Thursday, December 11, 2014

Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation of Hamlet is epic; how is this seen in the style of the film?

Your premise that Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of
Hamlet is an epic must be proven; an examination of the film will
determine whether your premise is true. Though the movie does not meet the requirements
for a classical/traditional epic, an examination of three less specific definitions of
"epic" will help establish whether or not this film qualifies for that
title.


The first definition is "surpassing the usual or
ordinary, particularly in scope or size." While it is not elaborate or extraordinarily
ornamental (no glittering thrones or diamond-encrusted tiaras, for example), the setting
of Branagh's Hamlet is grand and expansive. The castle is large and
the grounds are substantial. Perhaps compared to other movies, Branagh's Hamlet is not
particularly epic; however, compared to the other movie versions of Hamlet, his film
could qualify. Unlike, say, the more rustic and sparse royal residence in the 1990
version of Hamlet, this is an estate for which it might be worth
committing murder.


Another definition of "epic" is "heroic;
majestic; impressively great." This does not particularly apply to setting but could be
applied to plot. Branagh's film is quite long, something which may be acceptable in live
theater but is not as well received in move theaters. To ensure that the audience is not
bored, Branagh has to be impressive. He does this by using dramatic color schemes (all
red, white, and black) and by using familiar actors to play many of the characters. He
also uses flashbacks to create a more impressive film. He uses flashbacks with the Ghost
to make it clear that Claudius is a usurper and with Ophelia to reveal his point of view
about her relationship with Hamlet--they had one and it was serious. Because of these
impressive elements, this film could be considered epic. 


A
final definition of "epic" is this: "an episode in the lives of men in which heroic
deeds are performed or attempted" This could be applied more to theme than either
setting or plot. In fact, this definition could be a tag line for this play: Hamlet
attempts--and finally performs--a heroic deed. To be completely fair, this has more to
do with Shakespeare's story than to Branagh's interpretation; however, it is Branagh
himself who makes this theme believable in his movie. We see and feel Hamlet's anguish
and doubt as he struggles to act; his soliloquies are particularly impressive (and true
Hamlet fans are thankful that Branagh did not edit them for time or to "dumb them down,"
as other film versions have done). 


Using these definitions
of "epic," we can agree that Kenneth Branagh's film version of
Hamlet qualifies because of the setting he chose, the plot
techniques he utilized, and his effective presentation of the play's
theme. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Comment on the setting and character of "The Fall of the House of Usher."How does setting act as a character?

Excellent observation, as it identifies how the settings of Poe's stories reflect the characters of their protagonists. Whet...