Zeffirelli's "Hamlet"

Comparison Essay # 60403

English > Comparison
English > Creative Writing
Film > Analysis, Criticism, Etc.

Emphasizes the main points of Franco Zeffirelli's film version of "Hamlet".

1,750 words () | 0 sources | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper picks out the key differences between Zeffirelli's film translation of "Hamlet" and the original play written by William Shakespeare. The paper contains many quotes that persuade the reader that Zeffirelli's version is better.

From the Paper:

"A persistent element in Zeffirelli's version of Hamlet is the image of the unseen onlooker who takes in the action without being noticed. Hamlet is this spy when Polonius admonishes Ophelia not to "give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet." (1.3.141). Polonius is the secret watcher as Hamlet first appears to be mad before Ophelia. Once again Hamlet looks on secretly as Polonius conspires with Claudius and Gertrude to use Ophelia against him. And again Polonius and Claudius watch as Hamlet denies his love for Ophelia. This variable spectator serves not only to further the action (i.e. it plants the seeds in Hamlet's mind that Ophelia is treacherous , or in Polonius' mind that Hamlet is mad because of Ophelia), but also to give the audience a silent spectator to identify with."