Singh 1 Brownie Singh Ms.

Lawrence AP English 4 2 November 11 Hamlet In Shakespeares Hamlet, there are a variety of things that take place to help set the stage of Hamlets ghost speech. And while, films can not capture every moment of a film, they do try to retain as much as they can. However, there is something that separates the best from the good and these can be distinguished by identifying the shock and disbelief style imagery with the accuracy of the events that have taken place prior to this event and the discursive implications of the Ghosts speech. In Shakespeares Hamlet, the setting is set by the Ghost, as indicated by the beckoning of the ghost from Hamlet towards himself. It beckons you to go away with it, As if it some impartment did desire To you alone. (Act 1, scene 4, 4). While the movies might have shown this earlier, none of the movies have the ghost beckoning Hamlet towards itself, instead in all of the interpretations Hamlet happens to stumble upon the ghost in the designated area. Earlier in the play, the guards are on lookout near the castle which is where they encounter the ghost numerous times apparently. (Act, Scene 1, 1). It would only be logical for the ghost to reappear in/near the castle. The most accurate in depicting some sort of scenery would be Oliviers, Gibsons and Branaghs. The other two are either set inside Hamlets room, or the woods. Also, once Hamlet, discovers his father, there are 2 wardrobe indications. The first being, Hamlets father is wearing his battle armor, which is only done in Oliviers. The rest depict Hamlets father as some sort of hermit or lonely old man. Secondly, all of them seem to be inaccurate in what they perceive would be Hamlets attire. Hamlet is beckoned by the ghost on a somewhat

Singh 2 short notice, however, all of the available depictions seem to indicate that Hamlet is suited up for battle which would not make in context of the play due to the initial interaction between the two individuals. Which means it is also mandatory to interrogate the interaction between the 2 once they have met each other, the play indicates a moderately peaceful interaction where Hamlet is startled and shaken but no violent acts are committed. This is indicative of when most of Hamlets replies consist of one or two word replies. (Act 1, Scene 5, 1&2). None of them except for Oliviers capture the essence of the surprise Hamlet undertakes. Hawkes depicts the ghost choking his son which doesnt happen, Gibsons depicts a world where Hamlet is on the offensive and trying to slay whatever it is talking to him, and Branaghs depicts Davy Jones of Pirates Of The Carribean attempting to scare his son out of any action. Thus, the question arises what are the ghosts intentions. The play itself never places an emphasis on death, however 3 of the 4 interpretations seem to indicate that it does. In a careful look of the rhetoric deployed, the ghost indicates to attain vengeance but purgatory is a terrible place where no soul should suffer and that Gertrude, his wife, should be ultimately spared. (Act 1, Scene 5, 3). Due to the ghosts recognition of murder being an inherent evil, it does not seem that the ghost wants his beloved son to end up in the same position as him, so assumptions of murder would therefore not be accurate. The other 3 films, besides Oliviers, place an extra emphasis upon the slaying, murderous nature of the ghosts brother and how Hamlet must seek revenge. But Oliviers has a slight undertone of endearment that indicates that something beyond revenge is needed. Thus, given the implications of Shakespeares play, there is enough conclusive evidence to indicate that Oliviers interpretation of Hamlet would be the most accurate due to the in depth rhetorical analysis beyond murder and accounting of facts within the play.

Singh 3 Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet: Entire Play." The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://shakespeare.mit.edu/hamlet/full.html>. Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet Act 1 - Ghost (Zeff) - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyRZOx1PICk>. Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet ~ Kenneth Branagh ~ Ghost Scene - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HfT634yxmI>. Shakespeare, William. "Olivier A1s5 Ghost's Story - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjx_ihCkA38>.