Week 7: Alternity

Benedict Cumberbatch in a 2015 production of Hamlet by the National Theater 

This week we will watch a play in class and then discuss it. We will be watching Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard. In order to understand the apporach of this play it is necessary to have seen an earlier play, Shakespeare's Hamlet. The reading assignment for this week is to read or watch Hamlet. Here are some links to some easily accessed versions of the play:

Mel Gibson's Hamlet features historical costume and sets. A very brooding Hamlet more focused on the emotion and action of the play than on the language. Sort of Hamlet as Road Warrior. Directed by the great set designer in a somewhat operatic fashion, Franco Zeffirelli. Not a very accurate text of the play, trimmed for speedier production and streamlined.

Dr. Who/Star Trek Hamlet. A very interesting production featuring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart in a fairly clear production featuring the orginal language of the play. This is a good version to watch for this week's class. Here in parts on You Tube. Act 1, Scene 1; Act 1, Scene 2 part 1; Act 1, Scene 2 part 2; Act 1, Scene 3; Act 1, Scene 4, part 1; Act 1, Scene 4, part 2; Act 2, Scene 1; Act 2, Scene 2, part 1a (this is Rosencratz and Guildenstern scene); Act 2, Scene 2, part 1 (famous soliloquy); Act 1, Scene 2, part 2; Act 2, Scene 2, part 3; Act 2, Scene 2, part 4; Act 3, Scene 1; Act 3, Scene 2, part 1; Act 3, Scene 2, part 2; Act 3, Scene 3; Act 3, Scene 4, part 1; Act 3, Scene 4, part 2; Act 3, Scene 5 and 6; Act 4, Scene 1, part 1; Act 4, Scene 1, part 2; Act 4, Scene 2 and 3; Act 5, Scene 1, part 1; Act 5, Scene 1 part 2; Act 5, Scene 2 part 1; Act 5, Scene 2, part 2.  

Kenneth Branagh Hamlet, one of the most complete versions on film. Long, but it is pretty much all there and well-produced and spoken.  Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4.

Play Video of Hamlet in a WWI era production. Like seeing the play performed live. Basic production with some interpretative spin. 

A Vintage Production in Armenian. Just interesting to see Hamlet in another language. If you watch a little of this and you know the play you can catch ideas about characterization and theme even if you can't understand what they are saying. Similarly interesting is this version from Indian Cinema, not in English.

Netflix is currently offering Hamlet 2000 a corporate media empire setting of Hamlet starring Ethan Hawke and featuring, Kyle MacLachlan, Julia Stiles and Bill Murray.