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To Be Or Not To Be Soliloquy Analysis Essay

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Raymond Wu Mr. Butash English January 30, 2015 To be or not to be the most effective: A Comparative Analysis on “To be or not to be” in the Cinematography of Hamlet The famous “to be or not to be” soliloquy in the third act of Hamlet has been interpreted, and reinterpreted in many different ways in the world of cinematography. Each feature a unique style of visuals and audios that allows audiences to see Shakespeare’s work through the director’s perception. To recognize which reincarnation is the most effective, we must first understand the character, conflict, and the theme. We know that the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet, is a very internally conflicted individual and is heavily burdened by the irreversible task of avenging his father. We also know that he is a thinker- dealing with psychological stress, melancholy, and the overshadowing of madness. In the famous “to be or not to be” speech, Hamlet is supposedly in his most private moments, in deep thought, contemplating on his life- whether he should perish or not. For the purpose of the comparison, the effectiveness of elements would have four main guidelines: …show more content…

In contrast to Zeffirelli’s scene, this scene, is very highly illuminated with high key lighting, which seems like the wrong place to be thinking about suicide. The gem in this scene however, is the mirror. The mirror is the focus of the scene, we get an over the shoulder camera angle that slowly zoom from a medium shot to a close-up of the mirror image of Hamlet. The mirror translated his insanity as he was talking to himself and soon later, even pointing a dagger at himself as someone does to an enemy. Just like Hamlet, the viewers would get lost in his words as well as his mirror image. The two way mirror could also be a symbol that represents the fragility of life or the barrier that’s stopping Hamlet from murdering his uncle (could the barrier be

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In Branagh’s version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the ‘To be, or not to be’ speech is interpreted differently than other actors’. Branagh’s character, Hamlet, knows he is being watched by Claudius and Polonius. His disclosure about not committing suicide for fear of the afterlife is part of his plan to keep Claudius at bay until he can convince himself that Claudius is the assassin and find a way to get revenge. The set of this scene includes mirrors and mirrored doors but it is difficult to tell them apart. These are used very intriguingly by Branagh.

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The best portrayal of Hamlet’s “To Be, Or Not To Be” soliloquy is the Kenneth Branagh interpretation of the scene because, in my opinion, Branagh does the best to demonstrate Hamlet’s feelings of madness through his tone and body language. Even though Branagh’s speech is quite slow, and in my opinion too slow, the speed at which he is speaking allows him to place more emphasis on the topics that drive Hamlet insane, such as “Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, The pangs of despised love, the law's delay…” The slow listings of these flaws Hamlet sees in today’s world places emphasis on each and every one, as well as an emphasis on the total flaws themselves. Branagh also does an excellent job of demonstrating Hamlet’s madness

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He begins to question the moral and ethical implications of seeking revenge. Through the use of monologues,Shakespeare gives us a glimpse into Hamlet's inner life. In Act III, Scene 1, Hamlet delivers his famous monologue, "To Be or Not to Be," in which he ponders the meaning of revenge and the meaning of life itself. This introspective speech uses metaphors and rhetorical questions to convey Hamlet's inner conflict. For example, the tropes of "slingshots and arrows of unimaginable destiny" emphasize the unpredictability and harshness of life, leading Hamlet to wonder if suffering is more sublime than acting.

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Hamlet’s “To be or Not to be” soliloquy, played by Kenneth Branagh, is threatening. Branagh’s character seems as though he is speaking to those behind the mirror, as he is addressing the mirror. His desire is for his speech to sound like a threat. To accomplish this tone, Branagh speaks in a slow, effective whisper and uses serious facial expressions throughout the scene. This casts an eerie presence over the audience and depicts Hamlet’s mental state.

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In Hamlet, Shakespeare presented Hamlet as the prince of Denmark. When he arrive his home, he found his beloved father, the king of Denmark, is already dead. Again, his mothers marriage with his uncle came to him bolt from the blue. It was unbearable for him to accept that his parents’ conjugal bed is being shared. Then the trauma started that ended into death.

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Throughout the Zeffirelli and Branagh adaptations of Hamlet and the actual text itself, a variety of different views can be

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He expresses his feeling in his “heart, for I must hold my tongue” (1.2.160). This is an important quote because it is important to understand because it allows to the reader to see that Hamlet cannot speak to anyone about how he feels. As an effect to his decision of not speaking out, this allowed for rage and discomfort to grow inside him which will be one of the main reasons as to why he is legitimately going insane. With these various stressors in his life, it gives more evidence and reasoning to why he often experienced constant signs of depression and suicidal thoughts. The signs of distress he showed throughout the play are highlighted tremendously since he experienced major signs of depression.

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Hamlet’s perspective causes him to stall and make excuses as to why he should wait to kill Claudius such as waiting till Claudius has sin, in order to ensure that he wouldn’t go to heaven. His perspective on life through his soliloquy “to be or not to be” allows us as readers to interpret to the development of Hamlet’s character. It reveals his inner thoughts and adds more quality to the play. In this soliloquy, Hamlet is contemplating suicide, but is haunted by the unknowns of the

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His actions seem as though he is trying to instill fear in someone, making it seem as though he knows someone is watching. Throughout the soliloquy Hamlet is only seen through the mirror, only his back is shown at the beginning which eventually is only himself in the mirror. This represents a false person. It is not truly Hamlet, only his reflection.   Hamlet pulls out a dagger, and a flash of Claudius’ fearful face is shown.

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Hamlet’s ability to overthink situations or decisions makes him conclude that committing suicide might be the easy way out of his indecisiveness. Hamlet overthinks every problem that is happening. He overthinks so much that he cannot make up his decision about what to do with the problem. The cluelessness that is going on within his mind makes him lose his mental status, life and the love of his life. Hamlets actions are hypnotized by his thoughts: “Thus Conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pitch and moment, With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action” (3.1.85-90).

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