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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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