Yes, this is where Shakespeare writes, "To be or not to be - that is the question"(3.1.64).
Here are the videos that I found.
Please watch both of these clips, they are not as boring as you would think. I enjoyed both!
I would like to notice that both of these videos have Hamlet talking in a soft voice. It was neat that they both had that element because it made the soliloquy about death quite eerie. Also, that was most likely a choice of both directors of the scenes (and quite possibly Shakespeare and Hamlet) so it is not as obvious that Hamlet is talking to himself, but more of 'thinking aloud'.
In the second video, I like how the actor quivers his lips as if he is having a hard time saying his lines because the topic of the soliloquy is not really happy and an easy thing to say especially when being a devout Christian like Hamlet.
I also like how dramatic and up-close the camera angles are. It seems as if you are really are inside Hamlet's thoughts.
In the first video, I really like how there is a mirror. It makes the scene seem even more dark and depressing, as if he is judging himself, if he is like a weak girl or not. And, spoiler alert(not if you did what I said and watched the videos), Hamlet pulls out a sword as if he is going to kill himself right there and then! This really adds to the dramatic-ness(sorry that is not a word) of the scene and the soliloquy.
Overall, I would have to say I liked the first video the most. The props and setting of the scene make it more dramatic and real to the viewer. I also enjoy how the camera slowly zooms in on Hamlet, it just makes it a lot more interesting to watch, instead of up-close-and-personal zoomed in all the way like the first video.
Oh and for your entertainment here is the "to be or not to be" soliloquy song!
Good-bye for now!
Rachel, I also selected your first video as one of my two videos, and it was also my favorite! I liked it for many of the same reasons you liked it. The actor's soft voice, for example, was an element of the video that I brought up in my own blog because I love the introspective effect it gave the scene. The eeriness that it provides, however, didn't occur to me until I read your blog. Also, you say that the mirror in the video "makes the scene seem even more dark and depressing, as if [Hamlet] is judging himself, if he is like a weak girl or not." First of all, I thought that this was pretty funny, and secondly, I completely agree that Hamlet is deeply considering himself when he looks into the mirror and slowly walks toward it. I think it's so interesting how much we agreed on when watching the video, and thank you for presenting points that didn't occur to me!
ReplyDeleteHey Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI also used the first video in my blog post. It wasn’t my favorite but I did like it. I do agree with you that the actor has a soft almost eerie voice, which adds to the suspense of the scene. I also like the use of props such as the dagger, which makes the scene more exciting. In my post I wrote about the mirror and how it made Hamlet seem as if he was taking a closer look at himself and as you said, judging himself. The second video was really different on the other hand. I felt that this scene was much less exciting. The camera was zoomed in on the actor the entire time making the scene much less interesting. If I had to choose between these two videos I would agree with you and say the first video is better. By the way I really like that song you put at the end. Great job!!
Kimya