To be or not to be

        The three different versions of hamlet's to be or not to be scene that I viewed, all had strengths and weaknesses except for zeffirelli's. After I watched Zeffirelli's, I had no criticism whatsoever. Let me begin with the setting, Zeffirelli could not have chosen a better setting. He has Hamlet in a dark, lonely place. This is exactly what Hamlet's mind looks like. He's alone, angry, and having dark thoughts about death. To top it all off there are skulls all around. This only puts emphasis on Hamlet's split decision between life and death. Moving on to music, there was none. It was perfect because all the viewer could hear was the actor's echo and his footsteps. This makes his emotions seem more raw and organic, all the focus is solely on how he delivers his soliloquy. Throughout the scene, there were also many different emotions. In the beginning of the scene, the actor walks in almost reluctantly as if he doesn't want to have these thoughts. He goes on to begin the soliloquy with fear, which I could distinguish from the look in his eyes. He's scared of his thoughts. As he continues, the look goes away until he becomes angry and almost crazy. We see him talk to the statues and pace around. This represents his mind and the fight he's having with his own thoughts.
         Both Oliver and Branaugh's versions are similar to me, except for their settings. In reference to the setting, Oliver's version was better. Before Hamlet appears in the scene, it begins with waves from the ocean. These waves almost look like a fog and it seems like it is representing Hamlet's conflicting thoughts. The setting of Hamlet standing and looking over the ocean was precise because the ocean represents mystery and endlessness. Hamlet is talking about the mystery after death. He doesn't know what happens, or how terrible things could be. Branaugh's version, on the other hand, has a much weaker setting. Hamlet is seen standing in front of a mirror simply talking to himself. Of course his reflection represents the inner battle he is having in his mind, but it didn't deliver as well as it could have. Perhaps the emotions were not enough and having a more symbolic setting might have helped deliver the thoughts inside Hamlet's mind better. It seemed as if he was reciting it, the only part that brought emotion was when he pulled out his knife. It showed anger and willingness. Besides the setting , although the viewer could see the various range of emotions in both Oliver and Branaugh's versions, the emotions weren't as strong or believable as those from Zeffirelli's version. Both versions begin weak, simply just talking out loud. I feel as though the music in the background helped showed the emotions more than the actor himself. For both versions the music begins once Hamlet begins speaking of the unknown after death. The ominous music shows the feelings of fear of the unknown.
         In Almereyda's version, the emotion that the actor deliver's is strong and distinguishable. He is just walking and not opening his mouth, this makes it more dramatic because its just him and his mind. The actor's emotion is most relatable mostly because once he begins to think out loud and of why anyone would bare to live if there wasn't anything to fear after death, he gives out a mocking tone. I liked this because it shows Hamlet's dislike towards the hardship that is life. Since the setting is obviously modern and doesn't really represent Hamlet's thoughts, Almereyda uses the tv screens to symbolize the destruction of his thoughts and death. The music in this version, isn't anything to dramatic or flashy it just allows the viewer to focus on Hamlet's revelation and thoughts. Its as if the viewer is thinking along with him, its kind of calm and though provoking music.