Blog #15: Hamlet Act 3

                You know I’m just so emotional right now. I don’t know if I even want to live any more. It could be easier taking my own life “whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And, by opposing, end them.” (3.1.65). I think that taking one’s life in this situation. I could end all this heart ache “death as the big sleep. To die: to sleep; No more;” (3.1.70).On the other hand I could ride this out kill my uncle and be the hero in the end but at what cost. This statement contradicts everything I have been doing I actually seem sane but I’ve been trying to be insane. You my readers are probably frightened to be frank I am too. I need to get myself together on what I shall do. Blog you next time readers.

            The mis en scene in the Ethan Hawke version is not over shadowed by out dated and bland mis en scene. The lighting outside is dark and inside light may show the emotions that hamlet is feeling. The setting is set in a block buster which represents possibly a dyeing brand but more so hamlet dyeing inside. The camera angle is set at a mid-shot which makes him seem level headed and even sane. His dark suit represents the internal and external struggle hamlet is feeling. The bright colors all around represent what a contradiction of his true emotions. My choice is effective because it’s modern and represents the soliloquys true meaning. The Kenneth Branah portrayal still makes Hamlet seem insane which is not what Shakespeare is going for during his speech. The Laurence Olivier version is out of date emotionless, no difference in color, light, and costume so overall this is a terrible portrayal of the to be or not to be speech. Don’t get me started with the Mel Gibson version, dry emotionless, costume made no sense, and camera angle made zero sense but the setting in the catacombs were on point with what he was going for. My own opinion is that the Ethan Hawke version is superior to all other versions.        

BLOG #14: HAMLET ACT 2: REVENGE & ESPIONAGE

Hamlet is tirelessly trying to find weather or not his uncle is the person who killed his father. Hamlet is similar to The Princess Bride because he is also tirelessly looking for the man who “keeled my father”. The play Hamlet is based on corruption from murder, deception, and spying. This is displayed at the beginning of act two when Polonious told Reynaldo to spy on his son “Before you visit him, to make inquire of his behavior.” (2.2.23). Hamlet himself is deceiving everyone “Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other and with a look so piteous in purport as if he had been loosed out of hell.”(2.1.98). You know corruption is a foot when you deceive your own family “Fortinbraus you cannot march on Denmark they are or allies for too long.” ”I won’t uncle but in need money to march on Poland.” (2.1.52). when friends can’t trust friends that when you know something is rotten “I will need you both to keep a watchful eye on dear Hamlet.”. “Ay my lord your wishes will be done.” (2.1.363). Hamlet is using everything in his aresanal to get to the truth “Do you know the painted tyrant I need you to perform it tonight.” (2.1.429). the connection of the two works of art are revenge of the murder of a beloved father.    

Blog #13: Act 1

             Everything is happening so fast. My father dyeing has made me so sad I don’t know what to do with myself. I cry every night in the fetal position and think why now. I am dressing in dark clothing because I feel dark inside due to recent events “Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother. / Nor customary suits of solemn black” (1.1.78).  I always dreaded the day when my father was slain but I took comfort in the fact that I would be able to carry his great legacy through me. All these emotions flowing through me need a way to escape. I think I can put that into finding out if my scum bag Uncle who is in indecent relations with my ever so beautiful Mother killed my Father to be king. I love my father “his canon gainst self slaughter!” (1.1.131) he hath not died by his own hands but slain by thy uncle. Them being wed so close to my fathers’ death “But two months dead: nay, not so much, not two” (1.1.139). seems so disrespectful I just am filled with teenage grief I feel “how weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, Seem to me all the uses of this world” (1.1.134). but my dear friend Horatio could not have arrived soon my grief is so extensive that he will make it better “I am glad to see you…” (1.1.160).