Hamlet: Thinking Activity

Post – Viewing Tasks:

1). How faithful is the movie to the original play?

Ans), The film "Hamlet", made by Kenneth Branagh, is not entirely credible for the original play. The setting is also of England. Some of the scene (Hamlet and Ophelia's bed scene) is not in the original play. Hamlet does not look young. All these things are added by the director. But the conversation vise he remains faithful. Because Kenneth Brenagh used every dialogue and scene from the original textbook, and so is the choice of all his characters for a movie.

On the other hand, Shakespeare put the setting in the original play of the 12th century. We cannot find such luxuries in the 12th century. Therefore, in my opinion, not completely true

2).After watching the movie, have your perception about play, characters or situations changed?

Ans), after watching the movie my perception about the play is changed. Before watching the movie I felt that the situations or setting of the play will be domestic. And Claudius is not suited to be the King. After watching the movie Hamlet, I have seen there is no changes in the characters or any situation. But there are some changes like the look of Prince Hamlet, Shakespeare has shown more Young Hamlet than the Kenneth Branagh shown.Branagh shown modern palace than 16th century and also used modern costumes of the characters, Ophelia, is also a powerful character. We can note that Gertrude was not happy because of the death of King Hamlet, but while in the movie we find that Gertrude was quite happy after the death of King Hamlet. In the movie there is some situation describe in a very smooth way in original play there were saying in a different way.

3). Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons?

Ans), Yes, I felt aesthetic delight when Hamlet and Ophelia living lovingly and also I was very happy when Hamlet killed Claudius. I feel aesthetic delight in some scene in the movie. The first scene is that in the starting of the movie when the camera focused on the luxurious and beautiful shining things in the Elsinore castle and all did party in the main hall in the castle. Another second scene is when Hamlet met the first time to the ghost in dark jungle

4). Do you feel 'catharsis' while watching a movie or after? If yes, when exactly did it happen? If no, can you explain the reasons?

Ans), Yes, at the end of the movie, I felt catharsis (pity and fear, purgation, purification). When Hamlet decided to avenge or kill his uncle Claudius. Previously he was confused or we could say more thoughtfully, but eventually, he gets ready to kill Claudius. Gertrude was dying on one side and Hamlet was lying alone. When Hamlet stood up and ran to Claudius, he made it intoxicating wine to drink heavily, I felt catharsis at that moment.

5). Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the play?

Ans), Obviously yes, we know that A picture has a thousand words. By the screening, we get a good idea that how the whole thing is going, whenever we feel Difficulty that time we can pause and solve the problem. screening of the movie helps me to a better understanding of the play we know that "An image describe thousands of words". Maybe we see the movie with more interest than reading so that helps a lot. We can easily remember the scene.

6). Was there any particular scene or moment in the movie that you will cherish lifetime?

Ans), The tomb-digging scene in which Hamlet talks to the tomb digger, and is very true to the dialogues of life and death.and The scene of the death of Claudius, the scene shows the son's allegiance to his father; Here, at last, his father, King Hamlet's murderer Claudius Hamlet, is murdered.

7). If you are director, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of movie on Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’?

 Ans),I will make Claudius character more effective. One more thing is that some times we feel bored while watching the movie so I will add some interesting things and remove unnecessary things. A person who plays a role of some kind of referee makes a long conversation with Hamlet when they meet each other for the first time. I would cut that scene and make it very brief.

8).In the beginning of the movie, camera rolls over the statue of King Hamlet outside the Elsinore castle. The movie ends with a similar sequence wherein the statue of the King Hamlet is hammered down to the dust. What sort of symbolism do you read in this?

Ans), The whole Kingdom including his family goes to vain because of King Hamlet or we can say his statue who calls Prince Hamlet to take revenge and that is rigidity  The destroyed of king Hamlet's statue conveys us that king Hamlet's eyes were open for the revenge in the beginning and at the end of the movie his revenge fulfilled so his eyes closed and sleep well through destroying the statue. the determined decision let his kingdom in dust

9) While studying the play through movie, which approach do you find more applicable to the play? Why? Give reasons with illustrations.

Ans). Historical or biographical, Feminist  Moral and Philosophical, Psychological  Mythical all This approaches we find more applicable during or watching the movie. Hamlet was a university student and also the Philosopher and sharper minded. We can see that he is driven by Psychological complexes. When Claudius alone while he was praying, at that time he had a great opportunity to kill him but he didn't. He thought that if he would kill him while praying then his soul would go to heaven which Hamlet never want. Here Psychological approach is as well as applicable.

10). Which of the above mentioned approaches (in Pre-viewing task) appeals you more than other? Why? Give reasons.

Ans), Before watching movie I found that only Psychological and Feminist approaches were more appropriate. Gertrude grabbed by Claudius but she was very well treated by Claudius. because characters dialogue delivery is so high so we can't understand easily. We can see much time, in the soliloquy of Hamlet, in the madness of Ophelia and also in the prayer of Claudius. We find the formalist approach