Hamlet Projects

What follows is 5 different versions of Hamlet's 4th soliloquy.

1. Kenneth Branagh's 1996 film version
2. Sir Laurence Olivier's 1948 film version
3. Mel Gibson's 1990 film version
4. Richard Burton's 1964 stage version
5. David Tennant's 2009 film version

In a comment posted to Google Classroom, explain which version you feel is the best cinematic representation of the "To be or not to be" soliloquy. Explain which version you feel is the poorest depiction of the speech. Be specific. 

Post your responses to Google Classroom by Monday, February 8th. 

Starting next week, you will all be responsible for creating a short film in which you create an original depiction of "To be or not to be." Here are the basic guidelines:

• You may work alone or in a group of 2-3 students. 
• You may recruit outside help.
• For example, Paula recruited Sophia last year to portray Hamlet. She is a great thespian.
• You must depict the entirety of the speech.
• You may not omit lines, change the order of the speech, or alter the language in any way.
• You do not have to memorize the speech.

Mr. Lockwood is looking for editing fluency and creativity. He is also looking for process. Plan your film ahead with storyboards and distinct visual planning.  And too setting of the piece, where does it take place?  How are you going to use the camera (angles, shots, lighting) to show his thought process (words and actions)?

Mr. Clark, is looking for dramatic flair and creativity. You must bring the poetic language of Shakespeare to life. The speech must make sense dramatically, following an appropriate emotional cycle, vacillating between determination, fear, hesitation, and resignation.

Due Dates:

Tuesday, February 9th: annotated speech.

• Fully annotate the speech--denote the emotional aspects of the lines, mark pauses, etc.
• This must guide and shape the performance and depiction of the speech.

Thursday, February 11th: storyboards

• Mr. Lockwood must receive a storyboard (visual OR written outline) for your short film. Your ideas, themes, and visual motifs must be explained.

Tuesday, February 16th

Completed films must be uploaded to YouTube by the end of the day on Tuesday, February 16th. You must upload your link to Google Classroom. 

Some ideas to consider:

• Period-correct Shakespeare is boring. Update and modernize the play.
• That being said, Hamlet's attire and appearance must be appropriate. Whether depicted as a 16th century prince or a 20th century college student, Hamlet always wears black.
• Hamlet suffers from a fractured mind. Some productions employ multiple actors on stage simultaneously to depict this. It also lessens the load of memorization.
• Use props and setting in an appropriate manner.  There should be some object/prop that Hamlet uses while he contemplates his situation.