How has Queen Gertrude (Shakespeare's Hamlet) been portrayed in screen adaptation? Does her image differ from the original text? To answer these questions, I will analyze a selection of screen adaptions, where Gertrude is portrayed differently in almost each adaptation. Gertrude is seen as an incestuous woman who is not faithful to her dead husband and can not control her sexuality. She is a weak woman victimized by males and never has a chance to protect herself from patriarchal authority.
After her husband’s death, King Hamlet, Gertrude falls in love with his brother, which is something Hamlet can not accept. Through her love for Claudius, she is no longer the perfect ideal of a woman for hamlet. Hamlet becomes angry and disappointed at his mother's fall; he transfers this new image to all the other women, including Ophelia, whom he drives mad, and then to her death.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Laurence Olivier's Hamlet
3. Grigori Kozintsev's Hamlet
4. Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet
5. Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet
6. Michael Almereyda's Hamlet
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This academic portfolio investigates the multi-faceted representation of Queen Gertrude in various 20th-century film adaptations of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." It examines how directors utilize cinematic techniques and distinct cultural interpretations to reshape Gertrude’s character, exploring the shifting boundaries between her portrayal as a seductive figure, a caring mother, or a victim of patriarchal authority.
- Comparative analysis of Gertrude's depiction in major film adaptations.
- The influence of Freudian, political, and social interpretations on character development.
- The role of casting and actress performance in shaping audience perception.
- Visual and formal cinematic techniques used to convey Gertrude's sexuality and power.
- Gender dynamics and the manifestation of patriarchal constraints in different directorial visions.
Excerpt from the Book
Franco Zeffirelli’s screen adaptation shows how the choice of the actress can exert an influence on the reception of the female figure.
Zeffirelli casts Glenn Close in the role of Hamlet's queen and mother, who has already been seen as a sexually attractive, seductive woman in earlier films. Therefore, this leads the viewer to assume from the start that she will also embody one in Hamlet. During the funeral, Gertrude and Claudius express a particular interest in each other and cast a long glance at each other as Gertrude clings tearfully to the coffin of her deceased husband. This scene shows ‘the widowed queen’s consuming grief reveals that the former king was much beloved.’ The following scene in the film depicts Claudius' speech from Act I, Scene ii, in which a smiling Gertrude can now be seen in the picture. This drastic change from grave speech to wedding speech shapes the characterization of the queen, who appears as volatile and libidinous. This impression is especially evident in her relationship with Claudius and Hamlet, characterized by a constant exchange of physical contact. Hence, in the first half of the film, Gertrude kisses and embraces her husband effusively, for example, when she meets him in the castle or when he waits for her outside. In this way, Zeffirelli translates textual replicas such as ‘As if increase of appetite had grown/ By what it fed on" (I. ii. 144-145) or "a pair of reechy kisses’ (III. iv. 186) into film images.
Summary of Chapters
1. Abstract: Provides a synopsis of the research scope, covering adaptations from 1948 to 2000 and the thesis that social context influences Gertrude's depiction.
2. Laurence Olivier's Hamlet: Discusses the Freudian interpretation of the mother-son relationship and the portrayal of Gertrude as a seductive, youthful woman.
3. Grigori Kozintsev's Hamlet: Explores the Soviet-era focus on social status, modesty, and Gertrude's insignificance within a corrupt political framework.
4. Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet: Analyzes the depiction of explicit sexuality and the influence of Glenn Close's performance on the queen's libidinous characterization.
5. Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet: Examines how the use of the complete original text impacts the character's role and shifts toward political relevance in the 1990s.
6. Michael Almereyda's Hamlet: Investigates the portrayal of Gertrude through modern intertextual references, focusing on fashion, power dynamics, and feminist leanings.
7. Conclusion: Summarizes findings, noting that while interpretations vary, Gertrude consistently serves as a mirror to cultural trends and patriarchal structure.
Keywords
Hamlet, Queen Gertrude, Screen Adaptation, Shakespeare, Film Studies, Gender Roles, Patriarchy, Freudian Interpretation, Sexuality, Laurence Olivier, Franco Zeffirelli, Character Representation, Cultural Context, Adaptation Theory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The work focuses on the cinematic representation of Queen Gertrude in various "Hamlet" film adaptations, analyzing how different directors adapt her character for contemporary audiences.
Which adaptations of Hamlet are analyzed?
The study examines versions by Laurence Olivier (1948), Grigori Kozintsev (1964), Franco Zeffirelli (1990), Kenneth Branagh (1996), and Michael Almereyda (2000).
What is the main goal of the thesis?
The goal is to determine how directorial interpretation and the cultural/social context of the time influence the visual and behavioral depiction of Gertrude.
What scientific method is employed?
The author uses a comparative film analysis method, looking at specific scenes, costume choices, camera work, and directorial decisions regarding the original text.
What primary aspects of Gertrude's character are addressed?
Key aspects include her sexuality, her relationship with Hamlet and Claudius, her position within the patriarchal system, and her political relevance in later adaptations.
Which keywords classify this work best?
The work is best defined by terms like Screen Adaptation, Gender Roles, Sexuality, Shakespeare, and Film Studies.
How does Zeffirelli's version differ from earlier adaptations?
Zeffirelli is noted for depicting incest and sexuality much more explicitly than his predecessors, utilizing physical contact and specific camera angles to emphasize libido.
What role does the choice of actress play in the adaptations?
The analysis argues that previous roles played by actresses (such as Glenn Close or Julie Christie) significantly impact audience expectations and the interpretation of Gertrude's character.
Does the depiction of Gertrude remain consistent across all films?
No, the author concludes that she is portrayed differently in almost every film, ranging from a lustful, decadent figure to a modest queen or a modern, powerful woman.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding Gertrude?
Despite the varying interpretations, the author concludes that Gertrude largely remains a victim of patriarchal authority in the majority of these screen adaptations.
- Citar trabajo
- Ibrahim Al Shaaban (Autor), 2022, How has Queen Gertrude (Shakespeare's Hamlet) been portrayed in screen adaptation?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1289164
