Ophelias Eulogy

     We are gathered here to day to recognize the passing of a once loved, Ophelia. it was her status quote in society that earned her this proper burial. In the end she was no better than a murderer for taking her own life and sucking the life out of others with the required amount of attention she needed. Her madness was caused by her undying love for hamlet who had now murdered her father. She felt like a trader for loving Hamlet yet betrayed by Hamlet who killed her father. The guilt of this series of events lead to the collapse of the once sane Ophelia.
     Although unfortunate her demise was no fault but her own. Things happen, good and bad, but as you grow older your capability with dealing with things should increase. Poor Ophelia couldn't get a grasp on her own emotions therefore I refuse to sympathize for her because she allowed them to get the best of her. Although I am not in her position I would have restricted my emotions for my survival. Even though its upsetting I do not feel bad for her because her passing could have been prevented, she just took the easy way out. She will be loved and missed but the castle is relieved to have lifted a burden from off its shoulders.

     Shakespeare's portrayal make Ophelia come off as completely bonkers but innocent. She's walking around singing her own tunes and playing with flowers. Yes this is unnatural for someone of her age and class but her actions are that of a child as she turns insane. I don't think she committed suicide even though she was depressed and mentally insane but I also don't think Gertrude pushed her in. Although a lot of people in the play are awful human beings I don't see why Gertrude would have the desire to kill Ophelia. I think she simply just drowned in the water under the weight of her dress.

Hamlet and His Delima

     From what I've read of the play so far Hamlet is disheveled. Although he is internally fighting himself with whether to be a man of action or thought, a lot is currently happening in his life. Hamlet's motive for murdering Claudius is based off what the ghost of his father told him. At no point in time is a ghost's word an accurate resource. I understand in his unclear state of mind it may seem sufficient evidence but in court it would flunk.
     Hamlet's apprehension for murdering Claudius may be a result of a realization. I feel as if his pause in his wishes is due to him coming to his senses. Whether the ghost is right or not; no one would believe Hamlet when he said a ghost told him to kill Claudius, and also Claudius didn't admit to murdering the king nor would he. Claudius's reaction to the play 'The Rat Trap' may seem ample enough but it's not, because Claudius is king meaning his word is law. Therefore killing Claudius, although he's not the peoples favorite, would put Hamlet's life at risk.
     Action is a necessary part of life but action should only be taken on thoughts that have been developed and examined. Holding off on murder was a wise decision because no matter who you are, at this time period punishment would be inflicted. As I stated before Hamlet is not in a clear state of mind and this hesitation would result in him making a wiser decision. I now see how Hamlet is crazy but pretending. Any right minded person would hesitate before murder even if they hated the person that they had the knife raised to. This scene proves how his going bonkers is an act, a well skilled full proof one at that.

To be or not to be? Analysis

Oliver's version really captures the metaphor "the sea of troubles", that hamlet discusses by having hamlet sit on a cliff overlooking the crashing waves. When he pulls out the dagger I feel as if its so unnecessary. Why stab yourself when you can just jump off the cliff and personally, jumping off the cliff just seems so much more peaceful. Besides from that, hamlet being perched up on that rock just looks like he is trying to be Ariel, I get the metaphor and its a clever idea I feel as if its just executed improperly. For the most part his voice is very calm and drone really giving the affect of depression. The look on his face seems as if he is zoned out by his own words, as if he is saying them but doesn't know what he is saying. All in all this version has good ideas just cant execute it and falls flat in my eyes. Branagh's version is Hamlet staring into a mirror at himself the whole time. having the setting be the mirror really captures the fight he is having with himself internally. The tone in his voice is low but later on rises and is shaky, at first I interpreted as he was on the verge of tears but really I think he is just so aggravated at the position he is in and at the world that he is questioning living. This version captures more of what I imagined the scene to look like. In Zeffirellie's version Hamlet is literally in a cellar where they put the dead. He was staring at what he'd become if he took his life. Hamlet kneels down by a tomb with his hands folded on top and it honestly seems like he is praying either to die or for a sign of what he should do. His voice changes from soft to anger and strength, its almost as if he realized that what he was saying was so crazy. This choice between life and death is clearly eating him alive, he is just so distressed by it. He questions why anyone would want to live through hell as if its a simple answer but then he question what really is in the afterlife. In my opinion this version really captures the conflict Hamlet is facing and how much its getting to him. Almereyda's version was one of my least favorites. I liked how dead Hamlet looks, in his voice and appearance he just seems so worn down. In this version he is walking around a blockbuster aimlessly, looking from one side to the other. In the scene he is indecisive about a movie which is symbolism for how in reality, he is indecisive about wanting to live or die. In Oliver's and Almereyda's version I liked their use of symbolism (the waves and the movies) and their concepts but they weren't my favorite because they didn't execute their ideas well. Their acting wasn't overwhelmingly good and they ultimately were just dull. Zeffirellie's was my favorite, the little details here and there just added to the depth of Hamlets words and his acting was phenomenal. I liked Branagh's version because of the intensity of the conversation with himself in the mirror but Zeffirellie's captivated me.

Analysis of Three Different Versions of The Ghost Scene from Hamlet

Version I - Zeffirelli

Hamlet was very angry and distraught, he seemed to be falling off the rocker. Hamlet sees the ghost and chases after it, up the stairs to one of the towers in the castle. He slows and walks around with his sword up as if anticipating an attack. In that moment he looks so crazed and he's talking quickly as there's suspenseful music in the background. But when meeting face to face with the ghost his anger releases, he is in disbelief because its his dead father. In their conversation Hamlet is very attentive to what the ghost has to say. With the state Hamlet is already in emotionally, the information the ghost tells him overwhelms him with emotions he is on the brink of tears and so is the ghost. But the other side of that emotion would be reflected later on by Hamlet. After the ghost leaves Hamlet goes on a rampage. He is so enraged and wishes to seek revenge for his fathers murder right then and there. He start screaming and hitting is sword on things in hopeless attempts at nothing. Majority of the scene was dark and minimalistic but in this case simplicity was best.

Version II - Branagh

The beginning was so fast pace and crazy, I could hardly understand what they were saying. Hamlet runs off and follows the ghost into the forest but as he's running, there's explosions, and the ghost is echoing loudly and is very creepy but seems to be nowhere. Hamlet stops in the middle of the forest surrounded by trees and the thick fog. This part of the scene reminded me of the Wizard of Oz when they enter the Emerald City and go to meet The Great and Powerful Oz. I didn't really like the special affects for explosions, I thought they were unnecessary. The ghost in this one actually looked like a ghost; he was blue tinted, flushed, creepy and overall drone looking. I liked the use of flashbacks because they helped to better understand the situation the ghost is talking about and his feelings. Hamlet at the end was angry but was more upset, he cried and was just so overcome with emotion. When he promises to get revenge for his father he does become enraged and starts yelling, but that's understandable in context. Overall this version had god and bad aspects but I thought it was overacted so therefore not my favorite.

Version III - Almereyda

This version was a worlds difference because of how modern it was compared to the others, it took place in a high rise in Manhattan. The ghost was in a suit and looked like a guy who worked on wall street. Opposed to the other versions this one was bright, the lights in the room was on and you could see the entirety of the room and the people in it. The ghost foreshadows what he's going to tell Hamlet when he puts the cloth to his ear where the poison was poured. Hamlet and his father's(the ghost's) relationship felt as close as I expected it to be which the other versions didn't capture in my opinion. They were very in each other's faces the whole time and made lots of eye connection. This scene seemed more real and that what the ghost had to say was just for Hamlet, therefore more important and personal as well. When Hamlet starts crying the ghost comforts him by holding him. I noticed as well the ghost whispers what he has to say most of the time making it more sensitive. Right before the ghost leaves they share in a big embrace as if to give their final goodbyes. The portrayal of Hamlet and the ghosts relationship in this one seemed more accurate which makes this version standout to me.