HAMLET:HAMLET:Analysis of Act III, Scene Analysis of Act III, Scene

iviv

ENG 112 Midterm ENG 112 Midterm PresentationPresentation

Jacqueline KoppJacqueline Kopp

ThesisThesis

► In Act III, scene iv of the 1996 Film In Act III, scene iv of the 1996 Film adaptation of Hamlet, the use of adaptation of Hamlet, the use of costume, blocking and camera costume, blocking and camera movement convey the transformation movement convey the transformation of each character in this pivotal scene of each character in this pivotal scene which places each character on a which places each character on a course of events from which there is course of events from which there is no escape.no escape.

““The Closet Scene”The Closet Scene”

►Location: Gertrude’s chamberLocation: Gertrude’s chamber►Characters: Polonius, Gertrude, Hamlet Characters: Polonius, Gertrude, Hamlet

and the King’s ghost.and the King’s ghost.►Summary: After the “play within a Summary: After the “play within a

play”, Gertrude confronts Hamlet while play”, Gertrude confronts Hamlet while Polonius hides to uncover the reason Polonius hides to uncover the reason for his recent bizarre behavior. Hamlet for his recent bizarre behavior. Hamlet kills Polonius thinking him to be kills Polonius thinking him to be Claudius and confronts his mother Claudius and confronts his mother about her sinful behavior.about her sinful behavior.

CostumesCostumes

►The use of particular costumes in this The use of particular costumes in this scene helps to show the viewer the scene helps to show the viewer the mindset of each character.mindset of each character.

HamletHamlet

►Hamlet is dressed in Hamlet is dressed in mourning blackmourning black

► Continuing sorrowContinuing sorrow

GertrudeGertrude

►Metallic and low-cutMetallic and low-cut► Indicative of her Indicative of her

lustful naturelustful nature

PoloniusPolonius

► Polonius wears his Polonius wears his official uniformofficial uniform

► Indicates a Indicates a dedication and dedication and obsession with dutyobsession with duty

King Hamlet’s GhostKing Hamlet’s Ghost

►Now dressed in Now dressed in cloakcloak

► Presents a gentler Presents a gentler figurefigure

► Implores Hamlet to Implores Hamlet to stay on taskstay on task

BlockingBlocking

►Character’s PositionsCharacter’s Positions►ViewpointsViewpoints

Hurling AccusationsHurling Accusations

► The actors square off as the accusations fly.The actors square off as the accusations fly.

Contrast and CompareContrast and Compare

►Hamlets charges his mother to compare the Hamlets charges his mother to compare the merits of her two husbands.merits of her two husbands.

““This Visitation”This Visitation”

► Use of scene cuts Use of scene cuts and angles and angles communicate communicate visually the visually the presence of the presence of the ghost to Hamlet but ghost to Hamlet but not to Gertrude.not to Gertrude.

Calm & ExhaustionCalm & Exhaustion

►Gertrude slumpedGertrude slumped►Hamlet sittingHamlet sitting

Camera WorkCamera Work

►Camera movements communicate Camera movements communicate emotionemotion

►Camera angles communicate powerCamera angles communicate power

ConfrontationConfrontation

► Circling camera viewpoint adds to sense of Circling camera viewpoint adds to sense of confusionconfusion

AwarenessAwareness

►Gertrude’s dawning Gertrude’s dawning awareness of her awareness of her sins causes camera sins causes camera to stop spinningto stop spinning

Unseen ForcesUnseen Forces

► Forces outside the Forces outside the character’s view character’s view and control lead to and control lead to unimagined unimagined outcomes.outcomes.

Quick CutsQuick Cuts

►Quick cuts between Quick cuts between Hamlet and his Hamlet and his father add to depth father add to depth of emotional impact of emotional impact of King’s death and of King’s death and charge for revenge.charge for revenge.

ReconciliationReconciliation

► Extreme close ups Extreme close ups at the conclusion of at the conclusion of the scene reinforce the scene reinforce the pact made the pact made between Hamlet between Hamlet and Gertrude.and Gertrude.

What cost revenge?What cost revenge?

►Queen looks small, lost and unsureQueen looks small, lost and unsure► Polonius’ dead body front and centerPolonius’ dead body front and center

SummarySummary

►King Hamlet’s GhostKing Hamlet’s Ghost Costuming: Appears gentler, more Costuming: Appears gentler, more

sympatheticsympathetic Blocking: Cannot be seen by GertrudeBlocking: Cannot be seen by Gertrude Camera Work: Scene with Hamlet Camera Work: Scene with Hamlet

emotionally riveting.emotionally riveting.

►GertrudeGertrude Costume: Betrays her lustful natureCostume: Betrays her lustful nature Blocking: Begins aggressive – ends Blocking: Begins aggressive – ends

repentantrepentant Camera Work: Her dawning awareness of Camera Work: Her dawning awareness of

her transgressions and remorse is well her transgressions and remorse is well communicated through the use of close communicated through the use of close ups.ups.

►PoloniusPolonius Costume: In uniform, obsessed with dutyCostume: In uniform, obsessed with duty Blocking: Hidden from view, unseen forces Blocking: Hidden from view, unseen forces

end his lifeend his life Camera Work: Close-up of his dead body Camera Work: Close-up of his dead body

at end of scene highlights the beginning at end of scene highlights the beginning of the carnage.of the carnage.

►HamletHamlet Costume: Forever in mourning, unable to Costume: Forever in mourning, unable to

escape melancholy and fateescape melancholy and fate Blocking: Quickly takes the upper hand Blocking: Quickly takes the upper hand

and power during exchange with Gertrudeand power during exchange with Gertrude Camera Work: Deep love for father is well Camera Work: Deep love for father is well

executed through quick cuts and close executed through quick cuts and close ups.ups.