The Monologue

[cesario]

Previous post:

First Act:
Scene I: The Crazy Occult Forays of Marcellus and Horatio.
Scene II: Claudius is the villain, but he's still hotter than you.
Scene III: Ophelia's virginity is a national treasure. Just ask her dad and brother.
Scene IV: That a ghoooooooooost?
Scene V: "'Who's your daddy?' Now that's just inappropriate."

Second Act:

Comments

[angevin2]

Will someone please tell me at what point in history England paid tribute to Denmark, and why?

This is what's known as the Danegeld, and it predates the Norman conquest by some time: basically, the tribute was a way to keep the Vikings from invading them and engaging in sackage and pillage and all the things that Vikings are known for doing. Rudyard Kipling wrote a well-known poem about it.

(There were occasional productions of Hamlet in the 19th century and thereabouts that therefore put the cast in the sort of clothing that would be appropriate for turn-of-the-millenium Danes.)

Also, I totally, totally agree with your reading of the nunnery scene. It's sort of the "oh man, they got to you too?" moment. Like she's Pod!Ophelia or something, only not quite.

[cesario]

This is what's known as the Danegeld

OH. Jesus. I didn't know the play was meant to be THAT archaic. Branagh's slick 19th century sets have warped my perception!

[angevin2]

Well, Shakespeare wasn't really thinking of it as that archaic either -- he's not really concerned with locating his play in a "real" time and space, which is why they have an Elizabethan troupe of players wandering around in apparently tenth-century Denmark, and the characters are pretty much all recognizably Elizabethan. But he lifts just enough from Saxo Grammaticus to weird us all the hell out... ;)

Also, it occurs to me that if we are literal about the play's time and setting, then it has Vikings and pirates in it, and is only missing ninjas to be a perfect storm of AWESOME.

[lareinenoire]

I completely and utterly agree with your reading of the nunnery scene. It was one of my favourite portions of the Branagh film -- you could literally see the wheels turning in his head when he figured out that Ophelia was in on the plot.

I really need to reread this play sometime. When I don't have a deadline. Bleh.

[cesario]

Kate Winslet's Ophelia is definitely the best I've ever seen, though I think Branagh could have given her (Ophelia) more credit.

[lareinenoire]

You get the same thing in productions of Othello, I find. Nobody wants to give Desdemona any credit, despite the fact that text gives her quite a bit (at least I think so). It's also worth noting that giving Ophelia credit for sense also reflects rather badly on Hamlet for being such an ass. And I have the feeling, especially in productions where the director also plays Hamlet, this could be an issue.

[cesario]

You know, I'm not sure that I actually buy that reading of the scene, in terms of trying to interpret a One True Hamlet, but I love it anyway and would dearly wish to see it played like that, for my own curiosity. Did you read about this interpretation or actually see it in a production?

[cesario]

Oh, that sounds kind of awesome. :) I'm like that too, with a couple of plays, in terms of having pet theories that no one else agrees with.

Erm, is the Much Ado character you're thinking of Don Pedro? Claudio? Leonato? The Friar?

[capnflynn]

Just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying these!

Also:
he's not really any better at understanding himself than he is at understanding anyone else, despite his incessant introspection.

OMG, yes! I know people with this problem!

[cesario]

OMG, yes! I know people with this problem!

Actually, I think I might have this problem. :-)

[vivnsect]

These are very enjoyable (by the way) ;)

[cesario]

Thanks! Glad you're reading. :)