Best Mousetrap Scene: Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet
Best Mousetrap Scene The production of the Mousetrap variant I liked best was Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation. I enjoyed Branagh’s portrayal of Hamlet best because his imitation of Hamlet during the play seemed as if his actions were not planned. For instance, when Hamlet boorishly spoke to Ophelia his tone made the scene feel realistic. I also enjoyed how he adjourned the play several times to emphasize what is going to happen next. Hamlet would yell across the stage to make sure that everyone especially Claudius were conscious of what is occurring. Meanwhile, he also profoundly stared into Claudius’s eyes so that Horatio and he could witness Claudius’s culpable reaction.
The acting company in this production gave Ophelia a more serious
and annoyed personality towards Hamlet. She did not seem as if she had a long relationship with Hamlet. When Hamlet disdainfully insults Ophelia, she receives his comments with an attitude that seems as if she is unaffiliated with him. Also, Hamlet is more blunt towards Ophelia which makes his character fit with the scene because he is suppose to dramatically “act” mad. Claudius's reactions towards Hamlet’s utterances in this interpretation make him seem more suspicious, obvious, and guilty. As for Gertrude, she is conveyed with astounded reactions toward her son’s skirmish actions. In sum, the body language and verbal language in this rendering of the play convey that Hamlet’s purpose, personality, and actions were accurate.
Furthermore, the staging of the play made the scene pragmatic. All the major characters were in a theatre room with an audience spectating the players. King Claudius and Queen Gertrude were seated behind Hamlet and the guests to show their royalty. Horatio was hidden behind curtains beside the stage to spy and take note of Claudius's facial reactions. Claudius sat next to Gertrude while holding her hand to show that they are united but as the dumb show progressed he let go and became suspicious. Hamlet sat next to Ophelia right under the King and Queen. This was effective because it demonstrated a relationship between them. Also, this seating made Hamlet able to continuously glance at Claudius to capture his reaction.
Overall, this version was precise in conveying the message of Hamlet proving Claudius guilty because the personalities of the actors best fitted each character, their tones were accurate in achieving the right emotions, the movements each character produced made the scene intense, and their staging was an enhancement to the tension created among the actors.
The acting company in this production gave Ophelia a more serious
and annoyed personality towards Hamlet. She did not seem as if she had a long relationship with Hamlet. When Hamlet disdainfully insults Ophelia, she receives his comments with an attitude that seems as if she is unaffiliated with him. Also, Hamlet is more blunt towards Ophelia which makes his character fit with the scene because he is suppose to dramatically “act” mad. Claudius's reactions towards Hamlet’s utterances in this interpretation make him seem more suspicious, obvious, and guilty. As for Gertrude, she is conveyed with astounded reactions toward her son’s skirmish actions. In sum, the body language and verbal language in this rendering of the play convey that Hamlet’s purpose, personality, and actions were accurate.
Furthermore, the staging of the play made the scene pragmatic. All the major characters were in a theatre room with an audience spectating the players. King Claudius and Queen Gertrude were seated behind Hamlet and the guests to show their royalty. Horatio was hidden behind curtains beside the stage to spy and take note of Claudius's facial reactions. Claudius sat next to Gertrude while holding her hand to show that they are united but as the dumb show progressed he let go and became suspicious. Hamlet sat next to Ophelia right under the King and Queen. This was effective because it demonstrated a relationship between them. Also, this seating made Hamlet able to continuously glance at Claudius to capture his reaction.
Overall, this version was precise in conveying the message of Hamlet proving Claudius guilty because the personalities of the actors best fitted each character, their tones were accurate in achieving the right emotions, the movements each character produced made the scene intense, and their staging was an enhancement to the tension created among the actors.