Ophelia's Demise

Today, Ophelia, daughter of Polonius, joins many other important people of the kingdom in this hollow ground right before us.  She will be among those who had brought nothing but happiness to the kingdom.

Ophelia as most of us know her was a kind hearten person who saw nothing but good in people. Despite the death of her father she managed to carry on.

Ophelia, though blinded by love, had excellent advice when asked about relationships. She had the ability of telling whether one was being too blunt about a situation or one was being too calm.  Ophelia would tell me not to mourn her death but celebrate the good times we had together. She would have said the same thing to each one of you standing here today.

I first met Ophelia on one of my morning jogs. She called to me and asked me my name. Several runs after that she would say hello and eventually we started having intellectual conversations.  I soon then became one of guardsmen. Though we had a bond, because of her position and my position we rarely spoke among the others. I then started doing my morning jogs and our six am conversations came alive once. 

She once told me “true love does not hurt. It is our perception of it that does.” At that time I was going down a dangerous roller coaster of emotions and with her wisdom and kind heart, she prevented me from crashing.

Despite how her last days on earth were, Ophelia was still that kind hearten and wise person deep under all the crazy talk. She always told me that if something happened to her or her dad I should be in charge of her funeral. Even though unusual she told me, besides her and brother, I was one of the few she trusted with her life.

Ophelia taught me about self love and that no one can love someone that does not love themselves. She made me realize what I deserved and how I should be treated. I started loving myself and came to the conclusion that no one deserves me. Ophelia had a huge part to play in me finding myself and I wish many of you had the chance of getting to know that side of her.

Many people came by the castle the day of her death and started crying. I was a bit surprised at this because Ophelia did not associate outside of the castle. It then dawned on me that when you are a generous, kind hearten and well spoken of your traits live on into your death and attracts people who wished they had known you better.

Ophelia we all share a great level of pain and wish you were still alive. We need more people like Ophelia: pleasant, kind-hearten, wise, and one that does not allow wealth to define them in our world. We miss you Ophelia and we continue to allow your ever so bright light to shine threw us. 

Elsinore way ; The Dilemma

Hamlet's Dilemma is one of those scenes that's causes you to place yourself in a pair of shoe that you would never think of wearing. It causes you to think of when is the perfect time to kill someone. Throughout Hamlet's dilemma, he believed that killing Claudius at the right time would send him where he should be; hell. In this scene Claudius selfishness is highlighted and shows that even though he wants forgiveness he still wants his power. Most times people are willing to trade their self respect to either maintain or receive power. Hamlet’s Dilemma provides audience with the opportunity to see that even family will turn on you to gain what they believe is owed to them.

    A man should never take away another man’s life especially if one did not grant it. The legal system in America has eliminated the death penalty and most cultures elsewhere stone or resort to other form of torture as their death penalty. In Exodus 20:13 KJV, as a part of the 10 Commandments, it states thou shall not kill. No man is exempt from this commandment nor is he above the power of the Lord. In my opinion, Claudius act of prayer was done to let him feel good about repenting but it was not done out of sincerity.

It is obvious that Claudius is guilty based on the ghost’s recalling of events, his reaction to Hamlets play and his confession through prayer. If he had not done such crime he would not be king nor would he had the opportunity of marrying Gertrude. If Hamlet goes ahead and kill Claudius there are two possible outcomes. He could get locked up or majority of the citizens would defend him and plea insanity. Murder is a cruel act which goes against moral rights and the Lord’s Commandments and often presents the question of when is it ethical to kill someone and can murder be justifiable. 

"To be or not to be " Tatianna7

         To be or not to be is one of the most popular speeches causing it to be enact by various amount of directors.
         One of the many versions is done by Oliver . Having the scene above the sea represents his 'sea' of problems. The wave sounds represents his problems crashing into his life with no warning. I also feel as if the wave sounds are symbolic to how absent minded he became thinking about death. Doing the scene in black and white gives off the effect of the gloominess and sadness which the speech brings about. Hamlet in this version voices his idea in such a monotone as if it has been his long dying wish for it to happen; as if death does not phase him.

        Mel Gibson's version is really great especially since it is set in a tomb which gives of the feeling of the time period Hamlet was set in. He absent mindlessly stared at the dead bodies as if wondering how it feels to sleep forever. Gibson gives off the idea that Hamlet's suicidal thoughts are becoming stronger and more wanted. He also brings out a great point of view about suicide and how much thought is placed on suicide most of the time.
     

          Kenneth Branagh's version was not bad but could have been done better. The lighting could have been darker and castle could have had a more 'ancient' look. Hamlet uses the mirror to convince himself and uses the mirror as a symbol to his internal struggles he faces. Being alone in the castle most of the time shows how alone he is with his though. Even though it was not badly done I still have a strong dislike for his version because of how much it seems like a 'rip-off '.
       
          Almereyda's version is actually great. Hamlet walks in an 'action' aisle which is ironic because of failure to take action. Him also walking through the store alone and talking to his subconscious shows how alone he is with his thoughts and no one has an idea of what is going through his head. I also think him walking alone in a 'crowded' store symbolizes how there are many people around but no to talk to or listen his problems.

       There are many versions of this scene because of the major internal struggle which is present. Most times people think of suicide  whether it has to do with their love life or the feeling of being alone.This scene in all versions depicts it well and shows how your thoughts can eat you alive.

Directors Ghost

Zeffirelli's version of Hamlet is more realistic and captures my attention more. He uses dramatic sounds to intensify the situation of the ghost appearance which makes it appears scary. The lighting of the scene allowed me to feel what the characters there felt; fear and discomfort. Upon the Ghost appearance , it was mostly in the shadows as if trying to stay out of sight. As for Branagh's version, the special effects were too much . It had the set up of a low budget horror movie gone wrong. Branagh should have removed some of the smoke as it was too much to the scene. The fact that the ghost had contacts in and dyed his hair to fit the Danish role was excellent. Great  lighting and great use of making the Amour visible. Finally Almereyda 's version could have use major work. It had the effects of a Lifetime Movie. The dad did not return in an armor but a jacket instead. The lighting gave no room for the audience to be scared. There was a lot of room for special effects besides just dramatic sound. The version of the scene was created as if the director had no idea about what happened in Hamlet. It does not even have the setting of the time period was set in but that of a 2002 drama based movie.  

If I had to create this scene I would  have the lighting set as if it was in that time period , I would make sure the armor is present and I would make sure the clothing are as close to the time period as possible. My focus would be on how the ghost's demeanor was during its visit and also the son's reaction making it emotional. I would definitely use the dramatic sound and when the ghost would talk he would have a fainted voice of someone who is not there. I would also try to find the best of the best actors to act out the novel. When the scene is over I want my audience to feel as if they were apart of the scene. I would also like them to leave with the thought that Hamlet is intriguing book and should be looked into. I refuse to allow my audience to leave and say that it was just another version and be easily dismissed.