Kenneth Branagh Hamlet Analysis Essay

“To be or not to be, that is the question.” This line is arguably Shakespeare’s most famous, and it comes from Hamlet, specifically from scene 3.1. In this scene, Prince Hamlet gives an impassioned soliloquy on the meaning of life and contemplates suicide. He then encounters his lover Ophelia, who tries to renounce her feelings for him as a part of a scheme created by King Claudius to uncover the motives behind Hamlet’s odd behavior. Hamlet soon realizes this plot and bursts into a fit of rage against Ophelia, exhibiting his ‘insanity’ for everyone to see. This scene is essential to the plot of Hamlet as it clarifies many of the characters’ motives and intentions, as well as progressing and intensifying Hamlet and Claudius’ plots against each

He also seems to suggest that it is Hamlet’s anger and desire for revenge that lead him to his ultimate demise at the end of the story. The first way Branagh does this throughout the film is by using very traditional sets and costumes that portray the time period in which the play was set. These visual details were especially emphasized because today’s audience isn’t as familiar with the clothing and styles of that time, so they are able to pull the audience in and make them take notice of symbolic details. The main symbol utilized by Branagh was the color schemes of each character. He made Hamlet wear all simple, black clothing while having the rest of the characters wear colorful outfits with extravagant details. The color black is commonly associated with anger and darkness, showing Hamlet’s constant state of mind throughout the film. The outfits also provided contrast, supporting the sense of tension and resentment the prince held with the other characters. Another way that Branagh’s traditional approach was displayed in the scene was through the camera work. He added a lot of wider shots, as well as lots of fluidity and movement between characters, similar to what a member of an audience would have experienced when watching Shakespeare’s play live. These shots aid in illustrating the complex emotion and tension between the characters.

The first and most obvious of Almereyda’s additions is the modernization of the film, setting it in current times. For instance, the film is set in New York City, and Gertrude and Claudius are CEOs of a large company rather than being royalty. The characters also use modern technology like cell phones and computers. These modern features are more familiar to modern audiences than traditional versions of Hamlet, making it easier for the audience to grasp the ideas being conveyed in the film. One important idea is the portrayal of Hamlet’s emotions in the film, as they are conveyed very differently than those of traditional versions. He shows more feelings of internal sadness and loneliness, rather than being angry towards others. By using a modern world instead of a historical one, Almereyda is able to express how in an evolving society with technology everywhere, one is increasingly more likely to undergo feelings of isolation and despair in everyday life. The director also emphasizes Hamlet’s sadness even further through the use of close-up shots. For example, while Ophelia is being strapped with a microphone so Claudius and Polonius can spy on Hamlet, they zoom into her face during a moment of silence to show a teardrop falling down her cheek. This is done multiple times throughout scene 3.1, portraying the