Essay

Both Olivier and Branagh employ Claudius' acting as a video technique, to reveal privacy versus public. In fact, Claudius speaks rapidly to Hamlet and speaks loud to the public in both videos. There are some differences, however. In Olivier, Claudius speaks in a harsher tone, which reveals ____. Nevertheless, Branagh essentially follows Olivier.

What interests me..

I find it interesting how there are many different versions of Hamlet, each with their own unique style. However, they all have similarities as well. Each version reveals Public versus Private space. It is clear how in many of the films, Claudius often speaks for the audience, while Gertrude and Hamlet speak privately to each other. It is also interesting how in all of the versions Gertrude is flirting with Hamlet, she reveals an aspect of Oedipus

Essay Comparing

Laurence Oliver: Gertrude is touching Hamlet, which makes her seem like a mother figure and Hamlet like a "mommas boy." Meanwhile, Claudius is off-scence. Hamlet is seethed, while Gertrude is standing. Claudius is scolding Hamlet. No eye contact. Claudius is roaming around court, belittling. Hamlet is looking down, dressed in black. Claudius is talking in loud voice when speaking to crowd, speaking rapidly when talking to Hamlet. It is clear that Oliver has been influenced by Oedipus, when Gertrude kisses Hamlet. Claudius drags queen away

BBC: King and Queen are seated. Hamlet is turning his back. Gertrude is aggressive. Hamlet seems more confident (he has a sarcastic tone). King and Queen are standing, Hamlet seated. Queen hangs on Claudius, which angers Claudius. Hypocrisy "It was a loving surprise"

Mel Gibson: No court. More like a family meeting. Director has Claudius leave room. Violin in background suggest sentimental. Tenderness between mother and son. Mother is like a little girl running off alone

Kenneth Branagh: Admires Oliver's view. First triangle where king lowers himself to Hamlet's level. claudius sounds reasonable and nice (but he is still a murderer). Private vs. Public space= whispering vs. "let world take note." Claudius is dressed in read (there are two sides to him) Gertrude in white and Hamlet in black.

King Claudius

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/hamlet/claudiuscharacter.html

-His primary role in the play is to spawn Hamlet's confusion and anger, and his subsequent search for truth and life's meaning
-Claudius has assumed the role of the chief mourner, and the people can unite behind a collective suffering.
-But Claudius, in private, is a very different person. The Ghost refers to him as "that incestuous, that adulterate beast" (1.5.42), and we soon realize that his crime is what is "rotten in the state of Denmark." 
-However, Claudius is not a total sociopath, devoid of moments of guilt and regret. His deeds, on occasion, weigh heavy on his heart:
-He tries to ask God's forgiveness in a moving soliloquy but he realizes that he still reaps all the benefits of his crimes and cannot give them up:

I find Claudius interesting because he is a character with many dimensions. It is difficult to pin point his true temperament. Furthermore, his true character can be perceived in many ways. 

Hamlet Act I

In the first act of Hamlet, the meeting between Hamlet and the Ghost of his father, King Hamlet is a pivotal point in the play. In fact, the ghost of King Hamlet explains that he was poisoned by King Claudius, the current ruler of Denmark. By doing so, he reveals an important mystery in the beginning of the play. Furthermore, the ghost requests that Hamlet avenges his death but not to get revenge on Queen Getrude for remarrying so soon. Evidently, this scene sets the tone for the rest of the play.