Notes on Hamlet Video – Mel Gibson version
1. Hamlet’s first meeting with his mother – how does she act? – Seeming and playing emphasis.
2. Hamlet’s first soliloquy -- how is his mood? – Despondent? Disgusted? Upset? “Too sullied flesh would
melt.”
3. Polonius’ advice to Laertes – “to thy own self be true,…thou canst not then be false to any man.” Does
Laertes follow Polonius’ advice? No! He is a man manipulated by Claudius. He is dishonest to his own
sense of honor – poisons Hamlet – seeming.
4. Notice Hamlet spying on Laertes and Polonius and Hamlet on Polonius and Ophelia. How does this
change the direction of the play?
5. Hamlet – “Foul deeds rise” – notice references to disease and rottenness. How does Hamlet react to
drinking in Denmark? Does this reaction fit?
6. Ghost scene – “Taint not thy mind against thy mother,” says the ghost. Does Hamlet? What’s Hamlet’s
reaction after the ghost leaves. Hamlet says he will put an “antic” disposition on – Do we sense that
Hamlet’s behavior will be an “act” from now on? Time out of joint.
7. What do you think of the scene between Hamlet and Ophelia? (garters down) Is this an act for
Hamlet? Is he sorry he has to act mad and is he sorry how it will affect Ophelia? Is this an overflow of
feeling against women and his disgust at Ophelia for not meeting with him any more?
8. Is Hamlet baiting Polonius in the library? “breed maggots” = rottenness theme and “Let her not walk i’
the sun” (son).
9. Hamlet and Ophelia meet – is he upset because Ophelia lied to him (Polonius at home)? Is he “made
mad” by her two-faced behavior - like Gertrude? Or is it just an innocent lie?
10. Hamlet spies on Polonius and Claudius. Claudius says of Hamlet that “Madness in great ones must
not unwatched go” – this also applies to Claudius.
11. Second soliloquy (actually third in play) – in the castle crypt – “To be or not to be.” Notice themes –
uncertainty after death and cowardice - Conscience does make cowards of us all.” Does switching the
placement of the soliloquies work?
12. How does Hamlet react to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Is he that friendly with them? Notice:
“good or bad that makes it so” – bad dreams -- meaninglessness of life -- “What a piece of work man is”
-- Does he tell them he’s not mad? -- “hawk from a handsaw.”
13. Third soliloquy (actually second in play) – What is Hamlet’s attitude? Disgust? Rage? – At himself for
using words not actions – calls himself to action “The play’s the thing/ Wherein I’ll catch the conscience
of the king.”
14. Is Polonius portrayed as a fool or a crafty politician or both?
15. Why put the “get thee to a nunnery” scene during the play within a play? Why tell Ophelia “believe
none of us?
16. During the play within a play, how do the King and Queen react? Is it “poison in jest”?
17. Claudius demands light – does he live in darkness?
18. Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – “Play on a pipe scene – Why put this scene after the play?
(in the text it comes before the play) Is Hamlet here a man of action? How does he treat Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern? His wit’s “diseased.”
19. Hamlet – “Tis now the very witching time of night” – He’s primed for action and revenge – Notice
quick walk and quick movements.
20. Claudius at prayers – shows he’s human, pitiable and his similarity to Hamlet – “To be or not to be.”
21. Closet scene – Gertrude: did she know of murders? When Hamlet accosts Gertrude, they’re on the
bed – any symbolism? Oedipal complex?” Hamlet says Gertrude is acting virtuously. Why kiss – to stop
his words? Freudian? Does Hamlet tell her he’s not mad? -- “I essentially am not in madness,/ but mad
in craft.” Does she believe him?
22. Again, notice Hamlet’s attitude and actions – quick mocking, devil-may-care.
23. Why does Hamlet tell Gertrude his suspicions of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern here and not in the
closet scene?
24. Where’s the fourth soliloquy? Some of the speech is in the previous one. Why combine them? “How
all occasions do inform against me/ And spur may dull revenge! What is man,…A beast, no more…My
thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!”
25. Ophelia mad – very sexual actions – Notice song (son-sun-reference) to Hamlet? Does Ophelia’s
character work? She’s strong and upset before her father’s death. Hamlet’s “madness” seems to make
her upset not mad. Is this then a departure from her character?
26. Hamlet blesses a sleeping Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – ironic.
27. Ophelia gives Laertes rosemary (remembrance) and pansies (love and thoughts). Gertrude gets
fennel (flattery) and columbine (unchastity and ingratitude). Claudius gets rue (sorrow or pity or
repentance) – his is a different weight than hers – she has a different cause of sorrow. Ophelia gets rue
and violets (faithfulness) – hers withered when her father died. She knows the truth now?
28. Gravediggers – Does the Clown give Hamlet much homespun and “down to earth” wisdom? Many of
the Clown’s comedic lines are cut.
29. Much of the dialogue in the funeral scene is cut – is the scene just as effective as the text?
30. Claudius says he loves Gertrude – Is this a motive for the death of a king? Or is it just ambition? Why
won’t Claudius move against Hamlet? Notice how smoothly Claudius manipulates Laertes, a son who’s
willing to spill blood in a church to enact his revenge.
31. Osric – is he humorous – a fool? Notice Hamlet. He’s resolved and steely-eyed. Also notice the music.
32. Sparrow scene – any symbolism? Does music help set the mood? “The readiness is all” (page 1491 of
text).
33. Fight/Wager – Hamlet is playful, joking – Is he reconciled to his fate? After closet scene has he
reconciled with his mother? If Claudius loves Gertrude, why not stop her from drinking the poison? Does
he love ambition more? Notice when Gertrude realizes the poison is in the cup. Did she suspect Claudius
before this? Hamlet not only stabs Claudius but forces him to drink the poison. Does it matter that
Hamlet doesn’t dash the poisoned cup from Horatio’s mouth? (Horatio’s name and behavior have
Roman connections and connotations – name, balanced gentleman, sword for suicide choice). Does it
matter that Fortinbras is not in the play, especially at the end? Remember, he frames the play and
contrasts with Hamlet as an action prince who seeks revenge. Fortinbras also restores “wellness” to the
play. Notice Hamlet is the center of the picture frame at the death scene = the center of the action and
of the play.