Blog Post #15: Hamlet Blog Post #3

Speech Analysis:
In Hamlet's To Be Or Not To Be Soliloquy

The imagery in this speech that refers to the uncertainty of death is when Hamlet describes sleeping. He compares the peacefulness of sleeping to the peacefulness of death until you start dreaming, or go to the afterlife. It's the ignorance of what our "dream" will be that makes everyone fear death. Hamlet uses imagery describing weapons, "slings and arrows," (3.1.79.) to illuminate the suffering in life, how everyone must constantly be fighting just to survive. Shakespeare, when writing Hamlet's To Be Or Not To Be Soliloquy, uses a pathos and logos appeal, especially when Hamlet says, "When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,/Must give us pause. There’s the respect/That makes calamity of so long. " (3.1.68-70.)
Paradox: "There’s the respect/That makes calamity of so long life." (3.1.69-67.) Life is long, but it goes by fast because we are pausing and over thinking instead of trusting our gut.
Tone: Using the phrase "mortal coil" (3.1.68.) sets a melancholy tone, because it refers to both our miserable lives as humans and our fear for what happens after when are no longer stuck in the turmoil of life. What if it gets worse?
Diction: Using the words "nobler" and "suffer" (3.1.58.) help focus on the dilemma that every human faces at some point; is it noble for us to stay alive and suffer through life? Why not just give up?
Afterlife and life on earth: "To sleep, perchance to dream-" (3.1.66.)
Hamlet ponders about whether it is better to commit suicide or suffer through life, and he comes to the conclusion if everybody just lived their life without fear, then nobody would have to ask that question.

Kenneth Branagh:
Diegetic/Non Diegetic- During the beginning of the speech, when he is simply weighing the options of death vs living, there is no music, reinforcing the solemn nature of the tone. Then the underscore starts lifting his words, rising and gaining speed like his words.
Setting- In a room full of mirrors, symbolizing how he reflects on himself.
Props- His knife represents the power he has, choosing whether someone lives or dies. He could kill someone or himself before anyone could stop him.
Costume- He is dressed in black like always.
Make up- He look slightly paler than normal.
Camera Angles- Over the shoulder shot of him, full body in the mirror, then he begins to move closer and closer, just like he moves closer to suicide.

Laurence Olivier:

Diegetic/Non Diegetic- You can hear the waves of the ocean as he is deciding if he should or shouldn't kill himself, he delivers the soliloquy in his mind. During the beginning of his speech, he pulls out a knife, almost killing himself, and when he says "perchance to dream," there is an extreme close up of his forehead with sweat on it, expressing his stress and willingness to end his life. When he does say, "perchance to dream," he gets up, because he does not know what comes after and that is what scares him and everybody else. 

Setting- On a cliff, most likely where he spoke to the Ghost. 

Props- Knife, and a rock he sits on.

Costume- Black clothes, assuming since it's in black and white.

Make up- Not sure.

Camera Angles- covered in diegetic and non diegetic.

Mel Gibson:

Diegetic/Non Diegetic- Very emotional in his words, acting out sleeping when talking about it which expresses the wanting to commit suicide. How ever, when he says "perchance to dream" he expresses his realization of why nobody really kills their self, even though they want to. When he lists off all of the reasons why anyone would want to kill their self, he gets angrier and angrier in his tone, a shift like his shift from sad to angry in the actual play.

Setting- In a tomb chamber

Props- Tombs

Costume- All black robe type of outfit

Make up- Bare make up, natural

Camera Angles- Close up, full body (Lighting is mostly dark expect on what I'm assuming is his father's tomb, and then on his face toward the end, which is sort of foreshadowing.)

Ethan Hawke:
Diegetic/Non Diegetic- In head head during the beginning, not much of a self reflection but more of a universal "Should we commit suicide or not?" After perchance to dream, he speaks aloud, still not very emotional.

Setting- At blockbuster, walking up and down the aisles. 

Props- Hat, movies, TVs with people dying on them

Costume- All black except a hat is on his head

Make up-No visible make up

Camera Angles- On him walking up and down the aisles, then one shot before he speaks aloud to the T, a shot to the devil on the TV screen at the end