February 28, 2012

Act 4, Scenes 1- 4

1. Watch Act 4, Scene 1 (2:24:20 - 2:27:10)a. Examine Claudius’ reaction to Gertrude’s news of Polonius’ death. Note the importance of appearances.

b. Characterize the relationship of Gertrude and Claudius in this scene specifically and in the play as a whole to this point.

c. Has Gertrude kept her promise to Hamlet thus far?

d. Add to character charts for Gertrude and Claudius

February 28, 2012

2. Watch Act 4, Scene 2 (2:27:10 - 2:28:45)a. What is significant about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern finding Hamlet?b. Examine the way Hamlet speaks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. What is his mood? What type of language does he use? What purpose does this conversation serve?c. Branagh has chosen to show guards search for Hamlet in Ophelia’s bedchamber and then to have her participate in the chase. What purpose does this serve?d. This scene ends with a rifle pointing at Hamlet. This is not in the text. Why do you think it is here?e. Add to character charts for Hamlet & Rosencrantz and Guildenstern f. Add to themes of corruption and madness

February 28, 2012

3. Read Claudius’ three speeches. a. What important information do we learn here about how Claudius intends to deal with Hamlet’s murderous act?b. What is revealed about Claudius’ character here? Add to character chart.

4. Watch Act 4, Scene 3 (2:28:45 - 2:32:33)a. Examine how Claudius and Hamlet interact. What is Hamlet doing here and how does Claudius react?b. Again, Branagh has added a scene with Ophelia that is not in the written text. What happens in this scene and why might it be added? We will revisit this at the end of Act 4.

February 28, 2012

5. Watch Act 4, Scene 4 up until Hamlet’s seventh and final soliloquy. (2:32:33 - 2:34:58)

a. What do we learn about the war between Norway and Poland?b. How does Hamlet react to this information?

6. Watch Hamlet’s soliloquy(2:34:58 - 2:37:45/end of disc 1)a. What do you think about the setting and cinematography here? (music, camera, cut)

7. Compare and Contrast Hamlet and Fortinbras (character foils) - use a Venn Diagram.

February 28, 2012

Act 4, Scenes 5-71. Analysis of the state of Denmark at this point:

a. Political stateb. Emotional and mental state of Gertrude, Claudius, Hamlet, Ophelia

2. Warning: this scene may be disturbing to some viewers.

3. Watch until Horatio follows Ophelia out (0:00 - 5:56)a. Examine Branagh’s choice to start with part of Claudius’ speech from later in the scene and flashbacks to events past. Purpose and effect?b. Examine carefully the portrayal of Ophelia here.

i. Why has Branagh chosen to have a nurse on hand?ii. Why is Ophelia wearing a straightjacket? What effect does this have?iii. In the text it says she sings, here it is more of a chant. Any reason

why this may be?iv. What can we divine from this scene about the reasons behind her

madness?v. Like Hamlet, there is “some method” in Ophelia’s madness as well. What truths do we learn here?vi. Add to your character notes on Ophelia as well as the theme of

melancholy and madness.

February 28, 2012

4. Watch the arrival of Laertes and his interaction with Claudius (5:56-9:10)a. What are Laertes intentions when he arrives? How does Claudius respond? What effect does this have on Laertes?

5. Watch the rest of the scene (9:10-15:07)a. How has Branagh created sympathy for Laertes and Ophelia here?b. Add to themes of corruption, revenge, melancholy/madnessc. Add to character charts for Laertes, Ophelia, and Claudius

6. Watch Scene 6 (15:07 - 16:58)a. What is significant about the news from Hamlet? What does it foreshadow?

February 28, 2012

7. Watch up until the arrival of the queen. (16:58-25:55)a. Claudius’ skilful manipulation of Laertes dominates this scene.

i. What methods does Claudius use to corrupt Laertes?ii. What effects do Claudius’ words have on Laertes? iii. What is the plan that Claudius and Laertes devise?

b. Add to charts: i. Theme: corruption, revenge, random fortune or destinyii. Character charts: Laertes and Claudius

8. Watch to the end of the scene (25:55 - 29:40)a. Examine Gertrude’s demeanour as she relates the news to Laertes. Does this affect your opinion of her?b. What is Claudius’ concern at the end of the scene? How does Gertrude react? c. Why is the image of Ophelia so fleeting and only placed at the end of the scene?d. Why does the text and the film repeatedly say Ophelia “drowned”?

9. Compare Laertes and Hamlet using a Venn Diagram.