Il Min Ahn
4/9/2010
AP Lit
Ms. Porter
The nunnery scene in Hamlet can be interpreted from three different viewpoints: Hamlet being oblivious of Claudius and Polonius watching, Hamlet being completely aware of their presence, and him oblivious at first, but becoming aware in the process of the scene. Shakespeare apparently wrote the scene ambiguously on purpose so each interpreter can takes different roads. Putting myself in the shoes of a director, however, the last scenario both makes most sense and the play most interesting. Both in terms of literature and plot, the scenario with Hamlet’s change in awareness is the optimal choice.
So basically, the most optimal scene goes like this: Ophelia comes to talk with Hamlet while Polonius and Claudius are observing the whole encounter(of course secretly) behind the curtains. Then, Hamlet accidentally sees Claudius and Polonius without the two noticing Hamlet’s realization. From then, Hamlet changes his attitude to not have his plan of feigned insanity figured out by Polonius. There are a variety of reasons why this is the case.
First of all, it makes most sense plot wise that Hamlet finds out about Claudius and Polonius’s presence during his conversation with Ophelia. On careful examination of the scene, one can deduce that Hamlet has a change in tone in the middle of his speech. At first, Hamlet is polite and somewhat loving to Ophelia. At a certain point, however, Hamlet has a sudden change in tone and becomes condescending and hateful towards Ophelia. If Hamlet was oblivious or aware from the beginning to end, why would he have such change in atmosphere? It is only because Hamlet was unaware in the beginning and becomes aware throughout the scene that he changes his tone from friendly to hostile. From this observation, it is most logical that the scene is interpreted as the last scenario.
Secondly, it is of the most literary merit and of most benefit to the plot if it is the last scenario. At the turning point in his speech, Hamlet suddenly says “where is your father?” After this Hamlet suddenly denounces their relationship and spouts offensive nonsense to Ophelia. Hamlet so far has been the most intellectual of characters and if the director does not respect this difference, he is not respecting the character Hamlet and his intelligence that Shakespeare created. If it is any of the other two cases, there is no reason why Hamlet would have shown such sudden and drastic change in mood, and the last scenario is the only one that fully gives respect to the character Hamlet is. Also, through this scenario, the plot becomes more intricate with both sides thinking that they know more than the other, making the play more and more interesting.
Also, there is another reason Hamlet has to be aware. The reaction of Hamlet throughout the scene reflects his feelings about Ophelia. If such was the case that Hamlet was unaware of Claudius and Polonius’s presence throughout the whole scene, that it would spell that Hamlet is willing to sacrifice their relationship without remorse. However, the last scenario says that he initially trusted in Ophelia and was treating her with respect and candor, but found out her betrayal in the middle and lost trust in her.
For all these reasons, one can deduce that the best choice for the scene is to have Hamlet unaware at first, and aware later in the scene.
4/9/2010
AP Lit
Ms. Porter
The nunnery scene in Hamlet can be interpreted from three different viewpoints: Hamlet being oblivious of Claudius and Polonius watching, Hamlet being completely aware of their presence, and him oblivious at first, but becoming aware in the process of the scene. Shakespeare apparently wrote the scene ambiguously on purpose so each interpreter can takes different roads. Putting myself in the shoes of a director, however, the last scenario both makes most sense and the play most interesting. Both in terms of literature and plot, the scenario with Hamlet’s change in awareness is the optimal choice.
So basically, the most optimal scene goes like this: Ophelia comes to talk with Hamlet while Polonius and Claudius are observing the whole encounter(of course secretly) behind the curtains. Then, Hamlet accidentally sees Claudius and Polonius without the two noticing Hamlet’s realization. From then, Hamlet changes his attitude to not have his plan of feigned insanity figured out by Polonius. There are a variety of reasons why this is the case.
First of all, it makes most sense plot wise that Hamlet finds out about Claudius and Polonius’s presence during his conversation with Ophelia. On careful examination of the scene, one can deduce that Hamlet has a change in tone in the middle of his speech. At first, Hamlet is polite and somewhat loving to Ophelia. At a certain point, however, Hamlet has a sudden change in tone and becomes condescending and hateful towards Ophelia. If Hamlet was oblivious or aware from the beginning to end, why would he have such change in atmosphere? It is only because Hamlet was unaware in the beginning and becomes aware throughout the scene that he changes his tone from friendly to hostile. From this observation, it is most logical that the scene is interpreted as the last scenario.
Secondly, it is of the most literary merit and of most benefit to the plot if it is the last scenario. At the turning point in his speech, Hamlet suddenly says “where is your father?” After this Hamlet suddenly denounces their relationship and spouts offensive nonsense to Ophelia. Hamlet so far has been the most intellectual of characters and if the director does not respect this difference, he is not respecting the character Hamlet and his intelligence that Shakespeare created. If it is any of the other two cases, there is no reason why Hamlet would have shown such sudden and drastic change in mood, and the last scenario is the only one that fully gives respect to the character Hamlet is. Also, through this scenario, the plot becomes more intricate with both sides thinking that they know more than the other, making the play more and more interesting.
Also, there is another reason Hamlet has to be aware. The reaction of Hamlet throughout the scene reflects his feelings about Ophelia. If such was the case that Hamlet was unaware of Claudius and Polonius’s presence throughout the whole scene, that it would spell that Hamlet is willing to sacrifice their relationship without remorse. However, the last scenario says that he initially trusted in Ophelia and was treating her with respect and candor, but found out her betrayal in the middle and lost trust in her.
For all these reasons, one can deduce that the best choice for the scene is to have Hamlet unaware at first, and aware later in the scene.