Hamlet 3.1
“The Nunnery Scene”
Comparative Film Analysis
Today, we’ll check out some (or all) of the following clippage:
1970s version with Helen Mirren as Ophelia, creepy twins representing Hamlet’s multiple personalities
David Tennant version – Polonius and Claudius spy on a video monitor (ch. 8 on DVD)
Ethan Hawke as Hamlet, Julia Stiles as Ophelia – wire-tapping (ch. 12 on DVD)
Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet, Kate Winslet as Ophelia – two-way mirrors (ch. 17 on DVD)
Our objective:
Analyze various interpretations of Hamlet 3.1, focusing on the text and on directorial decisions.
Your job:
Analyze! Make some inferences!
Use the back of this sheet to gather your thoughts for discussion as your watch.
Then, submit this sheet for a classwork grade.
Some things to consider:
What is Hamlet and Ophelia’s relationship like?
How did their romance start?
How long has it gone on?
What does Ophelia like about Hamlet?
What does Hamlet like about Ophelia?
How do they see each other?
What do they do together?
How much sexual attraction is there between them? What do they fight about?
How does Ophelia see their future?
How does Hamlet see their future?
What aspects of acting, directing, and film technique leads you to your opinion?
How do they compare to our interpretation in class?
When does Hamlet notice he’s being watched?
Is he crazy?
Wrap-up Journal:
Which version of the scene did you prefer, and why?
Below, use particular references to the text and the video to support your observations and inferences.
Version: ________________________________________________
Your thoughts on this interpretation:
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Your thoughts on this interpretation:
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Your thoughts on this interpretation:
Version: ________________________________________________
Your thoughts on this interpretation: