Ophelia

In Millais's painting of Ophelia I feel as if she has given up. It doesn't look as though she purposely drowned herself, but it doesn't look as if she tried very hard to keep herself from drowning. I don't think Shakespear had a specific way he wanted her to be portrade. Just like the play can be interpreted in different ways so can Ophelia. I dont think she killed herself purposely I just think she didn't try to save herself. It was never quite clear if Gertrude tried to save her, but think she didn't. Gertrude knew she was crazy and when she saw Ophelia fall in the water she was probably happy there was one less crazy person around. I don't think that Ophelia went mad beause her father died, I think she went mad because the man she loved was the one who killed him. I do feel some sympathy for her because she lost two men that she loved, Hamlet and her father.

To be or not to be...

In Olivier's Hamlet the director chose to have the setting as a cliff. I felt that was a good decision because it makes it seem as if Hamlet is considering whether or not to jump. I personaly feel that this was not the best video to portray the "to be or not to be" speech. Zeffirelli's Hamlet was directed in a good way. The setting is in a catacomb under the castle, it bings more wonder to what Hamlet will choose. Also I thought it was a good idea to have Hamlet saying his speech right near his father. The lighting was also good because it's dark at some points and light on the others. Branaugh's Hamlet is different because it doesn't realy have despair, it's intense as if he is realy considering killing himself. Also when he puts the dagger against his head it's as if he is realy going to do it. Almereyda's Hamlet is modern, I didn;t realy like the setting because it is in a Blockbuster but the message came across fine. For example, when he walkes by the gift card sign, it's as if he's deciding whether life is realy a gift and when he walks around the endless number of movies as if saying life is endless and its just too much to bare. Many directors and people interpret the play differently. I feel as though that was Shakespear's point is making the play. I liked Branaugh's Hamlet the most because it's different. All the other directors went with the sad and depressing while Branaugh went with the anger and intensity.

Killing Claudius

I agree with Hamlet's hesitation to kill Claudius. Not for the same reason as him, but because it is not good timing. Claudius was praying and killing him thenwould not be good. Also it would be better when CLaudius can see Hamlet try to kill him, to understand how hurt Hamlet is. The play has not showed for sure whether or not Claudius os realy guilty, but all the signals point to yes. But if he is not guilty and Hamlet killed him it would have been on Hamlet's conscience forever. Not only will it be on his conscience but people will also react against him for how he portrays himself being mad. I think it was a good decision to think about it.

D.E.J.

"John - I think I must go with them." (Elizabeth) pg.1285

I think that Elizabeth is going because she is planning to confess. Even though she did'nt do anything, its is better to confess because they take it as a confession that will be judged by God himself.