Hamlet Movie Essay: Body Paragraph 1

Being filmed much later than Rodney Benet's version of Hamlet, Gregory Doran in 2010 created a much more modern and contemporary setting to depict the triangle relationship of the family; however, while there is a more modern background, there is not a grand public setting, just as Rodney Benet had visualized thirty years earlier. However, in the earlier film there was much more color in the character's wardrobe; not only was Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius dressed with ravish colors and more representative clothing, but so to were the dozens of stage characters. Moreover, in Doran's version, the black and white setting depicts a more somber, deceptive mood between Hamlet and his parents. Furthermore, the fact that there are very few people in the room eliminates Claudius' tendency to appeal to a large public group; rather, the conversation between him and Hamlet mainly stays private throughout the scene. However, in Benet's film, because there is a moderately large public setting, Claudius constantly changes from talking privately to his family, and then appealing to the large mass of people surrounding them. Even when Claudius feels beaten by Hamlet's sarcastic nature and attacking attitude, he deceptively reveals a loving nature between him and his stepson to the somewhat clueless public. Having the private conversation in the public setting evidently displays the separation between Hamlet and his parents, as they ultimately are more worried with the public's approval of them, rather than with Hamlet's melancholy feelings after his father's death

Hamlet Movie Essay: Intro Paragraph

In BBC's depictions of Hamlet acted by Derek Jacobi and David Tenant, there are subtle similarities between the two movies, but also very distinct differences. This relationship is expressed through a short scene in Act II of the play where Claudius and Gertrude are effectively interrogating Hamlet to rid of his sorrows following the loss of his father, Hamlet Sr. While there are clear differences between the production dates of the movies, there are also similarities regarding the relationship of the characters. Not being a feature film production company, BBC specifically does not have an extremely large budget to produce a grand setting in this scene; thus, even though the scenes are filmed in public settings, it is not extremely grand. However, while there are not superficially large settings, there are evident differences between the relationships between Hamlet, Gertrude, and Claudius. While Hamlet in both the movies express a demanding and attacking tone towards Claudius and Gertrude, there are evident differences regarding his relationship with his parents. In both BBC versions of the movies, while there are clear similarities in the public setting, ultimately the differences lie in the triangle relationship between Hamlet and his newly married parents.

Movie 5 - David Tenant: Analyzation

Movie 5 - David Tenant
More modern setting - private conversation in a public setting, although not as big as a setting as other movies
Hamlet seems aggressive and quite confident
Much more attacking; Hamlet and her mother initially seem somewhat distant - Hamlet is pushing her back at first
Claudius seems very 2-faced and hypocritical; hides his murder through a joyous and supportive nature
Hamlet uses rapid and aggressive responses
Gertrude again becomes flirtatious with Hamlet, starts touching his face
Hamlet feel betrayed that his mother so quickly married Claudius
Turns his back to the security camera and then looks right at it

It is evident in the David Tenant film that Hamlet was extremely focused on his mother's betrayal of Hamlet Sr. Hamlet was extremely aggressive in attacking this point during his soliloquy, where he was shocked that his mother had moved on towards Claudius in just one month. Moreover, when talking to his parents, who portrayed a very hypocritical, loving attitude, Hamlet was much more aggressive and seemed the stronger character, even though he felt dead on the inside.

Hamlet Movie Comparison

Movie 1 - Laurence Olivier
mother has power over Hamlet
Hamlet is depressed
Claudius is mocking Hamlet's depression, scolds and embarrasses Hamlet, being arrogant
Claudius is talking off of the screen to the audience, roaming around to the court - no eye contact with his son
Hamlet does not look at Claudius, mother touching his shoulders
Claudius is playing to the whole audience
Next scene (Wittenburg) - rapid pace and talking to Hamlet in a very demanding tone; Hamlet is lower than Claudius, mother looking towards Hamlet.
Mother flirtatious with Hamlet, kisses him
Claudius drags the queen away when they leave
Queen is more Hamlet's mother than Claudius' wife

Movie 2 - BBC Derek Jacobi
King and Queen are seated, Hamlet is turning his back to them
King and Queen form a united front, much different vision
Queen is more Claudius' husband than Hamlet's mother
Hamlet is more confident and stands up for himself
Mother is much more aggressive, so is Hamlet
Anger in Hamlet's face, protects himself
Turns away when they start talking to him - mocks and laughs at them
Claudius is not putting on a show, not attacking Hamlet as much (Hamlet is more attacking him)
TRIANGLE - Hamlet, Gertrude, Claudius - > Hamlet sitting down, parents standing
Gertrude hanging on Claudius drives Hamlet crazy
Very sarcastic reply by Hamlet to his mom; father pretending it was not

Movie 3 - Mel Gibson
No court here
Hamlet is not as confident as in movie 2
Much more casual conversation, family meeting not a public performance
Trying to fool Hamlet
Mother-Son Scene - tenderness between mother and son
Mother hanging on to Hamlet like a young girl

Movie 4 - Kenneth Branagh
Light violin - create a somber tone
Claudius lowered himself to Hamlet
Mom and dad pleading to Hamlet
Claudius sounds very reasonable when he is speaking
Huge public space
Private conversation in front of many people
Red - evil, white - pure, innocent. Black - somber
When Claudius and Gertrude are together, Hamlet is upset and looks down
Gertrude went from holding Hamlet's hand to Claudius' hand
Claudius is 2-faced between private and public conversations

Character Analyzation Act 2: Hamlet

It is evident throughout Act II that Hamlet has entered a state of melancholy, as he still can not believe that Claudius murdered Hamlet's father. Not only can Hamlet not recover from his father's death, but he is also distraught that his mother has so quickly married the man that murdered her own husband. When people, such as Hamlet's friends, try to comfort him and make him feel better, Hamlet is quick to shrug them away. It appears that all Hamlet is focused on is forcing Claudius to reveal that he was the one that murdered Hamlet Senior. Thus, at the end of Act II, Hamlet has finally created a plan to reveal Claudius' guilt.

Hamlet Act I

In Act I of Hamlet, there were many vital conversations between characters; however, I believe the most important conversation was between Hamlet and the Ghost. Not only does Hamlet learn that it was Claudius that had killed his father, but Hamlet must take revenge against the new king. However, the Ghost asks Hamlet to spare Gertrude as heaven will judge her. The dialogue between Hamlet and the ghost of his father effectively foreshadows the future action of the play, which is predominantly why I thought it was the most important scene.