DT To be or not to be?

            As of recent, our class read the “to be or not to be” speech, and followed it up by watching the scene in different versions of the movie like we did with the ghost scene. Our task was to analyze these scenes to see how the director puts them together and show what I think about the scenes.

            Beginning with the Oliver version of the scene, I found it a little more emotional than the other versions. The scene takes place on a cloudy night, on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and this really shows how easy it would be for Hamlet to just end his life. All he would need to do is jump, and this adds to the meaning of the soliloquy. The ocean is also rumbling down below him, symbolizing Hamlet’s struggle and inner thoughts. The only background sounds that can be heard are the ocean and the wind as Hamlet delivers his lines. This adds a dramatic effect to the scene as well as making the tone of the scene a little darker. Another thing that I would like to point out is how close Hamlet came to stabbing himself. Combined with the already dark tone the scene creates, this version is very well made and holds true to the original play.

             The second version, or the Zeffirelli version, is my favorite of the four. The scene takes place in the catacombs of the castle, which adds to Hamlet’s speech. The entire room is shrouded in darkness, except for the one lit-up coffin in the center of the room, which is presumably, Hamlet’s father. The light symbolizes how death might be the best choice for Hamlet and will give him the least struggle. This leaves a difficult and meaningful choice that is deeper than what is shown in the other versions. There is also no sound or music track while Hamlet is delivering his lines, most likely to emphasize the meaning of his speech and make it resonate within the viewer, more that what the other versions seemed to do.

            The Branaugh version of the scene is the most creative in my opinion. Hamlet is in his room while giving the speech, but he is speaking to himself through his image in a mirror. Make makes it ever more interesting is the fact that the king is spying on him through the same mirror, which deepens the entire play. The scene is very emotional due to the fact that Hamlet is speaking directly to himself, making his thought process seem much deeper. The camera slowly zooms into the mirror where the color is only gray and bland, except for Hamlet’s image. This could symbolize Hamlet’s struggle against the world. There is also a slow music track in the background noises to give the scene a dark atmosphere.

             The last version we watched was the Almereyda version, and this was the version I liked the least. I found it to be a little bland in comparison to the other three versions. Hamlet in this version seems to be walking as in a trance, through a Blockbuster video store. It just feels a little over the top for me. It might be because the modern day interpretation of the film is out of place with the scene. There were also a few hidden details in the scene just like with the ghost scene, but these were more hidden and might slip past a few viewers. Compared to the others, this version was lacking and lost my interest.