Close Reading w/ answers on Paper:
Embedded video of scene with best use of mis en scene components:
Embedded video of scene with best use of mis en scene components:
While I do believe that this version of the soliloquy was a lot more literal and could have taken a subtler approach to addressing the issues of life and death, I also believe that it did a very good job expressing what it believed. The video used camera angles as it approached Hamlet's head when he was thinking and drew the audience closer into his mind. They it overlay his mind with the image of a turbulent sea showing his mind contemplating so much and going back and forth between the dilemma of whether "to be, or not to be". The sounds involved int he video mainly utilized music and the natural sounds of the sea. The build up of music, especially in the beginning, created the effect that something important was coming and the thoughts were not very quiet or steady but rather loud, rambunctious, and inconsistent. Both the music and the sounds of the waves expressed the state of Hamlet's mind as he contemplates the issue. The actions were also very important in this video. Olivier decides to speak in some places and then to only think in others. This shows a contrast between the two sections and allows for that tone shift to take place. He also pulls out his dagger at "by opposing end them" which is slightly ironic because he is to tackle the sea of troubles with simply a dagger. However, he ends up dropping the dagger into the sea. This shows how Hamlet has resolved the issue of whether "to be, or not to be". It shows that ultimately, the conscious mind will lead to inaction which is what is the result of his dagger not being able to act against the sea. Lastly, the end uses mis en scene components by taking a medium-shot of Hamlet as he walks away while looking around at his surroundings. By walking away from where he was, he is once again highlighting the aspect of inaction, but by finally taking a medium shot that is not seen anywhere else in this version of the soliloquy, this video argues that the environment will effect his decision and that ultimately he does not have that full control over his actions because he does have a conscious.
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I think Kenneth Branagh's version of Hamlet utilized the mis en scene components the second best of the three videos watched. I liked the fact that this video was much more subtle with the mis en scene components. With the camera angles, it used the idea of zeroing in on the reflection of Hamlet in the mirror. The camera angle in the beginning allowed the audience to see both sides of the debate as Hamlet goes back and forth while contemplating the issue. However, it ends up zeroing in on the mirror, on one side, as he comes to a resolution near the end. The actions are also very subtle but with the use of the walking, symbolizing him walking to his answer, and the use of the dagger, to help him act out the parts where he might want to take his own life in contrast to where he would not take any action at all, all helped create the mis en scene components. I personally did not think that the Ethan Hawke version did the best job of using mis en scene components. there are definitely aspects that did fit the tone of the piece. Some examples of this would be using the action aisle, using a violent clip of an action movie, and having Hamlet talk in some places and not talk in others. However, I felt there was little contrast between the different tone shifts, especially because there was little to no change in his expression and while the camera angles did change, it did not seem to explore his thoughts beyond the angles watching Hamlet explore the extent of the video store.
