Hamlet- critical plays

Question 1

Laurence Olivier p.1948

Answer 1

“this is the tragedy of a man who could not make up his mind”

Question 2

Christopher Plvmmer first soliloque

Answer 2

Sits in mothers throne, hunched over, link to Frued

Question 3

Similarity between Lawrence Olivier and Christopher Plvmmer interpretations

Answer 3

Both are by the sea, “I’ll go no further”, appears ghost is attempting to drag hamlet into the water, questions his true nature.

Question 4

How is the ghost portrayed in Christopher Plvmmer’s interpretation

Answer 4

The camera is the ghost, as an audience we never see the ghost

Question 5

Kenneth Branagh nunnery scene

Answer 5

• Opens and closes all mirrored doors
• Grabs Ophelia throughout, violent
• Stares through mirror pushing Ophelia’s face against it
• Contradictions, kisses her but tells her to get thee to a nunnery
• Polonius and Claudius close window and escape as Hamlet opens door, leaving Ophelia to cry in the doorway
• Hamlet escapes through a hidden door

Question 6

Kate Winslet as Ophelia Scene 3

Answer 6

Polonius pushes her into a confessional