Hamlet Film Journal: Entry #4

Act III, Scene 2 of Hamlet includes a lot of redundant parts and lines that are not that useful in order to understand the play. At the beginning of the scene, utterly calm Hamlet gives a lot of useless instructions and advices for the actors. It is understandable that he desires to find out more about the death of Hamlet Senior, but this part is not a critical moment in the play. However, it would be better to keep a few interactions between Hamlet and the actors. Hamlet is extremely kind and respectful with them and it looks like he belongs with the actors.  It is also an important moment when you talk about the “Pretense & Performance” theme.

The conversation between Horatio and Hamlet needs to be a lot shorter as well. Hamlet cannot stop thanking him for being such a good friend. It is a significant interaction, because Hamlet asks his friend to keep an eye on his uncle. I would not exactly cut out the whole scene, but I would make it much shorter.  I have the same problem with the actors on the stage, because they are very repetative. Again, it is a critical moment in the play, but it should be a lot shorter. I would cut out a lot of lines and show the audience more of some reactions of Claudius and Gertrude to what was happening on the stage. In my opinion, it would be more entertaining and interesting.

Also Hamlet’s comments about Polonius are comparatively unimportant. No one needs to know about Polonius’s acting experience. After Hamlet realizes that his uncle, indeed, did kill his father, he starts to jump around, sing and hysterically laugh. I would cut out this part as well, because it is not that valuable.