Hamlet -- Scene Comparisons

Film Criticism -- Mr. Shanley

We will see in class five versions of the “To be or not to be” soliloquy. After viewing each, answer the questions in groups, one set of answers for each group.

How does each version try to answer some of the questions surrounding this soliloquy?

Version 1 – 1990, dir. Franco Zeffirelli Hamlet: Mel Gibson

  1. Where is the soliloquy taking place? How is this significant to the text?
  2. Describe the lighting and set design—how are these also significant to the text?
  3. What is the effect of seeing Hamlet’s breath in the cold?
  4. Consider Gibson’s performance. What are the predominant emotions he is portraying, and how is his performance significant to the text?
  5. Overall, what do you think Zeffirelli thinks this soliloquy means?

Version 2 – 1996, dir. Kenneth Branagh Hamlet: Kenneth Branagh

  1. Where is Hamlet looking while he speaks? How is this significant to the text?
  2. What is the effect of Claudius and Polonius seeing this from behind the mirror?
  3. Describe the lighting and set design—how is this also significant to the text?
  4. Consider Branagh’s performance. What are the predominant emotions he is portraying, and how is his performance significant to the text?
  5. Overall, what do you think Branagh thinks this soliloquy means?

Version 3 – 1948, dir. Laurence Olivier Hamlet: Laurence Olivier

  1. The scene begins with the camera apparently going through the back of Hamlet’s head—what is Olivier trying to say with this shot?
  2. Why does Hamlet drop the knife into the sea?
  3. What is the effect of Hamlet walking into the fog at the end of the scene?
  4. Consider Olivier’s performance. What are the predominant emotions he is portraying, and how is his performance significant to the text?
  5. Overall, what do you think Olivier thinks this soliloquy means?

Version 4 – 1990, dir. Kevin Kline and Kirk Browning Hamlet: Kevin Kline

  1. Describe the lighting—how is this significant to the text?
  2. What is the camera doing during the scene? Describe the editing as well. What is the significance of these two elements to the text?
  3. Consider Kline’s performance. What are the predominant emotions he is portraying, and how is his performance significant to the text?
  4. Overall, what do you think Kline thinks this soliloquy means?

Version 5 – 2000, dir. Michael Almereyda Hamlet: Ethan Hawke

  1. Where is the soliloquy taking place? How is this significant to the text?
  2. Describe Hamlet’scostume—how is this also significant to the text?
  3. Why does Hamlet deliver half of the soliloquy aloud, and half in voice-over?
  4. Consider Hawke’s performance. What are the predominant emotions he is portraying, and how is his performance significant to the text?
  5. Overall, what do you think Almereyda thinks this soliloquy means?

Consider—Which do you think is the better version? Why?