Branagh's Soliloquy Essay

Kenneth Branagh’s production of Hamlet and The Royal Shakespeare’s Company production of Hamlet are hard to compare with each other. In terms of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy in the portrait scene, his meeting with Ophelia, the queen’s ability to stand up for herself and Hamlet’s reaction and response to his father’s ghost, the Branagh Hamlet exceeds my expectations on how these parts are performed.

The branagh version of Hamlet’s soliloquy in the portrait scene really depicts what I imagined it would sound like. For his soliloquy, his quietness of voice seems proper for this moment with himself. His words, “To die; to sleep; To sleep; perchance to dream; ay, there’s the rub,” are all solemnly said, Branagh creates this serious mood
I feel sympathy for Hamlet as he has a right to be upset. His weeping, even Ophelia’s weeping made my sympathy for him grow. But Ophelia seems to actually be sad rather than acting on behalf of her father and the king which is something I like about this play. Hamlet’s physical nature towards her, a lot of it was unnecessary. This meeting was important as to see what impact Ophelia had on Hamlet, and what gave him the push to put on his mad act. Unlike the Branagh Hamlet, the David Tennant Hamlet was nothing like I thought he would be in his meeting with Ophelia. Although she is acting sad, her genuine concern is overlooked since she is acting only for the benefit of Polonius and Claudius. As well, when she says, “Heavenly powers restore him!” and, “O help him, you sweet heavens!” she overdoes these parts by the throwing of her hand up and lying on the floor. As well, Hamlet’s runs to her after she says these things are too much. If I were angry I would not run back to my lover and cry and physically touch her, I would keep away from her so she wouldn’t hurt me anymore. This scene with Ophelia disappointed my thought on how Hamlet would act. It was as disappointing as Christmas with no gifts, it was that