Comparing Shakespear's Hamlet With Mel Gibson

Hamlet, written by Shakespear, is an excellent play that many directors have creatively adapted into a film. Because the play is so long and the story line is dark and intriguing there are many takes on how to portray the characters and scenes. To be or not to be, a scene in Act III Scene 1, is a monolog of Hamlet contemplating profound questions of life. In the book, the emotions and apprehension he has during are not active through the black words on a white page. This allows directors to add their own flair to the story. In Hamlet with Mel Gibson starring as Hamlet and another film with Kenneth Branaugh as Hamlet, Hamlet is incredibly distraught as he wrestles with the question of life. Both films are creative and excellent adaptations to the play.
The scene opens as a close up on Hamlet's face, he eyes are wide as he stares into the distance. He appears to be in a dark cave like tomb. The darkness of the room appears to be a metaphor of Hamlets inner feelings. The lack of light coincides with the darkness of his speech. At some points there are shots where the tomb and bones can be scene but Hamlet is not, yet you can still hear his voice, which provides a sense of mysteriousness and curiosity. There are abrupt camera cuts as well as swift pans, which gives light to the rapid pace of Hamlet's thought process.

In addition to camera work and lighting, Mel Gibson as Hamlet emits a body language and vocal stress that brings a creative side to the scene. As he begins to give his speech of to be or not to be, the camera pans out giving a glimpse of Hamlets stature. His body language gives the appearance of stress and concern. Hamlet frantically paces around the room until he drops on the concrete cast of a body. His facial expressions and demeanor allows the audience to feel the concern he himself feels.