Hamlet Discussion
10. Watch the STREAMED VIDEO of the rehearsal of the ‘Get thee to a nunnery’ scene. What are the main issues the actors and director discuss? Relate their ideas to the Branagh version of III,1, 56-155.
Director, matthew francis
Ophelia, robin Gordon
Hamlet, david mann
Matthew Francis interprets the scene as starting at a point where Hamlet is lost, he was a much simpler character in the beginning of the play. There is much regret and sadness on Hamlet’s part after losing the one he loved, Ophelia, and having gone through so many things in between. At this point, Hamlet is trying to get his mind in terms of what it is trying to do with the world. Is he going to take revenge? What is he living for? Francis believes when Hamlet reads the line “get thee to a nunnery” is the point in the play where there is a bridge between Hamlet feeling of self-loath and when he realizes that Ophelia cannot be trusted anymore. Before this line, however, Francis gives David Mann (playing the role of Hamlet) directions to stay closer to Ophelia and even touch her because even at this point there is a sense of closeness and longing that Hamlet feels for Ophelia.
When Ophelia is trying to give back the letters that Hamlet wrote him, Hamlet makes it obvious that the letters do not mean anything to him anymore. Robin Gordon, who plays the part of Ophelia, plays out the particular part as if she is fazed. Ophelia is confused and does not understand why Hamlet is saying he did not write the letters when in fact he did.
Francis goes on to instruct that Mann should give more physical contact during the part where he tells Ophelia to leave. I believe by doing so Hamlet portrays more effectively that he does not really want to let Ophelia go because he is physically holding on to her even though his words are saying otherwise.
Francis is aware of the audience’s feelings towards Ophelia. We are interested in her character and care about her. Her final speech, however, gives
Director, matthew francis
Ophelia, robin Gordon
Hamlet, david mann
Matthew Francis interprets the scene as starting at a point where Hamlet is lost, he was a much simpler character in the beginning of the play. There is much regret and sadness on Hamlet’s part after losing the one he loved, Ophelia, and having gone through so many things in between. At this point, Hamlet is trying to get his mind in terms of what it is trying to do with the world. Is he going to take revenge? What is he living for? Francis believes when Hamlet reads the line “get thee to a nunnery” is the point in the play where there is a bridge between Hamlet feeling of self-loath and when he realizes that Ophelia cannot be trusted anymore. Before this line, however, Francis gives David Mann (playing the role of Hamlet) directions to stay closer to Ophelia and even touch her because even at this point there is a sense of closeness and longing that Hamlet feels for Ophelia.
When Ophelia is trying to give back the letters that Hamlet wrote him, Hamlet makes it obvious that the letters do not mean anything to him anymore. Robin Gordon, who plays the part of Ophelia, plays out the particular part as if she is fazed. Ophelia is confused and does not understand why Hamlet is saying he did not write the letters when in fact he did.
Francis goes on to instruct that Mann should give more physical contact during the part where he tells Ophelia to leave. I believe by doing so Hamlet portrays more effectively that he does not really want to let Ophelia go because he is physically holding on to her even though his words are saying otherwise.
Francis is aware of the audience’s feelings towards Ophelia. We are interested in her character and care about her. Her final speech, however, gives