Worksheet Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Hamlet’ Based on William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ is the most discussed and analyzed literary work widely appreciated all around the world. As it has always been the most “trendy” tale for centuries, various movies have been made inspired by the same theme. Numerous articles and researches have been done around the artistic work and its adaptions. It is estimated that there are over 50 film adaptations of the play, and many loose adaptions like ‘The Lion King’ (English), ‘Haider’ (Hindi), ‘The Bad Sleep Well’ (Japanese), and many more. But, the first unabridged version of the play is Kenneth Branagh’s movie “Hamlet”. Watch the trailer if you have missed the film ‘Hamlet’ by Kenneth Branagh. (Click on the link)

Worksheet

Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Hamlet’

Based on William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’

                      Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ is the most discussed and analyzed literary work widely appreciated all around the world. As it has always been the most “trendy” tale for centuries, various movies have been made inspired by the same theme. Numerous articles and researches have been done around the artistic work and its adaptions. It is estimated that there are over 50 film adaptations of the play, and many loose adaptions like ‘The Lion King’ (English), ‘Haider’ (Hindi), ‘The Bad Sleep Well’ (Japanese), and many more. But, the first unabridged version of the play is Kenneth Branagh’s movie “Hamlet”. Watch the trailer if you have missed the film ‘Hamlet’ by Kenneth Branagh. (Click on the link)

                            This blog is formed on the basis of a worksheet (Post- viewing task) assigned by Prof. Dr. Dilip Barad Sir, Head of English Department, M K Bhavnagar University. Click on the link to navigate the worksheet of Dr. Dilip Barad Sir on Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Hamlet’ based on ‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare.

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

                        Kenneth Branagh’s movie “Hamlet” is much more faithful to Shakespeare’s script (the original play)  in terms of its originality in words, deep and insightful soliloquies as well as its length onscreen than any other movies of similar adaptation. It is an unabridged version. Branagh’s movie can be called a high-budget film as it is multi starrer movie featuring –

                  Hence in Shakespeare’s play, it was the dialogues through which he used to support the decorations of the plain stage but in Branagh’s movie, some of the dialogues seem to be to a certain extent worthless as his sets are excessively fanciful and decorated. His ‘Hamlet’ provides his vision (perspective) of looking at Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. Hence, his overly decorated palace, his texture- the setting, costumes give an illusion of the 18^th century while Shakespeare’s play is set in 12^th century Denmark. 

                     We cannot securely say that Branagh’s movie strictly follows Shakespeare’s structure of the plot and scenes. Despite being largely faithful to the play, Branagh’s movie has some dramatic additions-

                      In a nutshell, it can be said that the movie is faithful to the original play to some extent only but it is also a fact that Branagh is far more faithful to Shakespeare than any other filmmakers have been as he hasn’t excluded any of Shakespearean scenes. 

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

                                              My perceptions about the play were formed by experiencing all the characters’ intense feelings and intentions by reading thoroughly the play in one seating. I was much more occupied and reserved with the Hamlet effect. Hence, my interpretation of every situation was very reticent but it steadily changed after watching the movie. After movie screening of Branagh’s “Hamlet”, it had provided “a face” to all characters which the reading failed to provide. A face that reveals the secret motives of characters is excellently portrayed in the movie, the beauty and charm of Kate Winslet contribute more to the portrayal of Ophelia but on the other hand, the play’s Prince Hamlet seems much younger and prepossessing than the Hamlet of the movie (played by Kenneth Branagh). So this in some way disturbs the preoccupied perception. 

                                             And some situations in the 'play' throw light on very harsh behavior as for example in act 3, scene 2, Hamlet’s behavior with Ophelia is mild as the chorus but on the other hand, in the movie, he screams in a loud voice and displays his angriness.

                                             Some of the scenes and situations play a very vital role in changing general perceptions. In the movie, the ghost of King Hamlet appears three times just as the play which changes the way or outlook of the ghost of the play. 

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

                    Yes, I felt ‘aesthetic delight’ in many scenes while watching the movie. The scenes which appealed to my senses are-

#the first appearance of the Apparition-

                       In the very first scene, the guards’ reactions of the appearance of the apparition and its reference on two occasions create a feeling of fear in our mind while reading and while watching the movie, this feeling is intensified when the apparition actually appears! This scene slightly meets our expectation. And so I found the scene much appealing. 

#Finest soliloquy- To be or not to be-

In this scene, Prince Hamlet is talking to himself, his most inner heart and soul alone and away from all worldly dirt. The shot was very excellently taken in the film. This flaw in the mirror is an innovative imagination of Branagh. 

#Grave-digging scene-

This humorous scene provides much fun though it is laid on the graveyard. Commenting on Ophelia’s death by drowning, the first gravedigger speaks in a lighthearted manner and describes the incident in an amusing manner:

“Here lies the water; good: here stands the man; good; if the man go to this water, and drown himself, it is, will he, nill he, hegoes,--mark you that; but if the water come to him and drown him, he drowns not himself: argal, he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life.”

The first gravedigger makes this observation in order to clarify whether Ophelia had committed suicide or she had drowned by accident. As the scene progresses it takes into shape on the intellectual and philosophical grounds. The heart sizing orchestral sound, the tone of Hamlet while delivering his lines that even the comical gravediggers became serious when they saw Hamlet’s sensitive moment of life. His words reflect the great loss of a loved one through the flashback technique.  Hamlet's dialogue gives aesthetic delight. 

“I loved Ophelia: forty thousand brothers

Could not, with all their quantity of love,

Make up my sum.”

One more scene when Hamlet, like a brave fighter and swordsman, finally killed Claudius, in this scene which gives ultimate satisfaction. And this heroic shot of movie increases its worth when he swings down with the help of a chandelier.

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

                Yes, I felt catharsis while watching the movie. During very first soliloquy of Prince Hamlet, he has been urged to cast off deep melancholy which they think have taken possession of him as a consequence of his father’s death. In this soliloquy Hamlet’s deepest grief is revealed. This soliloquy reflects his filial attachment to his dead father that he makes a general attachment on women for which he may be questioned for being a misogynist.

            Hamlet’s angriness and his harsh words, his accusations and his advice to Ophelia to go to a nunnery and become a nun arouse catharsis. In a very insane condition, he breaks Ophelia’s heart and speaks things which makes only a little sense.

        I also felt catharsis when Ophelia goes mad because of Hamlet’s “madness”, a strong reason than her father’s death. This scene creates a highly cathartic effect on the viewer’s mind. It is a deeply touching scene. Even the more pathetic scene is where she is shown drowning which suggests her death.

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

Yes, Indeed. The movie helped me in better understanding of the play. A movie is an alternative for a book and has its own advantage. Some of the scenes of the movie played a very vital role in developing a deep insight towards some characters. The sets in the movie are so elegant that rarely can be imagined while reading the text. Even critics have commented on Branagh’s movie,

“Branagh’s dramatization of Hamlet’s madness allows the viewer to understand his state of mind, and to empathize with the vengeful and impulsive prince. Additionally, the use of facial expressions, mannerisms, and visual cues allows the viewer to translate and interpret the obsolete language of Shakespeare.”

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

I would cherish the scene of Polonius moralizing his son, his advice to his son Laertes when he leaves Denmark. He provides his son exactly what he needs by the way of guidance. The tragedy of the killings at the end of the play might have been averted if he had put into action what his father had told him.

The culmination of his father’s speech, in the famous lines beginning carries much more worth.

“This above all: to thine ownself be true.”

And his instructions to his daughter Ophelia about affection as nothing!

“Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,

When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul

Lends the tongue vows. These blazes, daughter,

Giving more light than heat, extinct in both

Even in their promise as it is a-making,

You must not take for fire. From this time

Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence.

Set your entreatments at a higher rate

Than a command to parley.”

“Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers

Not of that dye which their investments show,

But mere implorators of unholy suits,

Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,

The better to beguile.”

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

If I was to direct the movie, I would like to make the following changes in the remaking of movie on Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’-

Firstly, I would give the role of Prince Hamlet to Orlando Bloom, as he perfectly suits for the character of Prince Hamlet instead of Kenneth Branagh.

Secondly, as it’s the first unabridged version of Shakespeare’s play, I would give much more emphasis to some of the dialogues and would give them a perfect melodious tone than the mere mundane speech and would divide the length of the movie into two parts.

Thirdly, I would make the costumes more like that of Elizabethan age or that of 12^th century France so that it would create a replica of either 16^th century or 12^th century Denmark folk. And by doing this the movie may be considered as a historical saga.

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

                             At the beginning of the movie, the camera rolls over the statue of King Hamlet (in a hard metal) outside the Elsinore castle which symbolizes the strength and power of the well-established Dynasty. The movie ends with a similar sequence wherein the statue of the King Hamlet is hammered down to the dust. It is to be noted that Branagh provides the viewer with a kind of supplement to Shakespeare’s play. The destruction of King Hamlet’s statue might symbolize the ‘Revenge’- which is of course not the moral answer as per Branagh. It was King Hamlet who wanted his murder to be avenged and thus the fall of his statue rightly signifies the fall of his dynasty. The fall of the Kingdom is symbolically shown by the statue of King Hamlet, toppled down at the end. 

It also may signify the concept of revenge. A quote which Vladimir Makarov had written in Modern Warfare 2, truly justifies this scene.

“Revenge is like a ghost. It takes over every man it touches. Its thirst cannot be quenched until the last man standing has fallen.”

Humanity can survive only on the condition that neither man nor woman receives unconstrained the substance of his desire.

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

While studying the play through the movie, I found ‘Moral and Philosophical Approach’ approach more applicable to the play-

Approach	In Hamlet	Reason
Moral and Philosophical Approach	delightful and instructive Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. Act 1, Scene 3 Polonius. Existentialism “To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,” - act 3, scene 1,  Hamlet “Words, words, words" Act  2, scene 2	Polonius’ advice to Laertes is still relevant and applicable in today’s world. This too is so relevant and applicable in 21st century that almost all people have faced this dilemma at one moment in their lives. And Branagh has artistically performed this scene. This scene too reveals the beautiful acting by Kenneth Branagh.

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

The approach which appealed to me more is Marxist Feminism. According to Bengt Holmström,

“Marxist feminism is an emancipatory, critical framework that aims at understanding and explaining gender oppression in a systematic way”.

The main objective of the Marxist feminist is to liberate women by metamorphosing the conditions of their oppression and ill-treatment by society. Hence, this approach appealed to me more as it gives the insight to understand the two lead female characters of ‘Hamlet’. This approach throws light on the condition of women in a male-dominated patriarchal society. I can apply Toni Morrison’s quote to highlight the character of Ophelia and Gertrude, 

“They were just women…what they said was easily ignored by a good brave man”.

In ‘Hamlet’, Ophelia is controlled by Laertes and his father Polonius; in fact, she is used as a pawn by Polonius and becomes a victim of Hamlet’s rage. She is not a free agent to make choices of her own. Gertrude, on the other hand, lives her life by depending on the man. She either is not a free agency too or is hated by her son whom she loves more. Hence, this approach provides a deeper insight into female sensibilities are almost ignored in the play of Shakespeare. And this also provides a good explanation of Hamlet’s statement-

“Frailty thy name is woman”

 Many more interpretations can be derived from this attack of Hamlet on women in general.