The Hamlet: Light, Camera, Action

The Hamlet: Light, Camera, Action
The Hamlet was one of Shakespeare’s most renowned works and more precisely the fourth only below Henry IV part one, Pericles and Richard III. This play was to write for the illustrious Richard Burbage who was a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s men who was known for his mastery of lines and his exemplary performance and specialty in tragic sets during his time. Hamlet was first produced during the early 17th century between the year 1600 and 1601 and was perform in the Globe theatre which had just been constructed in the previous year. The plot of the play related to various issues during the time like public corruption. The adaptations of this play have been seen over the years with translation and modifications that were oriented to interest the viewers at the time while at the same time trying to maintain the originality.
In this essay, a short synopsis will be important in understanding the review of the play. Many will claim that there is no joy or delight in the play. There is no doubt that a story whose main theme is revenge will have nothing for which to be joyful. However, the play is acted in a way that portrays character complexity and richness of thoughts such that the viewer pictures it with insight to the existence of humanity. When Hamlet’s father was murdered by his brother, the later takes his mother as well to be his wife. His father’s ghost are said to be the ones that reveal this to him and the way he behaves, and act tell it all.

He is not only angry but also devastated and this drives him towards insanity. Hamlet is well aware of the incestuous relationship between his uncle and his mother and that drives him nuts even more. Most of the characters in play assume that he is mad but as a reader, you have to question that further. Is he mad or he is just devastated.
Two paragraphs in a 5 pages long paper are good for an introduction. One is an introduction on Hamlet (the book and the video) while the second paragraph acts as a background (a short synopsis of what to expect in the essay)
Hamlet carefully plans his revenge, but the writer of the play, as well as evidence from the video, leave the possibility of madness open. Either way, as long as we can read his actions that way, we can understand his action for revenge. Why did Shakespeare and the directors of the acted play portray such lots of ambiguity in Hamlet’s mother’s views? From the video, it is evident that she is not only naive but also unaware of what is happening. I love the videos ability to show us that although she pretends to be unaware of the circumstances, she knows what her newly acquired husband has done. In the written play this may not be the case. All she is doing is assume she does not know a thing. At this point, the depth of human emotions is realized. Hamlet’s uncle is already aware of the implication of his actions. He knows that Hamlet is angered and, sane or insane; he is seeking to avenge his father’s death.
Performance in the champion of the 4th Chinese University Shakespeare Festival is very precise. The play starts writings on the screen showing the title of the play and the performing crew. The title of the play is written in a large font, but small letters. The director of this clip made sure that the title of the performing crew is very clear at the start of the video. It is very evident that the performance was done a group from Wuhan University. There are other writings too visible before the play begins. The clip maker included words and phrases like “taming of the shrew,” Othello, “much ado about nothing,” “Measure for measure,” among other statements. The reason for writing this before the play begins may not be very clear, but it is evident they contribute towards an understanding of the play. Once you start watching, you realize that a movie is an act of Hamlet by Shakespeare.
Yes it is very much significant to include that part. It is like the introduction to the video. How else will you professor know that actually watched the video and did not get you review from some website or blog somewhere. Furthermore, a video/movie review must include more information on what you saw, than what you know. This part prepared you for what to expect
Most of the written words at the beginning of the clip tell us what to expect later on. They are words and phrases mentioned in the play. They play the same role as a section in a play that highlights the keywords in the text. As you watch you expect to hear all these terms mentioned in the acts, and it happens. Then there is some very soothing music that introduces the viewers to the main action of the play. In the music, you can feel the emotional touch the written play has on the readers. If you have read the play, it is clear that Hamlet by Shakespeare tells a revenge story. Although it may seem like any other story, it is expressly based a son’s need for revenge after his father is murdered. The music prepares us for the emotions in the play. As a matter of facts, it starts at the 9th second and ends at the 25th second. Precisely, 16 seconds is enough time to create the mood to which the rest of the play alludes. All this time the screen is dark, and there is no action on stage. However, the music pitch changes and a lady appears on the stage. The beam of light only concentrates on her at first.
The curtains are spread, and the lady can be seen clearly and seems to be in a squatting position. The lighting of the play is not very bright, and that rhymes well with the choice of color while making the stage materials. At first, a much vibrant blue color is used as the background of the scene. The camera work was perfect because as the view was brought close to the screen, the stage become brighter, and the blue color fades slowly. The lady seen on stage is not squatting but standing. The choice of costumes was perfect as it is a bright-colored long dress that makes the character visible even from far. There are four pillar-like structures places on stage behind the characters. What they are and their purpose will be clearer as the scenes progress. All this time the music continues and creates some anticipation in the viewer. The music also keeps us patiently waiting to see what will happen next especially because the stage shows the same thing.
Then comes another character, a male figure in black and the music continues. Now it is evident that the pillars are there to signify the pillars found in a queen or kings castle. At first, you would have thought the character who just entered the lady’s premises is a soldier, but her reaction proves otherwise. She refers to him as my Lord. She seems scared, and it is evident by the way she acts and her body motion. I love the plays way of hiding reality from the views and then unfolding it later on. The King is scary, but he mixes the emotions in the play because he puts on a scary face in some instances and makes fun in others. Nevertheless, this way of acting seems very crucial as it continues to create anticipation for the viewers. Up to this point, we agree that this piece of work will impress any lover of literature. The acting seems almost flawless, and the directing is a phenomenon. However, although Zhao Zhiwen, the character in black who acts as Hamlet, tries his best to use clear and understandable language, his Chinese accent is very evident.
You may be right, but I think they did say his English was clear. However they omitted the fact that their even foreigners speak Clear English but their accent is clear too.
There are many scenes where Hamlet expresses both anger and madness. In most of these scenes, he never forgot to use the language used by Shakespeare to ensure the emotions in the written play are maintained. One inescapable fact is that the two characters, Ophelia and Gertrude, struggle to match the passion in their words and that in the language used by Shakespeare. Nevertheless, the failure to superimpose their emotions through the use of Shakespeare’s language does not affect much our understanding of the play. Was it not for the appealing stage presence of Hamlet, the play would not have been as enjoyable and eye-catching. You will watch with anticipating and you will eventually admire him and believe most of the things he says. What of his counterpart, Gertrude (Zhang Xue)? She has a lovely voice, and is very present on stage. I do not think there is any other character who would have played this role the same way.
It is very evident that Hamlet is acting out of anger. His body movements, gestures and the way he handles Gertrude explains it all. One thing I like about Zhao Zhiwen is that he fits in the shoes of Hamlet in the written play. He engages his audience quite often and still maintains his role. There was no other way to manage the emotions in the novel other than the way he does. This group of actors can make the story familiar with the original play. Besides imitating Shakespeare’s style, they ensure that they tell the story in a style that rises to a masterpiece level. Most stories include one of these indispensable elements; love, hatred, and lust. Using them in this piece creates a drama that pulls the viewers into a close assignation. In other words, both the processes of directing and acting have a way demonstrating how Hamlet’s tragedy becomes the tragedy of every individual. No matter where you go, you will find that political machinations and love affairs pose the same challenges to the society.
Zhao Zhiwen (Hamlet) is such a great character in the play who animates a broad range of attitudes and emotions. He can show rage and contemplative somberness that is full of subtlety and pledge. In all the scenes that he acts with Gertrude on stage, you can tell that he is troubled and mercurial in nature but the actor does that to achieve some justice. I am particularly impressed with how the two actors in the play pulled off the hard-to-fathom speech of “To be or not to be.” There is no doubt that this was one of the hardest speeches in the play but the characters did it marvelously. Within the first three minutes of the play, Gertrude is submissive and does everything for her Lord. Later on, she is ready to stand on her own two feet, but Hamlet continues to mock her through laughter and authoritativeness.
I specially love the use of ghostly sound effects which were well matched with the costumes and the lighting on the stage. The words were spoken with a lot of clarity and intellectual knowledge. The view is clear even though only a candle is used for lighting while ghosts talk to Hamlet. The stage managers as well as the actors did a commendable job of making it simple but very impressive. Hamlet continues to assault his once-adored woman which makes it clear that he may not be mentally upright. The transition between one scene and the next is incredible. Slowly the lighting is removed, and it’s all black while the music continues to invoke the feeling of emptiness. The lady being assaulted is in brighter clothes while Hamlet is in dark clothes. It may be used to signify that the former still has hope that all is not lost, while Hamlet’s heart is darkened by his desire to avenge the death of his father.
The choice of costume continues to be an attractive part of the actions on stage. Both Hamlet and his mother are wearing black costumes. Hamlet and his mother are in agony and denial respectively. As mentioned earlier on, his mother pretends not to understand what is happening. She knows that marrying Hamlet’s uncle was a bad idea, but she continues to act naively. Nevertheless, the way she moves on stage makes it clear that she is uncomfortable. However much she tries to hide it, it is obvious that she understands everything pretty well. She knows how much she has failed her son by marrying the same man who murdered her husband and does not seem to be doing much about it. Even though she pretends to be in tears, guilty takes the better of her. However, Hamlet acts in an interesting way. She does not only threaten his mother but also manhandles hers. At one crucial point, a sound is heard. It is sudden but done with a lot of precision. A loud but not low pitched sound is heard as Hamlet continues to threaten his mother and raising his voice at her. Before we get there, it is important to take note of the position they are in. His mother is lying on a sofa, not entirely laid down but helpless beneath Hamlet who is on top of her one foot on the couch while the other one is supported on the ground.
Hamlet’s mother is weak, and her voice did a perfect job of making sure that we get that right. The sound heard by Hamlet comes with an imperative change in the lighting of the stage. The light suddenly becomes dim to show the transition between the natural acting and the part where Hamlet speaks of the heavenly gods. He is terrified, and his kneeling position, not to mention his facial expression explains it all. However, before assuming this posture, he was threatening his mother until the sound was heard and then two flashes of light followed it. I believe the director(s) of the play wanted the flashes to signify lightning which is associated with the gods. Could this be the reason why Hamlet is terrified? On the other hand, it is interesting that his mother is not terrified. Despite Hamlet’s call unto the holy gods to save him and hover over him with their wings, his mother who is still in agony after the assault claims that he is mad.
The stage is fully lighted again, and Hamlet continues to speak to the heavenly gods. It is as the tables are turned. Hamlet was threatening his mother before the allegedly divine gesture was seen, but now his mother is comforting him like a young baby. He is calm, and there is enough light that the viewer can see that Hamlet is meditating and his calmness is temporary. He arouses curiosity when he asks his mother whether she sees nothing in front of them. What does he see and yet his mother does not even seem interested in looking towards that direction. His mother continues pretending that she did not hear anything apart from both their voices. The way the lighting is increasing at this point and we can barely see their faces well and then it reduces. There is no reason to believe that Hamlet is crazy because he is doing all this to prove to his mother that her marriage to his uncle wrong and incestuous. He keeps kneeling before her and hugging her.
Hamlet keeps raising and lowering his voice in ways that are very significant in the play. He begs his mother not to lie on his uncle’s bed again, but since he realizes that she pretends not to be aware of her sinfulness, he shouts warnings at her. His mother laments in a praying gesture. Even though they use a lot of Shakespeare’s language, their actions speak louder than words. At the end of this scene, the stage is all dark to signify the end. However, a moving figure can be seen through a single spot of light. It is moving at the same pace as the music. In a dim but visible view, we can see Hamlet lurking in the dark and then he kneels. The light is still microscopic all becomes clear as the lighting increases. It is at this moment that we see clearly that the lighting is from a candle. All of Hamlet’s tragedy is evident, but the play is not afraid of passion or emotional torture that Hamlet goes through. Only twenty minutes and a very dynamic masterpiece is thus delivered in style.
Though it is not the same standard as the original work, the video and the work done by the actors is commendable. The stage work, camera work, lighting and stage performance were totally remarkable. For instance, the main character (Zhao Zhiwen) was particularly outstanding. One may think that Shakespeare had this character in mind when composing the play. However, Shakespeare’s language is always different and despite the crew’s effort to include it, their Chinese accent was still very clear. It goes without saying that this Zhao Zhiwen (Hamlet) was exceptional and his attempt to use Shakespeare’s language did not betray him. Every other aspect of the play was creatively and meditatively articulated which made the play a must watch. It was clear from the video that the sound and light effect to signify the ghosts was very creative. The two effects were enough to depict the idea of ghosts without being seemingly absurd.