Performance for Hamlet

Question 1

Claudius

Answer 1

Gregory Doran 2009 - he willingly consumes the poisoned drink

Question 2

Gertrude

Answer 2

Stratford Festival 2016 - Gertrude appears drunk in the final scene, slurring her words, perhaps to express her internal turmoil as she discovers the truth of the ‘murder most foul’

Stratford Festival 2016 - she is dressed in red

Robert Icke 2018 - rose petals accentuate her lustfulness

Robert Icke - Backdrop of Gertrude and Claudius with sexual undertones which are matched with Hamlet’s commentary on ‘incestuous’ behaviour

Question 3

Hamlet

Answer 3

Gregory Doran 2009
Hamlet is portrayed as young and innocent, both emotionally and physically as he crouched on the ground

Hamlet is surprisingly willing to believe his father’s ghost, accentuating the more innocent portrayal of Hamlet

Modern clothing reflects the longevity of Hamlet’s conflicts and the modernity of topics discussed within the play and how he does not belong in the archaic, morally corrupt court

Zefferelli 1990
Running down the stairs after seeing his father’s ghost could reflect his descent into madness, much like Horatio’s fears that this ‘perturbed spirit’ will make him ‘mad’

When performing his antic-disposition, Hamlet says nothing to Ophelia, instead his madness comes through his erratic performance as he clings to her desperately appearing almost vulnerable

Hamlet throws a book on the ground during his contemplation of life, perhaps it is knowledge that causes his death, knowledge of his father’s death, knowledge of the moral corruption of Elsinore and ultimately, the knowledge that he can’t exist in a time ‘locked in the past’ - Sean McEvoy

Question 4

Ophelia

Answer 4

Zefferelli 1990 - her naivety and innocence are accentuated through her child-like behaviour as she hands out bones and straw instead of flowers - which act as a physical reminder of the promised oblivion of death

Her hair is down, presenting the archetypical female descent into madness, as her tone and dictation

Nica 2008
Ophelia’s dead body remains on stage as she joins the others in the tragic tableaux

Turner 2015
Hamlet is presented as superior to Ophelia since he is suited - almost like a soldier - and she is wearing ordinary clothing

Question 5

Polonius

Answer 5

Zefferelli 1990 - Polonius is performed less like the bumbling Senex and more like a cunning director which makes his death far more macabre

Question 6

Laertes

Question 7

Guildenstern and Rosencrantz

Answer 7

Zefferelli 1990
Violent towards Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – his disdain has extended beyond his words ‘Answer me this’

We see Guildenstern and Rosencrantz being murdered, yet the shot is brief, accentuating their insignificance to others in the play (Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern)

Question 8

Grave diggers

Question 9

Osric

Question 10

General comments on performance

Answer 10

Stratford Festival 2016 -

Question 11

Ghost of Old Hamlet

Answer 11

Oliviers 1948 - Old Hamlet’s murder is presented as a flashback, almost as if we are being provided with evidence of the ‘most foul murder’

Oliviers 1948 -