Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Hamlet Act 1 Scene 3



Michael Almereyda's Hamlet (2000) with Julia Stiles, Liev Schreiber & Bill Murray.

You have until Feb 27th @ noon to complete this assignment.

It is worth 100 points and will be graded with the APE Rubric.

Objective: Watch the performance above of a potion of Act 1 Scene 3 and crtique the director's interpretation of the scene.

Your critique of the video must be based on your knowledge and understanding of the passage, so you must provide textual evidence from Hamlet as well as provide descriptions of the video. I can't watch the video and read your post at the same time, so you need to make me see what you see with your words. It will also help you to take notes on the video while you watch it. Pay attention to what you captures your attention. Notice what you notice! (Hint: Watch the video more than once.)

Pay attention to:

  • delivery of the lines
  • imagery the setting / scenery
  • the portrayal of the actor (characterization)
  • lighting & camera effects
  • sound effects or music
  • etc--the list could keep going

You should make sure to develop a sophisticated thesis. Post in the comment stream of the video you choose below. It should be about 1,000 words (use your best judgement in either direction--this is a recommendation, not a requirement. It should be as long as it takes to develop your thesis.)

Edit and put spaces between paragraphs before you post please!

16 comments:

Kyle G. 6 said...

Act 1 Scene 3


In the book Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet’s father has been killed by his Uncle Claudius. In the story of Hamlet, Hamlet is in love with a girl named Ophelia. Ophelia is the sister of Laertes. In act 1 scene 3, Laertes is preparing to leave. Before Laertes leaves, he first has a conversation with his sister, Ophelia. The movie scene begins with Ophelia holding a picture of Hamlet. Her brother then gives Ophelia the speech in which he tells her she shouldn’t jump into a relationship with Hamlet but to be patient. After that Polonius appears, Laertes packs his bag, and then leaves. After reading act 1 scene 3, and watching the scene on the computer, and knowing information on the style William Shakespeare uses, I do not think that the director of the movie has portrayed the movie accurately to go along with the book.

To begin with, the director of the movie has taken the characters and made them less important compared to the characters in the book. In the book, at the beginning of the scene, it says how Laertes is “in his chambers” preparing to leave. In the movie, Laertes appears to be in an office surrounded by a lot of books and papers. Knowing about Shakespeare, he rarely used music in his plays while the characters were speaking, but in the movie, if you listen closely you can hear what sounds like rock and roll music playing in the background. It appears that the director of this movie has made this movie to current with the rock and roll music playing in the background. Besides the music, there also appears to be too many props in the scene for it to be a Shakespeare story. The scene from the movie begins with Ophelia holding onto a picture. Then Polonius shows up. Laertes and Polonius are using suit cases, jackets, and clothing. In the scene from the book, they barely use any props, but in the movie they are using 4 or 5.

The second reason why I do not think the director of this film portrayed this classic story accurately was because of the tone of the characters delivering the lines. In the movie, Ophelia’s character is very quiet. She also seems to be angry at her brother. The book is very different. In the book, she acts more curious. She asks laertes a lot of questions. On line 5 she asks Laertes “do you doubt that?” after he is done speaking. Then in line 12 she asks “no more but so?” In the book, Ophelia seems like she is asking Laertes for help, but in the movie, Laertes is trying to help his sister and she is acting very quiet and angry like she does not like what her brother has to say. In the book, she stands with Laertes and asks him questions, in the movie while Laertes is talking; she stands up and walks around angrily. Another part of the scene that is very different is the tone Ophelia uses when Laertes is done telling her what she should do about Hamlet. In lines 40-49, Ophelia says, “I shall effect of this good lesson keep as watchmen to my heart. But, good my brother, do, not, as some ungracious pastors do. . . show me the steep and thorny way to heaven. . .” The way Ophelia responds to Laertes in the book is very different than the way she responded in the movie. In the book, Ophelia sounds great full that Laertes is trying to help her. In the movie, she is walking around angrily, and she is talking to laertes in a sarcastic, angry manner.

Another reason why the movie scene for Act 1 scene 3 is way different than the movie was also because of the way Laertes leaves Ophelia. In line 90, Laertes uses the same line. He says, “farewell, Ophelia, and remember well, what I have said to you.” Laertes is telling Ophelia to remember what he was telling her, and listen to him. In the book, Ophelia responds by saying on lines 91-92, “tis in my memory locked, and you yourself shall keep the key of it.” In the book, Ophelia is telling her brother Laertes that she will obey and listen to what he says. The movie is very different. At the end of the movie, Laertes says “remember well what I have said to you,” and Ophelia doesn’t even say her line. Instead, she looks a t the camera without saying a word to her brother. She appears to look like she is holding a grudge towards Laertes for telling her to not have sexual relations with Hamlet.

Even though the way the directory of the movie portrayed the book was very inaccurate. There were also a lot of similarities. For example, a lot of the lines in the movie lined up exactly to the lines in the book, including the long speech Laertes gives Ophalia. The director of the movie did a good job turning this classic story of Hamlet a modern story, but it was way too inaccurate. The director of the movie completely changed Ophelia’s character. In the book, Ophelia seems more like a little sister asking her older brother for help, but in the movie, Ophelia is an independent woman who clearly is angry that her brother is trying to tell her what to do. Also in my opinion, the director of this movie made the story too current compared to the book. The director used too many props, and too many stage techniques like the rock and roll music played during Laertes’ speech. That is why I think that the way the director portrayed this classic story was very inaccurate compared to the book.

Brittany K. 6 said...

Hamlet is a famous play written by William Shakespeare. Many present day directors have written and re-written his play in order to make it interesting and allow for people to understand what is actually going on. Many of the movies that are made from plays takeaway from the original play itself because the acting styles and movie itself are usually very different from the original play. They also have made his play available in movies such as the one directed by Michael Almereyda's. His movie starred Julia Stiles, Liev Schreiber & Bill Murray as the three Main characters. This movie is very modenerized compared to how the actual play is written. In the movie the actors are all wearing pants and regular shirts including the main female character. This doesn’t seem abnormal to the audience but it does when you compare it to the book. When reading Hamlet you mainly envision all of the characters in old fashion clothes and in houses that didn’t have electricity or modernized books and all.

In Act 1 Scene 3 Laertes and Ophelia and having a conversation. Laertes is saying his goodbyes to his beloved sister and as he says his goodbyes he also was warning her about her beloved Hamlet. In the book he seems to be very serious about the matter at hand. He wants his sister to be responsible and watch out because guys who are in love may do crazy things. It seems to be a very intense scene in the book. He says, “Or lose your heart or your chaste treasure open.” (Pg. 41, Line 35) He is really telling his sister that he wants her to be safe and that he wants her to know what she is getting herself into. When Polonius enters he does the same thing that Laertes does and he makes sure to warn his daughter about Hamlet as well. The movie had a very different take on this scene. The first few seconds of the movie you realize that the setting is very different from what you picture in the book. They are talking in a house it is very modernized. There are books all around and even the characters are dressed like they would be today. The scene in which this movie portrays is almost taken away from because of the location and everything around it. When reading Hamlet and seeing Ophelia and Laertes having a brotherly sisterly talk you don’t picture them in a modern day living room you picture them in a castle in a stone room with old fashion clothes and things of that nature. The way the actors give the emotions to each line also takes away from the original play. It looks almost rehearsed. It also looks as though the actress who is playing Ophelia doesn’t much care for the words of Laertes. You also get the impression throughout the book. “But, good my brother, Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, show me the steep and thorny way to heaven .” (Pg. 43 Line 50-53) This is one of her many responses to her brothers speech it is almost like she is telling him that she will listen but don’t just tell me what to do make sure you follow what you say as well. Through the movie she seems like she is almost being sarcastic which is the kind of feel you get from the book. At the beginning of the scene she is looking at a picture of Hamlet, it allows us to realize who he is talking about because in the movie he says no name of Hamlets but just keeps talking about how he may break her heart or leave her for another. women. In the movie Ophelia and Laertes seem rather close while talking. He is almost whispering the lines to her even before their father came downstairs it makes you think there is something very secretive going on between the two of them. He stops talking once his father comes downstairs it makes you wonder why he stopped talking as his father came downstairs. You can’t see this point of view through the book but it is made clear through the movie. When Polonius and his son are talking its as though they really aren’t listening in the movie he is still getting ready to leave and than they hug good bye. It is weird how they all act toward each other in the movie. Its very different from what the image the book presents is. The music chosen for the movie is also very modern and not exactly right for the speech. The music almost changes the whole way the book is portrayed. The music is like elevator music and some of it s almost provocative and makes the scene in the movie completely different from that in the book. When I picture Laertes talking to his sister I almost imagine that he is speaking louder so that what he says she will her. He is almost whispering to her the whole time and when their father enters he says nothing more. He whispers in his ear before he leaves its all very different from the book.

The way the play is portrayed in this movie is completely different from how Shakespeare wrote it. It as though the director modernized everything and it takes away from the whole play and the meaning of the words. It takes away from the actors in the book as well. In the book they seem to have so much emotion and passion when they speak and yet in the movie its not like that at all and there is even music in the back ground. There wasn’t much background music in Shakespeare’s time. Plays that are modernized seem to be interpreted different from what they where actually meant to be.

Yinzhen, Wu said...

In the act 1 scene 3 of the book Hamlet by William Shakespeare, it talks about Laertes is preparing to leave Denmark. Before he leaves, the book begin with he has a conversation with her sister Ophelia about his opinion on her relationship with Hamlet. He warning to Ophelia do not falls in love with Hamlet by hearing his sweet words, and advices Ophelia shouldn’t has any relationship with Hamlet by telling her that Hamlet love and interest on her only is short-term feeling, and will not be forever. When I watching the video by the director Michael Almereyda, it begin with Ophelia hold a picture of Hamlet in the beginning of the video and then her brother Laertes sit next to her on bed and give advices about her relationship with Hamlet. Ophelia seems not to accepts his brother saying about Hamlet. After Polonius is appears, Laertes takes the opportunity to stop his conversation with Ophelia, and go to packs his bag. In comparation way on reading the book and watching the video of act 1 scene3, I think there are some differences between the way that Shakespeare uses in word to express the content of the book and the way that the director uses to make the vidoe. Based on the comparison, I think the director of the video is modenerized the actual play is written and do not portrayed accurately on the content that Shakespeare written.

In the beginning of the video, I think the director Michael Almereyda do not portrayed accurately and excellent on the setting of the scene by uses the content of book. When the video begin, I see the background is a room surrounded by a lot of books and papers and the room looks as modern as we have now in the life. Also, the characters wear very casual and their dresses are modern in the video. Knowing about the time when Shakespeare publish this book is in a old shool society, I don’t think the furniture and furnishings will not be as trendy as the video shown. When I reading the book, I think of the characters in the book will be wear old fashion clothes. Here, it make me feel the director make the video takes away some part from the book. Then I hear the conversasion in the video when Laertes talks to Ophelia, the person who acts Laertes talks about his opinion about the relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet to Ophelia, and uses some simple and very universal that we often say in the daily life. Here, it cause the audience lost their expect sense on William Shakespeare's writing. Even I can see the emotion of Laertes when he talks to Ophelia, but I still can’t get the feeling on Shakespeare’s writing technique by watch the video. In the book of William Shakespeare, Laertes uses looks very difficult for readers to understand the words that Shakespeare wants to express the readers, but these words to allow readers to see the standard literature. For example in the book, Laertes says to Ophelia: “For Hamlet and the trifling of his favour, Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood, A violet in the youth of primy nature, Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting, the perfume and suppliance of a minute; No more.”(Lines 6-10) Even the words that Shakespeare uses will make you feel confused, but otherwise you can see about how good is his writing techniques to expresses the meant and the feeling that he actually want to expresses to the readers.

In addition, the way the director portrayed the play by make this video is completely different from how Shakespeare wrote about the content in the book. In the video, I can hear some background music while the characters are talking to each other. But compare to the content that Shakespeare wrote in the book, I can see that he rarely used music in his plays while the characters are speak to each other. This make me think about the director just add some of his own thinking into the content that Shakespeare prodide in the book. Also, when Laertes talks to Ophelia, she doesn’t look at the person acts Laertes and she looks angry on what her brother say, and she acts like doesn’t much care for the words of Laertes and not accept on her brother’s warning about her beloved Hamlet. She just sit very quietly to listen what Laertes says to her and some moment she stand and walking around the room. But in the book, Ophelia has some respondand questions to Laertes while he talks her. When Laertes warning her doesn’t not beloved with Hamlet, she responds to Laerte: “But, good my brother, Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, show me the steep and thorny way to heaven .” (Lines 50-53) She tells Laertes she will listen to his opinions, but she hopes her brother don’t just teach her what to do make sure and make sure himself will be do everything correctly, too. But in the video, I see the expression on the girl who acts Ophelia, she looks like do not agree and not satisfied with why her brother can teaching her about the relationship is not related to him. Also, she tries to warning her brother do not to do something wrong in the future as he teaching her. Compare to the video and book, I think the director and modernized everything and takes away the meaning of the words and the expression of the actors from the book. In the book, I can see a lot writing technique of the author and the emotion from the characters when they speak to each other. Also, there is not much music background as the video show to us. The video seems modernized the book, but also the director of the vidoe add some his own think into movie cause it interpreted different meant from the book actually want to expresses to the readers.

Molly B 7 said...

Hamlet is about a teen that lost his father, who is now coming back as a ghost to tell the real story of what had happened to him during the vicious murder. Now hamlet lives with his mother and uncle who are now his step father and the King. Ophelia is a girl who is basically daughter of the arch nemesis Polonius, and is basically falling in love with Hamlet. During Act 1 scene 3 of Hamlet, Laretes is talking to Ophelia his kid sister about Hamlet and how he is a bad influence on her and why he should not pursue him. Although it’s contemporary in the settings, they are still talking old English. Still very confusing to me. Although Laretez is talking to Ophelia his sister, his eyes are talking more than his words making it seem as though he likes her and doesn’t want her to have anyone else. The thing’s he says to her is not normal conversation for a brother and sister to have.

I don’t understand why he makes it such a big deal about Hamlet. When he himself is going off to college to see a lot of girls. Talking about her safety doesn’t make much sense to me either because it’s just a crush, maybe the family is just really protective about their siblings. The house they are in makes me thing that they would be talking regular English and are in about our time in 2009. Everything seems so contemporary including their clothing style I was expecting something more on the lines of older clothing, different hair styles, different houses, or even different inside the house. This scene just seems not like the book. Besides the words and the way they are talking, I just think of something completely different when I read the book to when I watch it in real life. For example, while the brother and sister were talking I was expecting them to be in a dark room, with no one or anything around them. Then I watch the movie scene and it is 100 percent different, a light setting books around them and they are not alone they are in the open basically. I don’t think the director of this film really made my eyes pop out from being so good. I believe he could have made a lot of different choices in what he did. Hamlet is supposed to be a long time ago and I’m thinking of this now happening sometime around this time. The director of this film could have definitely done a better job then what he did because I couldn’t see this coming right from the play. Besides some similarities, there was mostly difference between the play and the video scene. Maybe he could have made it more out of the play then contemporary.

When I think of hamlet I think of dark places, women in dresses, men in suits and capes, not clothing I would wear. He made the house look very played out and also there were many books, too many props that weren’t needed to be added were added. So in my opinion Hamlet the play in writing is much better than the video.

Yulin W7 said...

In act one scene three of Hamlet by the most famous writer William Shakespearet . Laertes, the son of Polonius who works for the king is about to going to school. But before leaving, he is having a talk with his lovely sister Ophelia that is fall in love with Hamlet, the son of King Denmark who passed away and turned into a ghost. That Laertes is trying to tell Ophelia should not fall for Hamlet. Because first, he might turn on her, that he’s love to her in not long enough. Second, he has no choice to marry with whoever he wants. Because the king might as him to marry a princess or whoever the king wants him to marry. And final even he marry with her, he needs to go to fight for the kingdom. What if he is die during the war, that she might stay along by herself forever with a name of widow. That’s why she should not fall for Hamlet for all, and before she lost all her honor as a virgin she should stay away from him. And with the enter of Polonius, Laertes leaves with saying good bye to her.

And in the movie that produced by Michael Almereyda's Hamlet (2000). Showing a really different Hamlet for what I know in my knowledge of Hamlet. Because in my knowledge, Hamlet should be a old traditional story what with old fashion clothes, and weapons. But for this movie, from lightings and settings to how the actors performs the movie are totally new for a first time to me. It is all showing in a 21st time.

First the actors. They began with Ophelia holdding a black and white picture of Hamlet having a camera in the hands. Then Laertes is sitting next to her up close on a dinning table and talking about the relationship now she having with Hamlet. and Ophelia is eating gum in her mouth. And she stand up, walk away to throw out her gum with a paper she pick up on a side table while Laertes is saying “his greatness weighed, his will is nor his own, for he himself is subject to his birth.” Showing those words are not the one she want to hear. Also I don’t think during Shakespeare’s time have gum. But gum do showing s good character of a person that do not want to be control by other people. Also it is showing by the red outfit of her and the emotion she showing on her face. And the way Laertes act, like he is love Ophelia with his heart. After, Polonius show up. And I saw he put money into the jacket of Laertes, and it is really showing the love of a father to his son. And it does not showing in the book. But , Michael Almereyda is trying to showing what Polonius said: “costly thy habit as thy pure can buy, but not expressed in fancy (rich, not gaudy), for the apparel oft proclaims the man, and they in France of the best rank and station are of a most select and generous chief in that.” ( line 76-80) That really showing the caring of a father, that want a son could having enough money when he is going a school for a long time. And at the end, Laertes is hugging Polonius. And Polonius is showing a “ well, my son finally grow up as a man” face . Then when he is hugging Ophelia. He took the hair kip on her hair. That show more feeling about Laertes to Ophelia may not just the feeling of sister and brother. Those did not show in the book, and Michael Almereyda is trying up put what he/she’s own ideas in to this.

Second, the music. When I was watch the movie, there is a background music keep going and going. It was some kind of jazz or mix music. It is really freaky and showing the strange talk they having right now. And it is the kind of music come up when the danger is coming in the movies we watch in our life. That meaning being careful, and stop thing bad might star really bad. It can also showing the emotion that both Laertes and Ophelia having. Because they might turn out a huge fight for this topic about Hamlet. And it is specially for Ophelia. Because we can see she is really piss off and still try to not be mad at her brother. I shall he effect of this good lesson keep as watchman to my heart. But good my brother, do not as some ungracious pastors do. Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven.”(line 49-53) And this music it really showing how things may turn into a bad way. But of course, when we watch a play, there always music while the actors sings. Maybe Michael Almereyda is trying a make a little joke on this movie. Because it is came out from a play.

Finally, the setting. It is in a big house that at least have three levels that full of books. With glass floor and chair. It all shows really modern and how wealth this family is. And by the books on the wall. It is telling this family have look at knowledge as a very important thing to have. Because Polonius is working as the right hand of the king. He must have very a lot things have to know and do. But the end, is it really a new thing for me. Because for Hamlet, there are no music or details. And I can not know what William Shakespearet‘s Hamlet really is. And by this movie, I can really see something new of Hamlet by putting the new idea of Michael Almereyda’s own. And it is really a new way to showing in a new style. And this is my very own options for this movie. It is really having a different meaning and style for what I read. But it is really fun to see it in real person.

Oscar R7 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JohnN7 said...

In act one scene three of Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the father Polonius, the son Laertes, and the daughter Ophelia are a family. Laertes plans to go back to Paris to pursue education in college. Ophelia at this point in the play is known to have a crush on Hamlet, the prince of Denmark. The play also reveals that Hamlet is in love with Ophelia. Watching act one scene three from a director’s point of view has several differences compared to the play. The director suggests that tone and angles of the camera portrays the meaning of the scene. After watching the video, I feel that the director made act one scene three well in comparison to the play of Hamlet because of the feeling the scene gives to the audience.

In the play, Hamlet and Ophelia admires one another. Laertes is Ophelia’s older brother who is leaving Denmark. Before he leaves, he talks with Ophelia in this scene about love and affection because of Hamlet. Hamlet seems to be a problem for Laertes because he does not want Ophelia to be hurt. In the beginning of the video, Laertes says, “Perhaps he loves you now, and now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch The virtue of his will; but you must fear, his greatness weighed, his will is not his own, For he himself is subject to birth.” I feel that this beginning is clever with a forward tone of voice because it feels as if it’s a wakeup call for Ophelia. I feel that the director making Ophelia stare at the portrait of Hamlet in the beginning right before Laertes talk to her is also brilliant because it sets the subject. Laertes is obviously feeling that Hamlet is not the man Ophelia should fall for. Laertes is basically telling Ophelia that Hamlet does not have a choice to choose his own princess. It was fate at birth and fate at marriage because he is prince. The princess is chosen and agreed by the current king and queen so that the new princess can be in throne. Royalty is always at the top in the time period. The delivery of Laertes in this video gives a tone of sympathy and concern. Laertes shows his place by being a true brother to Ophelia. After finishing this quote, Ophelia rises up from her seat and walks towards the book shelf which gives a feeling of annoyance in Ophelia’s part. This most likely tells the audience that she’s a woman and can handle her own situations, but Laertes is looking after Ophelia. After Ophelia is standing at the book shelf, Laertes puts his head down to give a feel of disappointment because Ophelia seems like she’s refusing to listen. The director setting up this movement is a good idea because it makes the audience feel like they’re actually in the scene. The movements also give emotion and power of the relationship between the two. Ophelia sitting back down after this happens shows that she is listening at this point and is taking Laertes advice into consideration. Laertes then says, “Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain if with too credent ear you list his songs or lose your heart or your chaste treasure open to his unmastered opportunity. Fear it, Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister, and keep you in the rear of your affection, out of the shot and danger of desire. Be wary, then; best safety lies in fear. Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.” Laertes also says this in the play. He tells Ophelia not to lose her honor, and her virginity which is her pride fortune. Laertes is telling Ophelia not to give herself away to Hamlet her most prize possession. Ophelia then says, “I shall the effect of this good lesson keep as watchman to my heart. But, good my brother, do not, as some ungracious pastors do, show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine, himself the primrose path of dalliance treads and recks not his own rede.” While Ophelia says this, she also nods at the same time meaning she understands what Laertes is saying. She also says thank you to her dear brother, and even though Laertes gives her this advice, he should follow his own advice. Ophelia at this point has an understanding of Laertes.

The setting of the white room seems perfect for the lighting of the room. White represents neutrality. The color sense of being neutral gives a feeling to the two characters, Laertes and Ophelia. I feel that the director choosing the white room for a setting fits the scene because even though they are brothers and sisters, they are both neutral meaning that they can decide on their instincts. The feeling of neutrality is like being in the middle of good and bad. It gives the audience a feel of curiosity, but being at a normal state because of the white room. The director gives the character of Laertes a blue shirt. The color blue represents calm feeling which blends in with the neutral room. Blue can also represent romance in this scene because of their bond being brother and sister. Laertes is lecturing Ophelia giving her a perspective of Hamlet. Ophelia is wearing red in this scene which also symbolizes love. It also symbolizes lust, but not anger. Ophelia having the color red sticks out to the video but blends in with the white room. As Ophelia is listening to Laertes, she seems to act confused at the same time which is brilliant in portraying the scene. Laertes and Ophelia both has an inside shirt which is also white. The dominant inside color blends with the neutral room along with their given colors. The director also chooses to have a close up shot throughout most of the scene. This shot lets the audience see the characters facials expressions and have the feeling at the same time of the deliverance of the lines. Polonius entering in gray gives a dull feeling. Also entering in a suit makes him seem successful. The director choosing these two characteristics for Polonius seems appropriate for the scene. Also, at the same time when Polonius enter, the camera is faced towards the ceiling, which gives Polonius a superior feel because he’s on top, while the two characters are on the bottom. This action was also an appropriate choose for this scene.

Polonius entering, Laertes gives Ophelia a farewell kiss showing affection. I feel that the director overall did a well done job with act one scene three because it captures the most of the scene between Ophelia and Laertes. Comparing this video and with the scene in the play, I feel that the director portrays this scene throughout the characters and tone of feel dominantly. The director’s main goal is to make the audience feel what the scene is having, and I feel that he uses most of the right angles and shots for the characters in this scene. It was calm, not too flashy, not too fast, understandable for the scene, and gives emotion to the audience.

Oscar R7 said...

In the book the imagery used is from many years ago, when we read Shakespeare our mind pictures settings and people from the old days, old types of: dresses, haircut, and housing.

In this video, act 1 scene 3. We are presented with many modern things; the setting is also very modern, the characters are wearing pants, shirts hanging out of their jeans, and jackets. It takes place in a new and sophisticated apartment, this apartment has a library, It would be normal, for the author to make these decisions if this was a regular movie, but since this is a movie based on a play I think the whole setting of the movie is wrong, this movie is bad not only for the people that watch it after reading the play but specially to the ones that watch it and haven’t read the play, the reason is that when people see this movie they think that it takes place in the time where people have freedoms, they say what they want, they even use street language, and they talk confidently to their relatives, but in the movie they use a sophisticated language, they cut words, and the characters call their dad my lord. But they are still wearing normal clothes from this century. These things are perturbing to me since I don’t connect the setting and language with the time where the movie is taking place.

When I read the play I got a sense that Laertes was trying to talk bad about hamlet just because he didn’t like him, or maybe to protect his sister from getting hurt, but when I saw the movie I get the sense that the author is trying to make Laertes have a personal reason to say this things, like if he was jealous, I thought that he was looking at Ophelia with passion and desire which doesn’t agree with the play because it never even suggest that he wants something with her, the reason I saw it in the movie is the way he looks at her but also when he is leaving he hugs her with desire and he even takes something from her hair, this is very sketchy about the Laertes in the movie but very different from the play.

Ophelia in the play keeps a nice behavior she doesn’t let any of her brother’s advice to perturb her mind, she even uses sarcasm as a way to tell her brother use your own advice and stop giving me it, when she says “do not, as some gracious pastors do, show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine, himself the primrose path of dalliance treads and recks not his own rede.” When she said this I picture her making fun of her brother for being such an advice giver not following his own advice. In the video the director makes the choice to portray Ophelia as nervous and quite, I think that’s an awful choice because Ophelia is the strong character the one responding to everything her brother says not the quiet and worried little girl that the director portrays. Also in the play her brother seems to be hurt by Ophelia’s answer and he says “fear me not” but in the movie the directors makes Laertes laugh after it, this is nothing like the play.


Polonius seems in the play as a person who doesn’t really care about stuff, he just says things because he talks a lot. In the movie he is portray as a caring father who is really worried about her son leaving to college, this changes the way the viewer sees Polonius because I see a caring father making his son call him lord, this is weird.

I think the director focused a lot on making the scene romantic, the camera is moving very slow which makes the scene seem romantic, the director sits the characters together and very close to each other, she is wearing red, like a passion color, I think that between two relatives the scene should be normal or more like the book, Ophelia is sort of arguing in the book and in the video she is just very submissive about everything, the director made the choice to make the characters different than in the play because they act different even though they say everything like in the play. Ophelia walks around a lot while her brother talks which seems like if she was nervous, this is opposite to what I thought she would be doing which was to not care about what her brother was saying. Ophelia is also looking at a picture which is the director’s choice because at the time the play was written cameras didn’t exist. Her choice has a great impact on how people see the video because it reflects that it is happening now instead of long time ago.

I think is fine for the movie to differ so much from the play because adapting a play for a movie is not easy. What I didn’t like is the changes the director made, I feel like he is trying to show a different Idea, if she is trying to do this then it should be called something else instead of hamlet because it violates the principles of the play.

mattn6 said...

Act 1 Scene 3

To begin, I will first describe the passage as I understand it. I will then return back to the blog and describe it as I saw it. Following that I will evaluate the effectiveness of the video clip in refference to the book and my interpretation thereof. This will not only demonstrate my understanding of my assigned passage, but also allow me to exhibit a sort of creative constructive criticism of the video, weighing it against how it played in my head as I read it.

The most important part of creative evaluation, juxtaposing the actual video with the imagery that flashes through ones head while they drink deeply of the literature, leastways I believe to be so, is that the story is read before the visual is observed. This allows the brain to formulate the background based on the verse. You are allowed to craft your own world based on how you see the words coming to life. It forms a coalescent bond between the imagination of the wordsmith who crafted the poem, or book, or poem, and the imagination of the reader who is devouring the words and processing them into a live action movie within the theatrical boundaries of their head. The reader will be given a chance to literally create an unconscious film while they go along with the story. I cannot even begin to pretend that this bond is recognized to the point that it deserves to be, let alone appreciated for keeping the concept of imagination alive in a world fast-seeking the images thrust

To reverse the order, and to watch a movie prior to reading the written works aforehand is to do just that, to force-infuse an image into our mind’s eye. Then when we regress into the readings, the images that accompany our mind as we follow along in our head will invariably be that which we had seen up on the silver screen.
The scene begins, to ensure to you my understanding of the events as they unfolded, with the entrance of Laertes and Ophelia. Laertes is the brother of Ophelia. She tells him that Hamlet has expressed interest in her. That he has directly expressed love to her. Her brother begins the cautionary tale that perhaps he is just lusting after her, and feeling no more real emotion that isn’t directly attached to sexual desires. She if not careful could find herself a plaything and no more, which could tear at her heart. He seems to fear for her, though we not to what end. Upon the arrival of their father Polonius, he dismissed his son, who reminds his sister to heed his advice, or at least not forget it. A moment before his arrival, she had retorted that he should make sure he also follows his own advice rather than simply tout it against the wills of other people. It is unsure to me whether her tone was admonoshing or coy. Onward though, the father tells his son he has things to do, servants to keep in order. The brother departs, and the father asks his daughter of what the two siblings were speaking just afore his arrival, given that he heard his son remembering his words to her. She tells him of Hamlet’s preposition of love. He scorns the concept, and reapeats the words of his son, though altogether excludes the possibility that it is genuine. He basically accuses his daughter of acting the part of a rube. He forbids her to act on the desires of herself or of Hamlet.

That being said, I will describe the scene as I had seen it in my head as I read it. The first thing I would take into account would be the setting. I would imagine a relatively standard medieval backdrop. We are speaking now of Danish people, in the times of a monarchial reign. The fact that the people are Danes conjures the steryotype of fair-skinned Germanic hordes, with light hair and eyes and of reasonable height. The true Aryan tribes were not ash haired as popular belief dictates, but dark haired and eyed. Countering the preconceived notions with the reality, I would imagine that they would be possessed of medium lightish brown hair and light grey hazel eyes. Despite the fact that the peoples are of Danish background, the names given are Romanesque, and perhaps even Greek in origin. This makes me feel that the men in the scene, Laertes and Polonius, would have the curly hair that was commonly seen on Greco-Roman statues of the Renaissance. The features of the two men and also of Ophelia would be soft, no calusses upon their hands for they would not have known truly hard work due to their semi-royal status. They would be clad in finery, not to the same degree as that of the king, but very nearly so, for they are of his court and thusly must be representative of his wealth and prosperity, lest it cast an ill-flattering image of the health of his reign.

And next we venture to explore, contrast, and compare the Hollywood rendition to our own. Firstly, notwithstanding the fact that it was cast in present day, I feel that it was moderately well cast. Liev Shreiber’s delivery was perfect and his voice had the same rich oaken tone that I would have expected of Laertes. Julia Stiles was good in her role, though the two did not suit each other as siblings. They have not one feature in common, be it the shade of their hair, the detail of their facial bone, their profile, etc. They were both suited to the parts, except that Live Shreiber perhaps more matched the figure of Laertes that envisioned. Bill Murray, though, perhaps was playing a part (the father of the two, Plonius) that his higher, reedier, and infinitley more comic voice would prohibit him from becoming perfectly adept at. When a role is truly serious or defining I prefer to see a lesser known face, which I would then not associate with other known parts that they have played. Bill Murray will always to me be Bob Wiley, the loveable psycotherapy patient from What About Bob? This is not to shed any doubt on Murray’s acting abilities, it is just not as I would have portrayed it, and he did it to the best of his considerable abilities.

I feel that Laertes’ lines were delivered too seductively for a brother to have been talking to his sister. It was almost as if he were encouraging the relent of an opportunity for passion so that he may instigate one of his own in its stead. The background music, which is only playing during the warning near-monologue from Laertes to Ophelia, compliments the sensous closeness betwixt the brother and sister. It ends as descends into their presence their father Polonius. The clothes were about the modern-day equivalent in turns of style, quality, and costliness. The way the camera pans around Ophelia’s head while she is pondering her brothers words gives rise to the notion that she is truly contemplating what he is saying, so to that effect it worked very well. I hadn’t pictured the scene to take place within a library, but it is not a far stretch to picture the original sequence amongst tomes of olde.

Overall, I would say the new version did its literary predecessor justice; it is merely to what degree we must determine. I am firmly of the mind that the book is always better than the movie. Movies are to be indulged merely to be entertained, while books require a more active participation on the part of the reader. I feel that a book is far more mentally engaging, although granted its means of conveyance are paltry in comparison to the haughty grandeur of a polished edited film. A book can take you somewhere only if you wish to go. If not you will slog through it as a chore, nothing more. A movie is more hands off. To give the film its credit though, it was a very fair portrayal of the scene. Much differed from how I would have portrayed it, but then I had not really considered how I would adapt it to set it in modern times. I had only considered the background, the angles, and the actors. I would have left the scene devoid of music, although here it was used to great effect, silent and short lived.

In summation, a book must be read before the film adaptation is watched in order to propagate the ability to create your own dimensions within the context of the story. If such a thing is not wished upon by a hapless reader, then to watch the film first will give his or her creative juices a rest and simply replay the characters and the scenes in the reader’s head, solidifying the image. Sometimes a movie rendition can appear more powerful because of its play on camera angles, giving it panache, a flair for theatrics. Depending on the person in question who is taking in the deluge of imagery, this can be far less powerful than the mortal imagination, or should they choose not to exercise the annals of their mind, far more.

Annabel D. 6 said...

In this video Act1:3, Hamlet is acting really weird, he is like flirting with his sister and telling her to watch out and to take care and to think about her decision., and in this video it looks really modern nice, it doesn’t look like when you read the book it looks form our society right now. When I first saw this I thought that the girl was his girlfriend and I had to go back and see the book because Hamlet was flirting with her and getting close to her face and ear and then when his dad got to the house he like jumped and moved from Ophelia and went to the other side of the room and he was walking to the get his stuff and it looked like he was in a hurry seems his dad got in the house, and he was putting books In his bag, but in the begin of the video Ophelia is looking at a picture and when Hamlet start talking to her she gets mad and gets up because it seems like she doesn’t want to listen what his telling her what to do and that can be one of the reason why she gets mad because she realize that she is a grow woman now and maybe she feels like Hamlet is asking for to much, and she seem annoyed about what he is telling her and she is walking around the room and the way she looks at him I can tell that she just wants him to leave or she just tired of listening to him, and then she sits down and she puts her head down, and then she looks up and looks at him and he keeps talking and she turns her head and looks the opposite side and he keep looking at her face and looking at her neck like he wants to kiss her, and by he keep talking her face is so serious she looks really sad and he looks like he wants to go for it but he knows he can’t but at the same time he still gets in her ear and her neck getting close to her and then he looks up and he getting more close to her because he realize that his father comes and the he gives her a quick kiss in her check and gets up really fast and when her dad is walking down the stairs he stands there next to his to Ophelia and looks at him with a worry face, so then Ophelia’s dad talks and talks and I think that’s a the reason why he gets up and goes to the other room because he doesn’t want to listen to Ophelia’s dad and his Ophelia stays in the other room sitting down with her hand in her face looking down and probably thinking and seem more annoyed about the all this situation and her dad when he is in the room with her he look at card and then throws it in the table and when he sees that Hamlet goes to the other room he runs to him and start talking and telling him to tell someone about his act and Hamlet is not really listening because he just packing his stuff and his Ophelia is upstairs looking what they are doing, and then Ophelia dad is helping Hamlet to put his stuff in the bag and he just keep talking and Hamlet takes a book and Ophelia dad keep talking to him and putting stuff in his bag and then after he takes the book and puts it on his bag he takes his bag and just walks but Ophelia dad keeps talking and talking and Hamlet haven’t said one word seems he started talking, and then Hamlet puts his bag down and he seems like he is looking for something and just looked up and down and then he just takes his jacket and put it on looking the opposite way from Ophelia’s dad and then Ophelia dad helps him to put his jacket on and he just keep talking to Hamlet haven’t said a word yet, and after he finish putting his jacket on he turns and Ophelia’s dad keeps talking to him and then they just really hug because what Ophelia dad have been told him and I guess he just wants to help him and then Hamlet talks and the Lord says to go because Hamlet has to leave and then he just looks at Ophelia and just hug her for a good 2 minutes and tells her to take care and then he told her to remember what he said to her and then he just leaves and Ophelia just looks to the side with out saying anything to him and her father just let him go, but in the house is like around books every were, it haves stairs is like a normal type of house there cloths are like normal regular cloths, the house is gray it doesn’t have any bright colors, and the books are surrounded were Hamlet and Ophelia are when they are first talking before Ophelia’s dad comes in the house, and the house has the floor like glass because when Ophelia’s dad came in the house that’s why Hamlet notice that he was coming in the house just by looking up and seen him walking towards the house is just so plain and with out colors, the stairs are like wood and there is more books behind the stairs. Were Hamlet and Ophelia was there they was in the second floor because when Ophelia’s dad is talking to Hamlet Ophelia go see them and it is like a little balcony that is made of glass and underneath the balcony there is more books. Basicly the background of this the only thing that you can tell is the books, when I saw this video I was kind of confused because Ophelia’s dad was telling all those things to Hamlet and how Hamlet was telling that to Ophelia and the last thing that he told her.

Alex T 7 said...

Act 1 Scene 3 of Hamlet is portrayed in the Shakespeare version as a conversation between brother and sister discuss the love life of Ophelia and what she must avoid in order to remain free from becoming a whore or losing her virginity. In the original version the scene appears to make Ophelia feel quite uncomfortable and almost shying away from the conversation where as in the video she is almost distressed by the conversation as if to agree with Laertes, although in agreement she appears as though she does not want to have a conversation of this nature with her brother. Although on the same subject matter, the video version and play version of Hamlet give off conflicting vibes.
Ophelia is portrayed as a good looking blonde girl by the director, her looking this way warrants the fact that many men are probably in pursuit of her love. Laertes is aware of this and deems it necessary to protect his sister that are only in pursuit of her not for love but for lust.
The director of the video obviously felt as though Ophelia and Laertes were face to face when having the conversation about Ophelia and her love life. It appears as though they were left close to one another to allow Laertes to give his sister a kiss on the check as if to seal the deal with a brother to sister kiss almost a final agreement between the two. Laertes appears content with how the conversation went despite the fact that Ophlia actually tells him to follow his own rules that he expressed to her. The setting of the scene is in a library to an extent to ensure the viewer that the residents of the home are knowledgeable and have a certain degree of world information to support their claims and statements.
The scene also shows the size of the home in order to show the wealth of the residents as well. The home has a an upper floor that appears as a balcony as was commonly found in homes during the 1600’s in homes of people of upper class status. The upper class and wealth that is in the lives of the characters is also portrayed in the manner that the characters are dressed. Their wardrobes are representative of their wealth as well. Polonius then enters the scene.
When Polonius enters a power shift is almost immediately felt. He has a loud confident voice when speaking to both Laertes and Ophelia who both respect him although he is seemingly arrogant. The idea that Polonius does not know exactly what to say to his children may reflect the decisions that Laertess made to talk about his sister’s love life directly to her. The video practically shows parts of Ophelia and Laertes in Polonius’ behavior, both his qualities and fallacies. Ultimately the director depicts Polonius to the one who is in charge. A large room is the setting due to the fact that it allows Polonius to express his loud voice and make him seem that much more above the soft tones of both his children.
The lighting in the room is also dull but the scenery is bright and colorful which represents the soft tone and importance of the conversation. As the scene continues Polonius moves throughout the house as if to boost the fact that it is his domain and what ever he does is right, all though he comes off as sort of a buffoon filled with ignorance.
The conversation between Ophelia and Laertes also may have a deeper meaning of separation. Laertes is moving off to college and the age is depicted correctly as the man in the video appears to be that of a college student and his sister younger. The conversation in the video also gives the viewer the idea that the two are very close to one another and truly care what one another does in life. When Ophelia warns Laertes to follow his own advice she seemingly makes a joke out of it and reacts with sarcasm, as is done the play version.
The director of the video also leaves out the tension between the two it is not a very tense scene in the video which disallows the viewer to understand the magnitude of the scene. Although the ending kiss in the scene is one between brother and sister the love between the two seems to be too much, I did not feel as though the two were as close as depicted as the director allows the two to appear.
Overall the video version displays a good visual image of the scene but does not completely capture the scene as I felt is was meant to be displayed as written by Shakespeare in its original form.

Alex J 7 said...

In the play, hamlet by William Shakespeare, the author uses certain techniques to convey the feelings of the characters to the audience that is watching it or reading it. There are many other forms of media such as, movies besides acting it out on stage. Michael Almereyda’s hamlet is the one being portrayed here as a modern twist on the old fashioned hamlet.

In act 1 scene 3, Laertes is preparing to leave. Before Laertes leaves, he first has a conversation with his sister, Ophelia about how she should watch out for being in a relationship with hamlet but to be patient if she wants to get into one with him. It begins with Ophelia holding a picture of hamlet and staring at it in the movie and not the book. he says to her “it fits your wisdom so far to believe it as he in his particular act and place may give his saying deed, which is no further than the main voice of Denmark goes withal” (line 29-33) showing how he doesn’t think hamlet really likes her and with her knowledge she should already know and feel this with her heart. As the scene progresses, laertes tells her to “fear it” and he is speaking of how she should not let hamlet touch her and her “chaste treasure open to his mastered opportunity.” He is also suggesting that hamlet is trying to have sex with her and take her pure “chaste” away. Ophelia then reacts with certain disgust because she feels he was being a hypocrite when he himself does these things.

The director portrays them as more than brother and sister to me. I feel a strange sexual tension when they speak to each other in the movie. When they look at each other also makes me fell like they are looking deeper into each other than a normal brother and sister. The way they react when one or the other is speaking is very different also. I feel Ophelia is looking at laertes with alluring and as if they weren’t even related. The director made this apparent to the audience because he wants us to see that their relationship relevant to the play and they are close and closer than we really know. He wants us to feel the love they have for each other so we can feel empathy or sympathy when something bad happens to them during the play. He also portrays then characters as mellow and very nonchalantly having this serious conversation so lightheartedly. The lighting if the faces are also very specifically focused on. When Ophelia speaks of how she will obey laertes her face is lit up so you can see the expression of angst. The camera also stays on the characters when they speak to each other to enforce the fact that they are totally engulfed in the conversation they are having with each other. It only pans away when one of either Ophelia or laertes moves and that not many times throughout the scene. In the book, makes me feel as thought the characters are passionate when they have speak about hamlet and the fact laertes wants only for Ophelia to stay away from him.

The camera angles are also below the actors faces suggesting that characters have power over all the others. They are most superior to the others. The camera angle over Ophelia is low suggesting the weakness she has under the men in this scene. In the book you can get this feeling from her tone of her voice when you read it. The camera follows the character which also shows leadership. It follows laertes and Polonius as they converse about Ophelia.

Their clothing is also very modern compared to what one would imagine in the play from the renaissance. It makes it more relatable for the modern era. While a younger person watches it they can be more in tune with what is going on. She is also wearing red which is a color of passion. This is strange since she is in fact speaking to her brother.

In one particular part, (3:15) laertes, Polonius and Ophelia are all standing in a line. It shows Ophelia looking down at laertes suggesting how much they are closer than the eye meets. Making that provocative relationship even more apparent through the looks and movement of her and him together.

Dian z 7 said...

The settings of the performance of Act 1, scene 3 on the video are quite different from my imagination which is based on the texture Hamlet book. The setting of the performance is set in a study room. The study room is full of books and well decorated. The decorations of the study room seem to be luxurious and modern. The white wall of the study room gives a sense of civility to the viewer. The dress of Laertes and Opheria and Polonius seem to be faddish and modern. Those settings of performance are very distant from my imagination. The time of the Hamlet play is set on the late medieval period, I think back on that period people would wear long gown and gingham instead of wearing business suit and T-shirt. Base on the book, I think the entire conversation would occur at a port or a station where Laertes would get on the vehicle, because at the beginning of the scene, Laertes says that “my necessaries are embarked. Farewell, And, sister,as the winds give benefit And convery assistant, do not sleep, But let me hear from you.” At the beginning of the performance, Opheria is holding a photo and staring attentively at the photo. There is a male on the photo, and I guess the male might be the prince Hamlet. This scene makes me feel that Opheria loves hamlet deeply. But on the texture book, there is not a sentence to describe that Opheria is holding a Hamlet’s photo, and also there isn’t a sentence shows Opheria likes or care about hamlet. The way of speaking of Laertes is regardful and propositional. He uses his raising and falling voice to emphasize the key sentences. Laertes lowered his voice when he saying “but you must fear, His greatness weigh’d, his will is not his own; For he himself is subject to his birth.” The effect of lowering voice emphasizes the key words in the sentence. He raised his voice when he saying “He may not, as unvalu'd persons do, Carve for himself; for on his choice depends, The safety and health of this whole state; And therefore must his choice be circumscrib'd, Unto the voice and yielding of that body Whereof he is the head.” The effect of raising voice impacts the audience intensely; the audience would remember the word subconsciously. Laertes lowering his voice when he saying “Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open, To his unmater’d importunity.” The modulation in tone delivers the feeling of the narrator to the audience frankly, and vivifies the conversation. Opheria seems to be annoyed and uncomfortable when her brother Laertes talks with her about the prince Hamlet. She walking around arbitrarily and her face delivers a sense of she is being annoyed by the contents of the conversation. Her countenance reflects that she cares about the prince Hamlet and she does not want anyone to set any obstacle on the relationship between hamlet and her. She seems to be distracted and doesn’t want to listen to the lesson her brother Laertes gives. There are some sentences the performance omitted—“The chariest maid is prodigal enough, If she unmask her beauty to the moon: Virtue itself scopes not calumnious strokes: The canker galls the infants of the spring, Too oft before their buttons be disclos'd: And in the morn and liquid dew of youth, Contagious blastments are most imminent. Be wary then; best safety lies in fear:” I think the omitted sentences play a role in the conversation; the sentences exemplify the consequence of being in love in lies of Hamlet. These sentences reflect the attitude of Laertes toward the prince Hamlet. The way of speaking of Opheria is impassive. She seems to be sad about her brother’s leaving. The relationship between Opheria and Laertes surpass the relationship between brother and sister. Laertes speaks farewell Opheria with hoarse, heartrending voice. He talks a lot with Opheria before he leaves; this is not ordinary to brother and sister. When Polonius enters, Laertes begins to pack his belongings. The way of speaking of Polonius is propositional and calm. Polonius gives some advices for his son Laertes. The relationship between Polonius and Laertes is not look like the relationship of father and son. Their relationship looks like friend. During Polonius talking with Laertes, Laertes is walking around to pack his stuff, he seems to be annoyed by the contents his father gives. Laertes is going to college and he is an adult already, but his father still treats him as a kid. Polonius putted some money in the pocket of Laertes’s cloth. This shows that Polonius cares about his son Laertes and he wants his son to be well and behave well. He tries to teach Leartes to be a well educated man. “Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice: Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment. Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy:” The relationship between Laertes and Opheria seems to be closer than the relationship of Laertes and Polonius. Laertes never says farewell or goodbye to his father, this is strange that Laertes only says farewell to his sister. The performance of Act1, scene 3 is quite different from my imagination.

jonathanB7 said...

Jonathan Bastos
Ryan Gallagher
English 12 cp
Act 1 scene 3
In act one scene three of Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia are a dysfunctional family. Ophelia likes the prince of Denmark Hamlet. In act one scene three the point of view of the director is different from the play. The angles of the camera portrays the meaning of the scene as well as the characters tone. After I watched the video, I feel that the director did justice to the play portraying act one scene three.

Laertes is Ophelia’s older brother who is leaving Denmark. Before he leaves, he talks with Ophelia in this scene about her love and affection towards Hamlet. Hamlet seems to be a problem for Laertes because he does not want Ophelia to be hurt. In the beginning of the video, Laertes says, “Perhaps he loves you now, and now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch The virtue of his will; but you must fear, his greatness weighed, his will is not his own, For he himself is subject to birth.” This seems to be a reality check for Ophelia. Laertes is basically telling Ophelia that he is forced to marry who he is told to. The way Laertes comes off in the video he seems to be concerned. Laertes shows his place by being a true brother to Ophelia. Later Laertes puts his head down to show disappointment towards Ophelia because she seems like she’s refusing to listen. The director setting up this move is a good idea because it makes the audience feel like they’re actually in the scene. This gives emotion to the the scene. Laertes then says, “Then weigh what loss your honor may sustain if with too credent ear you list his songs or lose your heart or your chaste treasure open to his unmastered opportunity. Fear it, Ophelia; fear it, my dear sister, and keep you in the rear of your affection, out of the shot and danger of desire. Be wary, then; best safety lies in fear. Youth to itself rebels, though none else near.” Laertes also says this in the play. He tells Ophelia not to lose her honor, and her virginity which is her honor. While Ophelia says this, she also nods at the same time meaning she understands what Laertes is saying. She also says thank you to her dear brother, and even though Laertes gives her this advice, he should follow his own advice. Ophelia at this point has an understanding of Laertes.

The setting of the white room seems perfect for the lighting of the room. White represents neutrality. The feeling of neutrality is having no sides. It gives the audience a feeling of curiosity, but being at a normal state because of the white room. The director gives the character of Laertes a blue shirt. The color blue represents water which flows. Laertes is lecturing Ophelia giving her a perspective of Hamlet. Ophelia is wearing red in this scene which also symbolizes love. It also symbolizes lust, but not anger. Ophelia having the color red sticks out to the video but blends in with the white room. The director also chooses to have a close up shot throughout most of the scene. This shot lets the audience see the characters facials expressions and have the feeling at the same time of the way there lines are expressed of the lines. Polonius entering in gray gives a dull feeling. Also entering in a suit makes he seem successful. The director choosing these two characteristics for Polonius seems appropriate for the scene. Also, at the same time when Polonius enters, the camera is faced towards the ceiling, which gives Polonius a superior feel because he’s on top, while the two characters are on the bottom. This action was also an appropriate choose for this scene.

Polonius entering, Laertes gives Ophelia a farewell kiss showing affection. I feel that the director overall did a well done job with act one scene three because it captures the most of the scene between Ophelia and Laertes. Comparing this video and with the scene in the play, I feel that the director portrays this scene very well. The director’s main goal is to make the audience feel what the scene is showing and I feel that he uses most of the right angles and shots for the characters in this scene.

Annabel D. 6 said...

In the book Hamlet by William Shakespeare, William Shakespeare suggest that Hamlet’s father has been killed by his Uncle Claudius, but no one knows, only Hamlets knows and thats why Hamlet is acting weird towards all this that is happening.

n this video Act1:3, Hamlet is acting really weird, he is like flirting with his sister and telling her to watch out and to take care and to think about her decision., and in this video it looks really modern nice, it doesn?t look like when you read the book it looks form our society right now.

When I first saw this I thought that the girl was his girlfriend and I had to go back and see the book because Hamlet was flirting with her and getting close to her face and ear and then when his dad got to the house he like jumped and moved from Ophelia and went to the other side of the room and he was walking to the get his stuff and it looked like he was in a hurry seems his dad got in the house, and he was putting books In his bag.

In the begin of the video Ophelia is looking at a picture and when Hamlet start talking to her she gets mad and gets up because it seems like she doesn?t want to listen what his telling her what to do and that can be one of the reason why she gets mad because she realize that she is a grow woman now and maybe she feels like Hamlet is asking for to much, and she seem annoyed about what he is telling her and she is walking around the room and the way she looks at him I can tell that she just wants him to leave or she just tired of listening to him, and then she sits down and she puts her head down, and then she looks up and looks at him and he keeps talking and she turns her head and looks the opposite side and he keep looking at her face and looking at her neck like he wants to kiss her, and by he keep talking her face is so serious.

she looks really sad and he looks like he wants to go for it but he knows he can't but at the same time he still gets in her ear and her neck getting close to her and then he looks up and he getting more close to her because he realize that his father comes and the he gives her a quick kiss in her check and gets up really fast and when her dad is walking down the stairs he stands there next to his to Ophelia and looks at him with a worry face, so then Ophelia?s dad talks and talks and I think that?s a the reason why he gets up and goes to the other room because he doesn?t want to listen to Ophelia?s dad and his Ophelia stays in the other room sitting down with her hand in her face looking down and probably thinking and seem more annoyed about the all this situation and her dad when he is in the room with her he look at card and then throws it in the table and when he sees that Hamlet goes to the other room he runs to him and start talking and telling him to tell someone about his act and Hamlet is not really listening because he just packing his stuff and his Ophelia is upstairs looking what they are doing, and then Ophelia dad is helping Hamlet to put his stuff in the bag and he just keep talking and Hamlet takes a book and Ophelia dad keep talking to him and putting stuff in his bag and then after he takes the book and puts it on his bag he takes his bag and just walks but Ophelia dad keeps talking and talking and Hamlet haven?t said one word seems he started talking, and then Hamlet puts his bag down and he seems like he is looking for something and just looked up and down and then he just takes his jacket and put it on looking the opposite way from Ophelia?s dad and then Ophelia dad helps him to put his jacket on and he just keep talking to Hamlet haven?t said a word yet, and after he finish putting his jacket on he turns and Ophelia?s dad keeps talking to him and then they just really hug because what Ophelia dad have been told him and I guess he just wants to help him and then Hamlet talks and the Lord says to go because Hamlet has to leave and then he just looks at Ophelia and just hug her for a good 2 minutes and tells her to take care and then he told her to remember what he said to her and then he just leaves and Ophelia just looks to the side with out saying anything to him and her father just let him go, but in the house is like around books every were, it haves stairs is like a normal type of house there cloths are like normal regular cloths, the house is gray it doesn?t have any bright colors, and the books are surrounded were Hamlet and Ophelia are when they are first talking before Ophelia's dad comes in the house, and the house has the floor like glass because when Ophelia?s dad came in the house that?s why Hamlet notice that he was coming in the house just by looking up and seen him walking towards the house is just so plain and with out colors, the stairs are like wood and there is more books behind the stairs. Were Hamlet and Ophelia was there they was in the second floor because when Ophelia?s dad is talking to Hamlet Ophelia go see them and it is like a little balcony that is made of glass and underneath the balcony there is more books.

Basicly the background of this the only thing that you can tell is the books, when I saw this video I was kind of confused because Ophelia?s dad was telling all those things to Hamlet and how Hamlet was telling that to Ophelia and the last thing that he told her.

zaktouati said...

In William Shakespeare prince hamlet, hamlets father which was to be king hamlet was killed by his own brother of cladius. After the death hamlets mother (gertude) eventually has love for cladius and he becomes king to take the thrown of the king. So far, we have to belive, that hamelt is in love with a woman the name of ophelia. In act 3 scene 1, Laertes is ophelias sister and his is preparing to leave and happens to have a conversation with his sister ophelia. The movie scene begins straight with ophelia and Laertes talking to eachother and eventually there father polonius walks in. by the whole movie scene I belive that the movie director has failed in an attept to re-enact this scene. There are many things that the diretor did wrong in tring to make this scene. The style of William shakespear and this move scene does not fit the novel at all and is why I belive the movie has failed to renovate the scene.

At first, the movie scene opens up directly with ophelia and Laertes talking to each other, I belive one of the things the movie director failed to have done is the way he showed the characters in the scene. In the novel, you can understand that the brother and sister are having a convetual conversation with each other on how Laertes is leaving and such. Although in the movie, one thing that I noticed is the director made the two actors seem as if they are boyfirend and girlfriend instead as relatives. When they are talking in the movie scene, laeters is very close in oplelias face and through the whole conversation; he had his eyes on her the whole time just gazing at her with such as a boyfriend would do. When the father polonius came in Laertes got right up and imedialty the two stoped having their own conversation as if the two wernt allowed speaking with one another. The way the movie scene brought the characters up I belived was the most awfull part of the scene because instead of a family talk within the two siblings it makes u seem as if it’s a secret relationship conversation between the two lovers.

Thorughtout the time many of directors have tried to make a movie for the great play of William shakspear. When doing these movies something familiar that most of the movies have in common is that, they usually take all the life out of shakespears style and writing. Instead of emphaziing, what he has to say the always think that modern day technology would make the scene more intresting to the viewer. Which is another reason why I belive this movie scene has failed to re act act one scene 3 is because of they way that the dialouge and style of the speech was giving in the scene. When Laertes says “Or lose your heart or your chaste treasure open.” (Pg. 41, Line 35) to his sister ophelia that part in the novel you can look back to and realize how he is trieng to give his own sister some advie on when he is leaving. During the movie he says this paticular quote reguarly as his whole conversation with no passion what so ever whh brings me to that how the movie itslef shows less affection than the novel and it brings out shakspear itself. When you listin in the scene when Laertes says that to ophelia it juss goes by your ear un herd because he says it like anything else.

Another reason for this movie being a faliur to the novel is because off the scenary and setting in the novel. During the novel when this conversation is, happening you would picture the brother and sister to be at the living room of such or somehwere privte talking to one another. However, in the movie it is the total oppisite, the two are in some kind of office and very not what you expect them to be at this moment. Also part of the scenery is how they dress. The two males walk in the secne with briefcases like there in a buisness and all the pices do not fit the novel and story line. It also looks as though Ophelia in the movie scene does not much care for the words of Laertes when he is giving her advice on hamlet. “But, good my brother, Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, show me the steep and thorny way to heaven.” (Pg. 43 Line 50-53)