Ophelia's Final Farewell

In Hamlet Ophelia is a defining character but without Hamlet Ophelia is nothing. In John Everett's depiction of Ophelia she is resting peacefully in the river. Showing her in this light provides a calm sense over the play that her struggles were finally over. Most artists depict Ophelia as mad. They often have her in her mad state a but this one just shows her at peace with the world instead of battling against it. I think Shakespeare intended Ophelia to be grief stricken and guilty to the point of her own sanity. I do not believe that Ophelia killed herself I do however believe that after the branch broke she felt "Why try anymore" and did not fight her drowning. Even if it was not planned she contributed it. I do not think Gertrude had any part in her death. Even though Gertrude is a little unjust she is not a murderer. Loosing Hamlet, and her father to Hamlet because of her is enough to drive anyone crazy. Her guilt mixed with her hurt is a contributing factor to her madness. I do feel sorry for Ophelia, I mean she has no one. Her father is dead, the love of her life has gone "mad" and her brother is off gallivanting in France. She's left to deal with this burden alone and that to much to handle for one person without a support system of some kind. Yes the King and Queen helped her but they can't entirely know how to handle her grief because they do not know her on a personal level like Hamlet or her family do. I would represent Ophelia as grief stricken and consumed with her own guilt to the point of her demise.
Eulogy for Ophelia:
Ophelia was a wonderful and bright girl. She was driven to madness in her state of grief because she simply couldn't handle it alone. Ophelia deserves the right to a Christian burial because none of us here know what exactly happened. The only one who could possibly tell us is lying before us in a wooden casket. Ophelia was left to grieve alone without anyone who understood her and when her brother finally returned it was to late and she was gone. Ophelia's legacy will live on forever and I pray God lay her soul to rest and that she may have more peace in Heaven than on Earth.

DO IT ALREADY!!

In this scene Hamlet is faced with the dilemma to either kill Claudius when he is praying or to wait until he is in the middle of doing something. Personally I believe that Hamlet is stalling. If he really wanted to kill Claudius he would have done it when he had the chance. Hamlet is so consumed with grief, betrayal and revenge that he is jumping to immediate extreme action. When he can just expose Claudius to the kingdom he wants to kill him. Deep down Hamlet loves his uncle but wants to avenge his father's death. Death doesn't have to be the solution to everything if anything it makes things worse. I mean Hamlet killed Polonius because he thought that he was Claudius behind the curtain. But if you really think about it why would the KING be hiding in his own castle in HIS wife's quarters. I do not understand that logic again giving the illusion that Hamlet really does not know what he is doing. Hamlet had the perfect opportunity to kill Claudius but he makes up an EXCUSE to cover up his true feelings. He is angry, hurt and is slowly going mad, yet he feels killing his uncle will solve all that. Did he even stop to think what could possibly happen after he killed Claudius. Not only is the thrown at stake but also Hamlet's dignity, sanity, respect, and life. Hamlet can truly loose everything if he goes through with killing Claudius. Hamlet is grief stricken and killing Claudius will not help but make it worse. The Queen contributes to this because she married so soon after King Hamlet's death and ignored her son through his grieving process. Hamlet is not taken seriously and is shut out because of his behavior. But he basically chickened out of killing Claudius because Hamlet does not control if he goes to heaven or hell. So how is Hamlet going to kill Claudius when he isn't praying so he can send him to hell.

Is it easier to end it all?

To be or not to be speech reflection:

Olivier’s Version:

The setting in this version is on a cliff next to the water. The rush of the ways banging against the rocks has a dramatic effect and the black and white setting gives it a more mysterious feel. The director is trying to convey a since of hopelessness, longing and suspense from the setting. The music in this version is very dramatic and provides a suspenseful effect to the viewer. The scene is in black and white and there are no props used. Hamlet is most of the time lounging on the rocks and looking into the sky as if he is looking for answers. The actor is calm but also confused in a way because he does not know what to do.

Zeffirelli’s Version:

The setting in this version is in the tomb of the late King Hamlet. Hamlet is walking around in the catacombs while saying this monologue. The setting being in the catacombs provides an eerie creepy effect. The director is trying to convey Hamlet as a confused slightly mad man. Hamlet is saying this soliloquy slowly and very suspicious like. There is no music in this version, this provides a lonely effect, almost as if Hamlet is the only honest and noble person left in Denmark. There are not any props used and the scene is shot in dim lighting.  Hamlet is walking around his father’s tomb and saying the more dramatic lines toward the light showing his face in a clear light for a couple of seconds. The actor-playing Hamlet seems conflicted but by the end of the scene seems sure of what he is going to do.

Branaugh’s Version:

The setting of this version is in the castle and Hamlet is in front of a mirror delivering this soliloquy. Hamlet gives off the effect of him speaking to himself, a classic case of Man vs Self. The music in this scene is calming but rather suspenseful the music changes to a soft melody when Ophelia walks in. The lighting is bright and there are no props used. The light in the scene seems hopeful and happy completely contradicting Hamlet’s tone of voice during the scene. Hamlet is constantly looking in the mirror and pointing to himself as if telling him to ‘listen’ or ‘pay attention.’ The actor delivers his lines clear, calm, but powerful.

Amereyda’s Version:

The setting in this version is in a Blockbuster or 7/11. This gives Hamlet that longing and confused effect as he walks around the store. There is a movie playing that has explosions and it feeds into him contemplating death. The lighting is bright and provides a modern more effective feel. The lighting makes it seem that everything is okay with Hamlet when in reality he is on the brink of suicide. Hamlet is looking around the store like he cannot decide what he wants but in reality he does not know what to do. The actor is calm giving the effect of contemplating a hard decision in his mind.

There are so many versions of the play because each director or person reading it has a different view on it. Because there are so many different versions different people can relate to Hamlet in one way or another. I enjoyed Zeffirelli’s version the most because of the setting. The setting relates completely to the soliloque in the original Hamlet. Hamlet is contemplating dying because of all the pain he is facing. It is easier to end it all but getting through what he is going through is what will make him stronger.