To Be or Not to Be Scene (Sarah McD)

Each interpretation of Hamlet’s Soliloquy in act 3 gives the viewer a unique insight into Hamlet’s mind. The four actors portraying Hamlet onscreen portrays varying expression, emotions, and overall psychological impression.

The Olivier version, used dramatic music which enhanced the powerful effect hamlets lines exude. The  orchestral music played a vital role during the lines: “To die, to sleep;/ To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub”.  In the opening scene, we see Hamlet sitting at the edge of a cliff. The camera slowly closes into his head. This symbolizes that Hamlets soliloquy will offer the viewer insight into his mind. Olivier uses stage direction, dramatic music, and an expressive voice to power the soliloquy. During the final lines, Olivier changes the tone of his voice to match the meaning of the words.


In Zeffirelli's version, when i think of Hamlet, i think of it taking place in a large stone building, such as the castle portrayed in Zeffirelli's version. During the soliloquy, the use of the castles mysterious chamber created a dark mood for Hamlet as he walked around the basement. When Hamlet first walks down the stairs and quietly says, “to be or not to be that is the question”, Zeffirelli depicts a shot of the coffin infused death chamber, setting a negative mood for the rest of Hamlets  speech. As Hamlet walks through the room he becomes more and more dramatic both vocally and visually.


 Branagh portrayed an eerie scene that was extremely believable. The reflection in the mirror shows Hamlet deep in thought. When he whispers to himself “that is the question”, his voice has such a great affect on the audience, captivating their attention from that very moment on. The camera angles that were chosen for this version were also very effective, as the over-the-shoulder shot is intimate and seems like the audience is standing right behind Hamlet. Incorporating this angle in the soliloquy was strategically used for the audience to get lost in the mirror image of Hamlet. Later on in the scene, as he is still questioning his life, hamlet slowly brings a dagger up from his pocket and hits the mirror. This moment is where he reached his climax of insanity, anger and regret, and would make an irrational decision at this time.


The Almereyda version is a very modern  and unique depiction of Hamlets soliloquy. It opens with Hamlet aimlessly walking the aisles of a blockbuster. Hamlets wearing a suit and a winter hat, looking sad and emotionless. He walks the aisles, but isn't looking for anything, it's almost as if his mind isn't with him. He looks numb and void of life. Hamlets not speaking, but the audience hears his thoughts which let's us into him void mind. His emotions make it seem like his contemplation will lead to him killing himself. The TV's in the background show explosions and dying which basically is an illustration of what's going on in his head right now.