NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
I believe Frances Zefferilli's version of Shakespeare's Hamlet, made in 1990, is one of the best versions of the play to be put onto screen. The film, starring Mel Gibson as Hamlet, and Glen Close as Queen Gertrude, takes a different look to the play. Zefferilli explores the physiological stability of Hamlet very well, especially in Act 3, Scene 4. The interpretation I got of that scene in the text was different to the one given in the movie. After reading the scene, I got the idea that Hamlet was already quite mixed up - he had just come out of a scene where he could have killed the king, but his blunted purpose gets in the way. The killing of Polonius in the text gave me the idea that Macbeth was anxious to find out who he had killed, Is it the king?
When he finds out that it was Polonius he doesnt seem too put off by it. He just continues on. He isnt put off because he had such high hopes that it would be the king, so instead of being sad about the murder of his trusted councillor, he is merely disappointed that it had to be Polonius calling for help instead of the king. This part of the scene is presented a bit differently in the movie. When Hamlet enters, you can really tell that he has gone mad. He is sad one minute, the next minute hell give out an almighty roar.
Zefferilli has used the scenes surrounding this one to make it seem important. In some of the versions they didnt have the near death of Claudius the scene before. I think having this scene beforehand sets you up for Hamlets confrontation with his mother. You can really tell that both Hamlet and Gertrude are affected by Hamlets insanity. Both of them appear to cry for most of the scene. The whole scene is a sharing of emotions.
The kiss is a connection between them both, rather than a lust they both have for any sexual contact. They needed to connect physically in some way, after all they are mother and son. When the ghost of Hamlets father enters, Hamlet is eager to find out what he has to say. The ghost suggests that Hamlet talks to his mother but Gertrude still believes that he has lost his sanity, Alas, how ist with you? . In the movie the ghost appears to be a real person, not a see through character like the other movies depict. This is done to cause the allusion that Hamlets father is still there, he still has a say in what happens to his family.
There is no talk of a kiss in the text, nor is there talk of Hamlet giving out an almighty roar. Shakespeare's work was there to be played with. You dont find any stage directions or any actions in the text, youre meant to associate your style of film or stage with the text rather than adapting another totally different style already given to you.
Free research essays on topics related to: hamlets father, sad, gertrude, hamlets, polonius
Research essay sample on Almighty Roar Hamlets Father Scene