Eulogy for Ophelia

Today we are gathered here to remember the life of Ophelia. We are all so sorry that no one was there to help you and support you through your rough times. If only you let us help you we could have prevented this tragedy from happening. I feel so sorry that you had to go through so many losses. I know losing the love of your life hurts but also losing your father is even worse, I can only imagine the pain you felt. I know all you wanted was Hamlet's attention but he was to childish to own up to his ways. You were such a beautiful and innocent girl. You always did everything for the best and always looked at the good. It is such a shame that people now notice what a major benefit they have lost now that you are gone. You should not blame yourself for the madness of others. Hamlet's madness did not happen because of you, it was all about his family. Also the death of your father was not your fault and I hope you realize it if you have not already.  

I feel as though you taking your life proved that you had gone mad. If you were that crazy to take your life I feel very sorry for you. We know Hamlet leaving you had a great impact of your emotions but you did not deserve this. You did not deserve any of this. It is wrong that the outcome of other people's actions led you this far to where you could not stand living anymore. Having the people that you wanted their attention most, finally give it to you once you are gone is horrible. The fact that it took them to have your death make them realize how much they love you and how much you mean to them is rude. If they really meant that they loved you this much, they would have been by your side helping you through your madness. Or your madness would not have even started. Now that you are gone you will be much happier with out them in Heaven even though you will see them again one day. Although it is against Christian ways I think you deserve a respectful and proper burial. Even though you took your own life, it shows that you were suffering and could not take it anymore which you should be respected for. The people should accept your decision now that it is done. We mourn for this loss and hope that you rest in peace. 

Hamlet's Dilemma

Hamlet's decision to kill Claudius had to be a hard one for him. Even though Claudius killed his father, that is still his uncle and he is family no matter what. I agree with Hamlet's decision to wait until Claudius is in a sinful moment to then kill him. Claudius does not deserve to get the easy way out and go straight to heaven when he dies. If King Hamlet did not get time to pray before he was killed, then Claudius should not have that benefit either. If Claudius can be disloyal to his own family then I think that Hamlet has the right too, he should just give it more time.  

This scene shows that Claudius does feel guilty about killing his brother. Even though he did not have the courage to tell Gertrude about the murder, he still was able to open up to God and ask for forgiveness. Maybe he was going to eventually tell Gertrude the truth? Maybe he went to God so that he finally got it off his chest to someone? Maybe he thinks that he will actually be forgiven for his murder. It also shows that Hamlet is the type of person to think something through before he takes action. Rethinking something before you act upon it can save you from a lot of regret. Since so many people think that Hamlet is going mad, I can only imagine what they would think about him if they found out he had killed his uncle. That would be two kings dead and Hamlet is the only one left to blame. The people may even think that he is after the throne and that he is responsible for his fathers and uncles murders. They will all go against Hamlet.

To Be Or Not To Be

Olivier's Version-  

 As I was watching this version I picked up on some of the symbols that were placed in it. As Hamlet says the line "Or to take the arms against a sea of troubles" he is actually laying on a cliff that is by the sea. When hamlet realized that he was not going to kill himself he ended up dropping the dagger off the cliff into the water. As Hamlet was describing that he was emotionally on the edge, he also was physically on the edge. The setting is very foggy and makes you mysterious about if he is going to kill himself or not. The way he presents his words in this version also adds up to the mystery. He would talk and then it would switch to internal talking. It seemed as though he was talking to himself at points.  

Zeffirelli's Version- 

Hamlet was wondering around a catacomb while presenting this speech. In his speech he realizes that he does not know what happens after death and as he realized that he happened to be looking at the dead bodies around him. He was looking at them and wondered what they felt like and what happened to them now. Hamlet was also talking up to the light as if he was talking to god to answer his prayers and help him. He would speak with anger in his words then switch to a very low tone when his emotions would change. They were back and fourth with anger and sadness. 

Branagh's Version- 

Branagh had Hamlet looking at himself in the mirror with the dagger in his hand at a castle. It showed that Hamlet was literally talking to himself. As he would walk towards the mirror the music came to be more noticeable. He holds the dagger to his face and then touches the mirror, he then pulls away when he notices that he is not the only one there. This version shows Polonios and Claudius hiding behind the mirror spying on Hamlet just like they were told in the actual play.  

Almereyda's Version- 

This version is very modern, Hamlet is speaking while he is in a DVD store. He happens to be walking up the aisle for action and does not take a movie. Hamlet is only thinking and fails to take action Which means that he has failed to take action which relates to what has been going on, He has not done anything that he wanted to after speaking to the ghost yet. In the back of Hamlet walking there is a movie playing that is about someone coming back from the dead for revenge. It is just like what the Ghost did, he came back to tell Hamlet so he can do something about it.  

I believe that there are so many versions of this play because people see the play differently. Everyone has their own opinion and we view things differently. Zeffirelli's version is still the best in my opinion. The way the characters present their lines in this play pulls me closer and gets me more interested.  

Ghost Scene

Each director had their own visions of how this scene was played out but after watching all three Ghost Scenes I can say that Zeffirelli's version is that best. Although this did not have as much effects as the Almereyda version, it showed the most emotion. The characters spoke with anger and sadness throughout the scene. The Branagh version had a very good choice in music and when to play the music. Also his version had the best special effects with fire spitting out of the ground and having mini earthquakes that the ground was separating. The music in his version got very intense when the ghost told Hamlet that his uncle had murdered him. The other two versions did not have good music added to the scene.  In Zeffirelli's version the ghost was hidden in the shadows but in the Almereyda version the ghost was in regular lighting and looked like a normal person. The Branagh version had the ghost looking very intimidating and was the only one in a clear suit of armor. When talking about the murder each ghost in all three scenes would talk in a screaming whisper. The fire in the scenes represent destruction. The flashback of the murder in the Branagh version created more of a visual for us to see and a better understanding of what happened to the king. The first version showed the relationship between Hamlet and his father. That version was very emotional and showed the characters crying. Mel Gibson was who played Hamlet in the first version. He showed his fear of first seeing the ghost and even more when he was talking to him. Gibson was very determined to get the ghost to talk to him so he followed him around the castle. Zeffirelli did a very good job at having the characters express the emotions throughout their parts