Hamlet Film Analysis
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Name
Instructor
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Video critique for Hamlet
Please follow all directions.
· Use MLA formatting, Times New Roman, double-spaced, 12pt. font.
1. First, find a video online, like on Youtube, of about 1:00 worth of the play--it should match a passage in the play. The video may be longer, but specify what time stamp you are critiquing in the title.
2. Hyperlink the title of your essay to the video, so I can watch it.
Objective:
· Evaluate whether or not the film adaptation is a good portrayal of the play; your critique should have specific reasons about why you think this.
· The rest of your essay will go into detail explaining your thesis.
· Your critique of the video must be based on your knowledge and understanding of the passage, so you must provide textual evidence from Hamlet as well as provide descriptions of the video. (I can't watch the video and read your response at the same time, so you need to make me see what you see with your words. It will also help you to take notes on the video while you watch it.)
Pay attention to:
· delivery of the lines
· imagery /the setting / scenery
· the portrayal of the actor[s]
· lighting & camera effects
· sound effects or music
Notes:
· Use the names of the actors and the directors. Make it clear whether you are commenting on Shakespeare, the director, the characters, or the actors.
· These should take more than one sitting to complete and show some depth and organizational structure.
· Though this is opinion, there is no need to use first person pronouns, and certainly not the 2nd person.
1st Paragraph- Introduction
Introduce topic
Thesis = Subject + Opinion (Explain whether or not the
film interprets the play effectively or ineffectively) .
State the 3 reasons for your thesis.
2nd Paragraph- (1st Body Paragraph)
Restate the 1st Reason
Provide evidence from the play to support your statements.
Provide analysis of evidence.
Provide evidence from the film to support your statements.
Provide analysis of evidence.
3rd Paragraph- (2nd Body Paragraph)
Restate the 2nd Reason
Provide evidence from the play to support your statements.
Provide analysis of evidence.
Provide evidence from the film to support your statements.
Provide analysis of evidence.
4th Paragraph- (3rd Body Paragraph)
Restate the 3rd Reason
Provide evidence from the play to support your statements.
Provide analysis of evidence.
Provide evidence from the film to support your statements.
Provide analysis of evidence.
5th Paragraph- Conclusion
Sum up your essay in a few sentences
Restate Thesis along with supporting reasons
____ Support and Analysis(at least 6 pieces of literary evidence - 3 from play/ 3 from film) -40
___ Organization (introduction 3 body paragraphs, conclusion) -30 ___ Style (flow, originality, Clarity) -15 ___ Mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation) -15
Actual Points _____
Total Possible Points - 100
Sample Student
Mr. DiBenedetto
ENG 095/ 111
October 17, 2020
Shakespeare’s plays are classic because they feature the timeless actions of man -- the pursuit for power, a quest for revenge, even the events of murder. Hamlet is one such play with these elements. The coronation scene in particular is essential in how it segues the story into these hints of violence. A grand ceremony is tainted, at least for Hamlet and the reader, with suspicion because of its timing and host. Director Doran’s version is a faithful adaptation that also adds on to the scene. Through a series of director’s, author’s, and actors’ techniques the key point of King Claudius as a charismatic politician with an undercurrent of suspicion is kept, with the additional bonus of Gertrude gaining a layer of characterization absent from the play as she expresses discomfort with Claudius’ rise to power.
The coronation scene is the most powerful display of Claudius’ popularity in Denmark, a popularity that drives the plot as Hamlet struggles to dethrone his firmly entrenched uncle. Shakespeare ensures that Claudius is seen sympathetically as words like “to bear our hearts in grief (1.2.3)” are scripted to spill from his mouth. The fact that it was his “late dear brother’s death (1.2.19)” that made a coronation necessary evokes more pity from the people and even the reader at this time. Claudius implies a selflessness in his actions in how he had to marry Gertrude only a month after the late king’s funeral to quickly give Denmark a leader to protect the country from Norway. Claudius’ overflowing charisma is kept in Patrick Stewart’s excellent performance. Stewart is careful to portray a genial personality as he socializes with the people at the coronation, always taking care to look them in the eye as equals. It is different from the implication that Shakespeare’s Claudius simply gave a speech to the room at large, and Stewart’s version is better in how it is easier to see people approving of Claudius when he addresses them directly. The lack of music also builds up Claudius’ amiable persona. The conversations become the sole focus. While this director’s decision goes against the rowdy atmosphere of the original play, what with Claudius’ drinking game that featured cannons, it is a good way to showcase Claudius’ verbal skill. However, this skill is what stirs up suspicion in the reader. A good orator being a good liar is a reasonable assumption. The idea that someone could be as selfless as Claudius made himself out to be invites disbelief, and the circumstances behind the coronation leave plenty of speculation to foul play. Stewart’s light tone when talking of the king’s death at (1:53) is not what a mourning brother would use, especially when he ends his sentence with the condescending “so much for him”. Fratricide would not be out of the question. The constant back-and-forth shots between Hamlet and Claudius are intentionally done to stir suspicion. Hamlet, as the son of the late king, is known to be the rightful heir. Claudius’ smug grin and Hamlet’s disgruntled expression at (1:37) references this and raises the question of how Claudius became king.
Director Doran also added another layer to the otherwise flat character of Queen Gertrude. In the play it is left ambiguous as to if she was involved in King Hamlet’s murder. In fact, she is largely oblivious to most of the events of the play. Penny Downie’s portrayal shows more awareness that hints at a greater intelligence than her original character. She is noticeably uncomfortable around Claudius, such as when she stands next to him at (2:37) and when he clasped their hands together at (1:48). It is strange behavior for people who should be comfortable around each other, as they had known each other for a long time as in-laws and now as spouses. These interactions hint at Gertrude’s wariness of Claudius’ rise to power and imply that she does not know of King Hamlet’s murder. Rather than getting seduced by Claudius, it seems likely that Gertrude married him only to keep her own high station as queen of Denmark. Gertrude grows as her own complex character in Doran’s version rather than the scrap that Shakespeare left her as.
Director Doran’s version of the coronation scene is faithful and adds onto the story. His disuse of music forces focus on Claudius’ socializing and the camera work highlights tension between Hamlet and Claudius. Patrick Stewart kept a charismatic image of Claudius and believably changed his tone and expression at the right times to hint at suspicion. Penny Downie portrayed a Gertrude with more depth than the original through her reluctant and little interactions with Claudius. While there is an initial strangeness to seeing people in modern three-piece suits speaking Shakespearean English, Director Doran’s other decisions were well thought out and made for an excellent presentation of the original scene.