Hamlets Emotions, Actions, and Importance in the Nunnery Scene Essay

Hamlets Emotions, Actions, and Importance in the Nunnery Scene Like sweet bells jangled, out of measure and harsh Hamlets trust is betrayed by the people who are dearest to his heart (III.i.87). The theme of betrayal takes root before the Shakespeares tragedy begins, when Hamlets uncle murders his father and marries his mother. These enormous betrayals, on with other pointed deceptions, justify many of Hamlets words and actions. A striking example of the deceit Hamlet endures can be seen in act three, scene wizard of Hamlet the nunnery scene. When Hamlet steps through the entryway he walks into a web of secrets, deception, and dishonesty. Determined to discover the nature of Hamlets madness, the king and Polonius have summoned Hamlet to a place where they know he will run into Ophelia under their observation the scene is a set-up. Hamlet is spied on by his stepfather and lied to by his make out in this moment of cruel deceit. In Oliviers 1948 film version of Shakespeares Haml et, the nunnery scene allows Hamlet to articulate his frustration without confronting his enemies. Hamlet enters the scene fully aware of its maudlin nature, like an actor taking his place on the stage. The ensuing performance is that of a narcissistic child wining just to hear the sound of his own function Oliviers Hamlet has no real interaction with any of the other characters in the scene. Oliviers choice to focus on Hamlet and his feelings, rather than the action going on around him, is highlighted in the nunnery scene and evident in the entire play Branagh, on the other hand sees Hamlet as a exciting twaddle of courtly intrigue and deception. Branagh s Hamlets truly affected by the action unfolding Oliviers open and abstract nunnery... ...with the deceit of those around him. Branaghs attempt to widen the background knowledge of his Hamlet, beyond Oliviers interpretation of the play as a look into the main characters mind, allows him to generate a Nunnery scene far more eng aging than Oliviers. Though it offers elicit insight into Hamlets mind, Oliviers Nunnery Scene offers the audience no plot advancement and little action. By sharp contrast, Branaghs rendering unfolds to reveal exciting twists in the story and focus conflict among the characters as they actively betray Hamlets trust. Works Cited Carr, Jay. Full-length Hamlet still swift. The Boston Globe January 1997 C5 Hamlet. Videocassette. Dir. Laurence Olivier.1948. Hamlet. Videocassette. Dir. Kenneth Branagh. 1996. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Cyrus Hoy. Norton Critical Series. 2nd Edition. New York Norton, 1992.