Act 5 Scene 2 Hamlet Analysis

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William Shakespeare was a legend of playwrights in the 16th century. Centuries have passed since he died, but his work is immortal. Many directors have adapted into plays written by him to make movies after years. The directors adapt and interpret the plays in various ways to influence a specific target audience. Shakespeare’s Hamlet character is very complex because of the two sides of him- real him who wants to avenge his father’s death and the fake side of him where he shows everyone he is completely mad. Each director tries to develop the Hamlet that can influence their audience. Act 5 Scene 2 in Hamlet is a unique scene because of the very famous sword fight between Hamlet and Laertes and various characters’ developments as well as the tragic outcome that makes Hamlet a tragedy. Kenneth Branagh’s version directed in 1996 and Gregory Doran’s version directed in 2009 has adapted and interpreted the original text so to affect their target audience using various filmmaking techniques to show different
As Doran didn’t include the political aspect, he focused more on the relationship of Hamlet with Horatio to finish the movie. In Doran’s version, he uses medium shot when Hamlet says, “Horatio, I’m dead…” (Hamlet 5.2, 331) , and falls into Horatio’s arms. When Horatio tries to drink the poison from the cup, Hamlet says “Give me the cup. Let go, by Heaven I’ll ha’t.” (Hamlet 5.2, 336) and they both try to take the cup from the other. By using medium two shot, Doran shows Hamlet and Horatio as well as the soldiers standing near them. On the other hand, Branagh uses high angle camera at the end when Hamlet and Horatio are having the same conversation. By using high angle camera on Hamlet, he shows how the death of Hamlet lowers him in matter of politics which foreshadows Fortinbras taking over

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