Kristen- Ophelia's Eulogy

We are gathered here today to honor and pay our respects to our dear friend Ophelia. Ophelia was a bright and bubbly young lady, whose spirit will be with us forever. She would give advice and help anyone who was in need of it. Some people feel Ophelia does not deserve a proper Christian burial, but we do. The rumor is she killed herself, but we do not believe this story. Gertrude was the only one close enough to see what was happening. If she saw what Ophelia was doing, why didn’t she run to help her and maybe she could have even saved her life. Is Gertrude’s story the truth or just what she wants us to hear? We all know Ophelia was going through very difficult times. If the friends she was always there for, were there when she needed them, she might be alive today.

The death of her father and recent breakup with Hamlet overwhelmed Ophelia with stress. Ophelia loved her father and Hamlet, but when her father told her she could not be with Hamlet, she became very upset. She loved Hamlet more then she ever loved anyone before. This caused Ophelia to become depressed. Soon after this, Hamlet killed her father, Polonius. Ophelia felt responsible for the death of her father, causing her to go mad from the stress. After Hamlet killed Polonius, Hamlet started to become mentally ill. This also put stress on Ophelia. Hamlet said he would eat a crocodile for Ophelia but yet would not be a friend for her to talk to when she needed him. Also, Ophelia was very close to her brother Laertes. If he was having a problem she was always by his side and would help him get through whatever it was. She was always there for the men in her life and in return, the men cause her death.

Ophelia was taken away from us far too soon. She was young with her whole life ahead of her. No one will know what Ophelia was thinking seconds before she drowned. We will just have to wait until we meet her again in the after life. Until then, we should be happy that Ophelia does not have to go through anymore stress and can be with her father once again. Now, we must keep Ophelia’s spirit alive. You will be truly missed beautiful. Rest in peace Ophelia.

Kristen Hamlet's Dilemma

In this scene, Hamlet has come across another huge dilemma. The question is should he kill his uncle or let him live. Hamlet is very mad at his uncle for killing his father, but he does not kill him right away. When Hamlet is spying on his uncle, he sees him asking God for forgiveness. By Claudius praying to God, Hamlet knows that his uncle will go to heaven instead of hell. This causes Hamlet to second guess his decision. Just like when Hamlet is debating to kill himself or live, he thinks a lot but does not act right away. Hamlet does not want his uncle to go to heaven and get away with the murder of his father. Hamlet knows that if he kills Claudius, he will have to live with the consequences that come with his actions. Many people already think that Hamlet is crazy, so I think that not killing his uncle right away is the correct decision. Hamlet’s friends like Ophelia spy on Hamlet and ask him questions to see if he is crazy. If Hamlet killed his uncle right away, many people would view him differently and he may not be able to become the king one day like he wanted to.

Even though Claudius prays to God for forgiveness, I do not think he is sincerely sorry for his actions. Claudius only asks for forgiveness once he learns Hamlet knows the truth. I think that if he was truly sorry and devoted to God, he would have already asked for forgiveness. Also, I think Claudius needs to step down from the throne to prove he is sorry. By praying to God, Claudius knows that God will forgive him while keeping all the things he took from his brother. If Claudius willingly steps down from the throne then I feel he could be forgiven. Until Claudius takes responsibility for his actions he should not be forgiven.

To be or not to be

Film 1: In Olivier’s film of Hamlet, the to be or not to be scene takes place on the beach. Hamlet sits on the rocks while in the background the viewer can hear the waves crashing onto the shore. Also, when Hamlet talks about death, he takes out his dagger and points it to his head. I think Olivier has Hamlet do that to show just how close Hamlet is to killing himself. In addition, when Hamlet is speaking, the camera angles change and the picture get closer to his head. Olivier does this to emphasize to the viewer that everything Hamlet is saying is in his head and that he is having a fight with himself to live or die.

Film 2: In the film by Zeffirelli, the setting is very different from the first. The scene takes place is a tomb probably under the castle. While Hamlet is speaks about death, he looks at the dead bodies. Zeffirelli does this to show the viewer how Hamlet is debating between life and death. Also, the scene is dark and the camera zooms in on his face to build suspense while Hamlet is talking.

Film 3: In the third film, Branagh has Hamlet talk to himself by looking in the mirror. Hamlet talks in a whisper to add suspense to what he is saying. As Hamlet looks in the mirror, he keeps eye contact with himself. I think Branagh does this to highlight how Hamlet is having a conflict with himself.

Film 4: In the last film, the scene is very modern. The setting is in a Blockbuster DVD store. As Hamlet walks down the aisles, all the signs say action. Almereyda uses the signs to point out how Hamlet needs to take action about his problems. Hamlet talks about the option of life and death but does not take action. Also, the televisions in the background flicker to represent Hamlet’s conflict between living or killing himself.