The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 8.0314. Tuesday, 4 March 1997.
[1] From: Edna Z. Boris <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Monday, 03 Mar 97 10:12:15 EST
Subj: Branagh's "To be"
[2] From: Lim Lee Ching <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Tuesday, 04 Mar 1997 02:08:14 +0800
Subj: Ben Jonson
[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Edna Z. Boris <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Monday, 03 Mar 97 10:12:15 EST
Subject: Branagh's "To be"
I'm curious to know people's reactions to Branagh's handling of the "To
be" speech. Claudius and Polonius are behind a mirrored door in a
mirror-filled hall. Hamlet walks directly to that door; they are able to
see Hamlet, but Hamlet cannot see them. As he speaks the speech, the
camera cuts back and forth from Hamlet to them. At one point Hamlet
holds his dagger up to the glass and we see Claudius recoil
precipitously.
Did anyone interpret this staging as intended to show Hamlet knowing
they are there?
In Branagh's notes on the scene, he says that Hamlet is "unaware," but
he also says that that "Hamlet seems to spell out the whips and scorns
as if Claudius was personally responsible." The notes also say that
only at "Go thy ways to a nunnery" does Hamlet know they are there when
he hears a tiny noise and sees Ophelia's reaction.
[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Lim Lee Ching <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Tuesday, 04 Mar 1997 02:08:14 +0800
Subject: Ben Jonson
This may not be the best place to ask, but does anyone know of any good
Ben Jonson related materials(other than the texts to the plays)
available on the Web. I can be contacted off-list at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Many Thanks.
ching
