Background
Old King Hamlet, following a victory in war over Norway, has died. His brother, Claudius has taken the throne and married Gertrude, the dead Hamlet’s widow. Young Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is having trouble accepting both the death of his father and the marriage of his mother to Claudius. Meanwhile, in Norway, Fortinbras, nephew to the Norwegian King, has been making incursions against Denmark.
Summary
Horatio, Hamlet’s friend, is told of the appearance of the ghost of the dead King of Denmark. Prince Hamlet is disturbed that his mother Gertrude has married his uncle Claudius following the death of Hamlet’s father, Hamlet King of Denmark. Hamlet learns from the ghost of his dead father that his father was murdered by Hamlet’s uncle Claudius. Hamlet is sworn to revenge but finds it difficult to carry out. Also, he feels betrayed by his mother and his lover Ophelia, who is the daughter of Polonius, advisor to Claudius. Through a series of missteps and as a consequence of Hamlet’s own dismay and despair over his promised vengeance and Claudius’s efforts to cover the murder of the dead king, all of the major characters of the play, excepting Horatio, die.
Gibson’s Hamlet
“a brooding, sullen-browed young Hamlet--moody, miserable yet clever and cunning, and always lurking in the dark corners of this ever-somber castle.” (Davison)
Branagh’s Hamlet
“a determined young man whose bright and opulent surroundings reflect a very intellectual, socially and politically astute strategist “ (Davison)
Work Cited
Davison, Lynn Jr. Mel Gibson vs. Kenneth Branaugh as Hamlet. N/a. 08 Apr. 2000. <http://www.spectrum.ndsu.nodak.edu/Backissues/1997-1998/1031/A1031hamlet.html>..
