Differences Between The Play And The Movie Hamlet

Hamlet the Play versus Hamlet the Movie The movie Hamlet and the play have many noticeable differences. The Hamlet starring Mel Gibson added and cut scenes and lines from the play. The director most likely did this so that viewers could understand Hamlet better. Overall, the movie kept main themes and the plot however multiple noticeable changes were made. The differences start immediately, the play begins with Horatio and the guards waiting outside of the castle for the ghost to arrive. While they are waiting the ghost of Hamlet's father appears twice. Although the ghost appears he does not speak. The guards decide to tell Hamlet about his father’s ghost to see if the ghost will talk to Hamlet. Unlike the play the movie begins with a funeral, the funeral of King …show more content…
In the beginning of the play, Hamlets feelings for Ophelia are understood so the audience knows that this is just a tough act. In the play, Polonius and Hamlets Markert 2
Uncle, Claudius is hiding behind a curtain in the library, while Hamlet and Ophelia are meeting. Unlike the play, the movie did not give me a clear understanding of Hamlets feelings for Ophelia. The biggest issue with the movie was Hamlets "To be or not to be " speech. It was shortened drastically like most long monologues in the movie. I believe that this is one of the most iconic things about Shakespeare's Hamlet and I personally do not believe it should have been changed. The director in this monologue clearly used light to his Advantage. It seems as though in this scene they use light to represent God. One similarity I enjoyed about this version of the play was the characterization of Hamlet. Mel Gibson did a glorious job of acting strong and intelligent. While still seeming tortured by his own feeling and thoughts. His acting was raw and I believe he embodied the character of Hamlet