Blog Seven: Hamlet's Soliloquy in five ways

For this assignment, I watched a particular soliloquy from Hamlet performed by five different actors.

Moods: -Disgust -Anger-Frustration-Heartbreak-Disappointment-Depression-Grief-Weariness-Resignation-Obsession-Sarcasm-Other moods that you see that I haven't thought of

The first was Kenneth Branagh. I'd describe his Hamlet's mood as disgusted, frustrated, angry. He also seems to have moments of utter despair.

The second was Kevin Kline (one of my favorite actors -- the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance!). Again, disgusted, anger, and he also seems to convey an amazement and almost disbelief at what his mother has done. He also goes into despair when he says "I must hold my tongue."

The third was Nicol Williamson as Hamlet. I see he is aghast at what he's just seen, and what he's experiencing. He seems just completely stunned by it, and disgusted. Sarcasm: "Frailty, thy name is woman." I see him quietly flailing in impotent rage at his mother, his uncle, and the situation. "I must hold my tongue."

Mel Gibson's version was fourth on the list, and my immediate reaction is utter and absolute despair. I do like this version -- it seems more realistic, and I also liked how it was costumed in the period of the original story.

The fifth version was interesting: It was in Japanese, a language that I don't understand at all. The scene is performed inside a chain-link fence, which is a curious choice for castle walls. The actor's performance seemed frantic, almost insane with his emotions. Frustration barely begins to describe it.