in peace Ophelia.

Hamlet's Dilemma: Killing Claudius

   I completely agree with Hamlet's hesitation in killing Claudius. In class we discussed how Claudius was confessing his sins. If Hamlet had killed Claudius it wouldn't be avenging his fathers death. Claudius would have gone to heaven because he had time to repent for killing his brother and marrying his wife. Hamlet thought it would be a better idea to kill him when he was in the act of sinning.
" 89   When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, 
 90   Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed; 
 91   At gaming, swearing, or about some act 
 92   That has no relish of salvation in't; 
 93   Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, 
 94   And that his soul may be as damn'd and black
 95   As hell, whereto it goes... "
  (Hamlet 138)
    I actually admire Hamlet a little. If it were me, I would have killed Claudius right there. It took real restrain not to kill him. Anyone else would have just shot, stabbed or plunge a sword into him. Killing Claudius wouldn't have resulted in anything good, It would have made Hamlet look even crazier. When he killed Polonius it showed me what it would be like once people found out Hamlet Killed the king. And of course i believe that Claudius killed Old Hamlet, he already confessed to it. The reaction he had during the play also shows he might be guilty.  

"To Be or Not To Be..."

   Olivier's "To be or not to be" version is in black and white. It takes place on top of a castle looking out onto an ocean. This setting gives the scene some anticipation as to whether or not he will jump off. The music almost makes it seem as if is there to take his life. The fog gives it an ominous feeling along with the music. His prop give it a more dramatic effect. When he drops the dagger, to me it symbolizes him deciding to keep his life.

   Zeffirelli's Hamlet is played by Mel Gibson and takes place in a catacomb. Making the scene in a catacomb was a good choice because he is talking about life and death. I like that there is no music in this scene. He also turns to a tomb when he says things about death.

   Branaugh's Hamlet is different because he talks to himself looking in a mirror and there are people behind it. He also uses a dagger and points it at a mirror. There isn't music except for an occasional hum of  "angelical" voices. I enjoy the silence of the scene, it makes me engage in what he's saying even more. I love how Mel Gibson and Kenneth Branaugh do this Soliloquy. They both do it so intensely.

   Almereyda's version of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" took place in a Blockbuster. The music made the scene 10 times creepier than it seemed. There was a movie playing in the background with scenes of fire. His voice and the way he said the speech made it very depressing and careless. There are so many versions of this scene because everyone interprets thing from a different perspective. I loved the Branaugh and Zeffirelli version becacuse they set the mood of the scene without music.       

Analyzing the First Ghost Scene

How did the actors portray the characters?                                                                

   In the (Franco) Zeffirelli version during the ghost scene, i thought Hamlet was very over dramatic. I like the way Old Hamlet acted in this scene, it was realistic. Later on in the movie i thought Hamlet was very funny and well portrayed. 

   The (Kenneth) Branagh version didn't impress me at all during the ghost scene. I enjoyed the flashbacks because it helps you understand whats going on. The way Hamlet acted was fine, the reactions he gave were normal to expect. The only thing that really bothered me was Old Hamlet's voice. If he spoke normally maybe the Director wouldn't have needed flashbacks. It's a real shame because the ominous feeling that the woods gave was good. I understood why Old Hamlet spoke in a creepy voice, but it would be better without it.

  (Michael) Almereyda's version of the ghost scene was nice because of the Father/son moment they share before Old Hamlet Disappears. In the other versions, you feel fear being set in more than a nice moment between them. This scene was different than the others because it had more lighting and the settings were different. Although hotels can be creepy (the shinning for example) it doesn't give off the same feelings that the others do.

   Zeffirelli's version took place at night on top of a castle. Branagh's version of the ghost scene took place in the hair-raising woods. And Almereyda's version took place in a nicely lit hotel. They all have things that make them different, but i can't choose a favorite because they also all have things i dislike about them.