Portrayal Of Ophelia Throughout The Two Film Versions Of...

Simran Jandu Mr. Crawford English 40S November 11, 2016 Portrayal of Ophelia in the two film versions of Hamlet Hamlet is an acknowledging Shakespearean play that was later filmed in 1990 by Franco Zeffirelli and in 1996 by Kenneth Branagh. Both these directors interpret the play differently adding unique twists and turns of their own to help focus on one thing than the other. In their contrasting films, these two directors depict the character of Ophelia very differently. Through Zeffirelli’s film, Ophelia, played by Helena Bonham Carter is portrayed as a dreamy, naive, childish character, however in Branagh s version; Kate Winslet portrays Ophelia as a more mature, sensible and strong willed character. These different portrayals of Ophelia can be further analyzed through cinematography, set and costume designs and through the actor themselves. Firstly, the different interpretation of Ophelia is shown through the cinematography of the two films. Cinematography refers to the camera movement and angles. Zeffirelli chooses to make many of Ophelia’s shots filmed from above, reinforc ing Ophelia’s character small helpless and under control. Whereas in Branagh’s most of the scenes of are front, eye level shots. These shots show Ophelia like anyone else in the movie. Another difference in shots can be seen in the â€Å"mad scene† part, when Ophelia goes mad after the death of Polonius, her father. In Zeffirelli’s film the scene is the camera tends to follow Ophelia around showingShow MoreRelatedHamlet Film Adaption Vs. Play Comparison1216 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet Film Adaption vs. Play Comparison Shakespeare’s Hamlet has countlessly been formatted into film depictions of the play. Each film seemed to be on one end of the spectrum of either being closely interpreted or completely remodeled a different idea of what Hamlet is. The film version of Hamlet released in 2000 seems to follow closely to the play in some aspects, yet at the same time having its own unique identity Despite there being many differences with the play Hamlet and the film adaptationRead More Sex in Othello and Hamlet Essay4016 Words   |  17 PagesShakespeares plays, Othello and Hamlet, demonstrate on paper, on film, and in other art forms that female sexuality and beauty are a threat to patriarchal society and that they must be controlled. Showalter affirms this in her essay by quoting David Laverenzes essay, The Woman in Hamlet. In this essay he asserts that, Hamlets disgust at the feminine passivity in himself translated into violent revulsion against women and into his brutal behavior toward O phelia (Showalter 222). As men begin