HamNun+Jung-Ah+Lee

Jung-Ah Lee April 13th 2010


 * Movie Comparison**
 * The intimacy of Ophelia and Hamlet is what exaggerates Hamlet's insanity.
 * The first movie - the two were rather distant, even from the beginning when Hamlet was giving his letter to Ophelia.
 * The second movie - his love for Ophelia did seem to make Hamlet insane, hurt and denying Ophelia's rejection.
 * The third movie - Their physical actions were so intense, romance did not seem to be the main focus of the scene.
 * The difference in setting altered the personalities or interpretations of the characters.
 * the first movie - seemed like the older one compared to the second one. I thought this had relevance to the distant relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet.
 * the second movie - seemed very modern, more like it took place just two hundred years ago. Therefore, they are more open and self-expression is not so forbidden compared to the first movie.
 * Ophelia's setting
 * First movie - a big class difference between Hamlet and Ophelia
 * Second movie - not much class difference.
 * Hamlet being aware of Claudius and Polonius.
 * first movie - sees them before he talks to Ophelia
 * second movie - sees them later during the scene
 * third movie - unclear
 * Claudius and Polonius' reaction
 * 1st movie - shows Polonius' reaction when Hamlet curses him
 * 2nd movie - a short capture at the end when they run off
 * 3rd movie - none


 * Write your version of the nunnery scene.**
 * Hamlet knows from the beginning of the scene that P and C are watching him
 * H does not know until later in the scene that he is being watched. You decide when, based on the script.
 * H never knows he is being watched.

“Where’s your father?” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 131), asks Hamlet when he encounters Ophelia at the castle as Polonius and Claudius spies on Hamlet to figure out the truth behind his madness. In the actual play, Hamlet never notices the two men spying on him, which allows Hamlet to make fun of Polonius in front of him, who’s actually listening to everything this young man has to say. Hamlet talks about Polonius: “Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the fool no where but in ’s own house. Farewell” (Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 133-134). In my version of this specific scene, with a Hamlet who never notices that he is being watched, I would exaggerate Hamlet’s gossip of Polonius and on top of this, add a funny reaction of Polonius; such as purposefully coughing, and then being scorned by King Claudius.

Hamlet’s mind seems to be inconsistent and literally uncontrollable. His thoughts and personality are very shaky, altering between normal and insane, repelled to play dirty jokes that are unlike himself, blaming his changed life on Claudius and his mother. If Hamlet finds out later in the scene that the two men are secretly hiding to spy on him, I think Hamlet’s personality would once again change to the lighter, more cunning and deceitful side of him and put on his own play that will make the two men come out without having to force them directly. After Hamlet says “I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me” (Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 124-126), which I think hints at the evilness within the charming Hamlet – obedient of his father’s dead soul -- he will faint which would frighten the two men, who will walk out thinking that Hamlet is unconscious. As the two men come out Hamlet will suddenly awake and ask what the two men have been doing. This would be an indirect representation of Hamlet’s superiority, above Claudius, knowing the dark secrets of Claudius.

Furthermore, if, in fact, Hamlet was aware of the scheme of the threesome, things would have turned out much more serious and less funny. In order to completely fool those who he despises, he would act extremely innocent. He would do this for one main reason: to gain the trust from his uncle Claudius so his revenge could be as harsh and surprising as his father’s. His “To be, or not to be? That is the question…” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 57) soliloquy would be very different, less hostile to his mother and uncle: “Th' oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, / The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay, / The insolence of office, and the spurns” (Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 72-76), but more sorrowful about his distant relationship with his uncle, which would make Claudius more sympathetic towards Hamlet and wouldn’t be able to imagine the revenge Hamlet is planning. In order to highlight his innocence, he would also act as if he’s rejoiced and awed by the appearance and encountering of his love Ophelia. The innocence that is shown to the enemies will only help Hamlet put on his evil revenge.