Hamlet's Dilemma

So....your goal for today entails a few things. Go through this checklist so that you are up to date with the work for this marking period.

• First, did you write your reflection on the ghost scene?  If not do so first.
• Next, did you comment on at least one person's reflections?  If not, do that.
• Then, did you write your "To be or not to be" reflections?  Make sure you've done that.
• Now, (this is new) reflect on at least one other person's blog for that scene.  Make sure you make appropriate comments, highlight what you liked about their ideas, and think critically about what they noticed.
• Finally, if you are done with all of that, your third entry for Hamlet on your personal page should be about the following question....

Do you agree or disagree with Hamlet's hesitation to kill Claudius?  Is he right for waiting, and thinking about it carefully?  Or should he have just shut up and done it already?

Consider carefully ethical issues about murder and cultural issues of honor and filial obligation.  Consider also religious ramifications, as they are a thematic focus in the play.  And of course, consider whether Claudius is really guilty, what would be the cost if he were not, and what might happen to poor Hamlet if he killed the king considering everyone things he is a madman.

And remember, I will be looking to see what you are writing during the period, so make sure you're really working (you know who you are....).  I will see you all tomorrow!

To be or not to be...

The following links will bring you to the videos that we viewed in class.  Take a moment to review them before considering the prompt.

Olivier's Hamlet             Zeffirelli's Hamlet  

Branaugh's Hamlet      Almereyda's Hamlet

And just for fun....     Arnold's Hamlet

Your Task:

Reflect on each film version of Hamlet's soliloquy in more depth. Consider using some of your notes to guide you.

In each version of the play, what is the setting? What effect does this have? What is the director trying to convey?

Is there any music? What mood does this set?

What choices does the director make about lighting or props? Do these choices reinforce the theme of his speech?

What figurative aspects of the speech are represented literally (if any)? How does the director use these symbols throughout the speech?

What is the emotion with which the actor repeats the lines? How does this change throughout the speech? What effect does this have?

Why are there so many versions of this play? What do you think that says about the universality of Hamlet? Which version of the play did you like the most (do not think of putting Schwarzenegger's)? What about this version was most effective in your opinion?

Hamlet: The First Ghost Scene

Analyze
Using the three versions of the ghost scene that we watched in class, offer your commentary on each film.  Consider some of the following points in your critique:

• How did the actors portray the characters?
• Was there music?
• What was the lighting like?
• Were there special effects?
• How did the director use visual elements (such as flashback) to add depth to the scene?

Overall what was the effect of these choices?  Do you agree or disagree with the choices the director made?  Which version resonated with you the most?

Extend

If you were to interpret this scene through film yourself, how would you approach it?  What in particular would you focus on?  What in your opinion, is important about this scene and how would you want to convey that?  

For example, what do you want to leave your audience with after watching this scene?  Is it the despair that the ghost feels? Or Hamlet's frustration?  Do you find fault with Gertrude, and want to cast doubt about her involvement?  Or is Hamlet imagining this scene?  Could you, through directorial choices, convey that Hamlet is imagining all this? 

Assignment 

Address these questions, or other topics which you feel are relevant, in no less than 3-4 paragraphs.  Draw from what observed in the first three, as well as what you have seen in other films.  Consider also, some of the things we talked about, when discussing An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.  When you refer to movies you should use the director's last name, and when you refer to the characters, use the actor's last names.

First Version

Director: (Franco) Zeffirelli     Hamlet: (Mel) Gibson

Second Version

Director: (Kenneth) Branagh    Hamlet: (Kenneth) Branagh

Third Version

Director: (Michael) Almereyda   Hamlet: (Ethan) Hawke

 Film Version Links


Zeffirelli Version (short clip, but enough to see part of it)

Branagh Version

Director's Commentary on the Branagh Version

Good News about Terminal Preposition Use

As some of you may know (but many of you may not), it has long been considered poor form to end a sentence with a preposition (words like with, about, for, etc.).  However, if asked by a teacher to revise your sentence, the resulting sentence may sound awkward and just plain confusing.  While it is important to remember that sometimes phrasing that sounds incorrect might actually be grammatically sound, this is one case that is an exception to the rule.

The rule actually has a complex history, which you can read more about here.  It is an interesting example, like others we have discussed, of how language continues to change and evolve based on the speakers and the contexts in which they write.  (Or...the contexts which they write in.  Either use is appropriate.) So, feel free to use prepositions at the end of your sentences.  And if your teacher or professor tells you that you are wrong, you can cite your new understanding of the rule as evidence for why you are not!