Kenneth Branagh Hamlet (condensed notes)
o Act 1 Scene 2
Claudius speaks to a full court, whereas the court is much
emptier in the David Tennant adaptation.
Hamlet appears physically separate from everyone else, as
he stands alone, dressed in black.
Claudius appears sympathetic towards Hamlet, but this is in
front of his entire court. He puts his arm around hamlet, and
hold his hand, tries to be fatherly, but it is unclear how much
of this is simply an act.
After the wedding, we see that petals land on all but Hamlet-
links to how only Hamlet is opposed to and affected by their
marriage. We could also argue that this links to Boswell’s
view that Hamlet is lacking ‘strength of mind’, as he appears
depressed even from the beginning. As a push, it could also
link to G Wilson Knight’s view that Hamlet is ‘a diseased
consciousness who infects the kingdom with cynicism’, as it
links to the two semantic fields of the play- nature vs
disease- only Hamlet affected by the rot in Denmark.
Hamlet speaks quite softly, appearing very upset, but then
raises his voice with anger.
Hamlet pauses on “she married”, which links to how much
Gertrude’s marriage to Claudius has affected him.
o Act 1 Scene 5 (where ghost meets Hamlet)
Hamlet’s lines come as a voiceover.
Running through a forest, quite a chaotic scene, flashbacks
to King Hamlet in a tomb.
Silence before the ghost replies- Hamlet looks at him in fear.
Ground shakes, fog- very mysterious scene.
We see a flashback to King Hamlet’s murder- it is relatively
graphic.
Cuts to Claudius in the castle, playing games- fun, innocent
scene. We see a hint of Claudius and Gertrude’s relationship,
and a suggestion that it occurred before the death of King
Hamlet.
After the ghost disappears, Hamlet appears visibly upset, as
if he could cry.
When Horatio and Marcellus arrive, Hamlet appears frantic.
o Act 2 Scene 1
Included in the play, where many adaptations often cut the
scene.
o Act 1 Scene 2
Claudius speaks to a full court, whereas the court is much
emptier in the David Tennant adaptation.
Hamlet appears physically separate from everyone else, as
he stands alone, dressed in black.
Claudius appears sympathetic towards Hamlet, but this is in
front of his entire court. He puts his arm around hamlet, and
hold his hand, tries to be fatherly, but it is unclear how much
of this is simply an act.
After the wedding, we see that petals land on all but Hamlet-
links to how only Hamlet is opposed to and affected by their
marriage. We could also argue that this links to Boswell’s
view that Hamlet is lacking ‘strength of mind’, as he appears
depressed even from the beginning. As a push, it could also
link to G Wilson Knight’s view that Hamlet is ‘a diseased
consciousness who infects the kingdom with cynicism’, as it
links to the two semantic fields of the play- nature vs
disease- only Hamlet affected by the rot in Denmark.
Hamlet speaks quite softly, appearing very upset, but then
raises his voice with anger.
Hamlet pauses on “she married”, which links to how much
Gertrude’s marriage to Claudius has affected him.
o Act 1 Scene 5 (where ghost meets Hamlet)
Hamlet’s lines come as a voiceover.
Running through a forest, quite a chaotic scene, flashbacks
to King Hamlet in a tomb.
Silence before the ghost replies- Hamlet looks at him in fear.
Ground shakes, fog- very mysterious scene.
We see a flashback to King Hamlet’s murder- it is relatively
graphic.
Cuts to Claudius in the castle, playing games- fun, innocent
scene. We see a hint of Claudius and Gertrude’s relationship,
and a suggestion that it occurred before the death of King
Hamlet.
After the ghost disappears, Hamlet appears visibly upset, as
if he could cry.
When Horatio and Marcellus arrive, Hamlet appears frantic.
o Act 2 Scene 1
Included in the play, where many adaptations often cut the
scene.
