Over the years, various scholarly interpretations of the Ghost in Hamlet were established. They lie between extremes: some consider the Ghost an evil spirit whose call for revenge should have been ignored , and others stick with the opposite opinion that the Ghost is truly the spirit of Hamlet’s father returned from purgatory because that is what the Ghost himself states.
Many Hamlet scholars argued for the one and the other side, and convincing arguments for both points of view exist. However, the actual question is not if the Ghost is good or evil, but what William Shakespeare aimed at with the integration of a character so difficult to capture. As Constanze Pleinen detected correctly in "Das Übernatürliche bei Shakespeare", the Ghost’s ambiguity explains the perseverative popularity of the play; if it could be definitely clarified that the Ghost is either a good or evil spirit, a lot of tension would be lost for the audience and reader.
To prove that this thesis is also applicable on film adaptations of Hamlet is the aim of this term paper. Therefore, I chose two screen adaptations of Hamlet and examined how the Ghost is represented in each of them. My thesis is that in neither adaptation the Ghost is clearly marked as good spirit or evil demon, but the ambiguity between those two options is maintained in both adaptations; the directors play with this equivocality to retain the tension of the audience.
In order to prove my thesis, at first the significance of the Ghost and its ambiguity in Hamlet will be explained. It will be shown that Shakespeare did not embed a Ghost in Hamlet to simply entertain the audience, but that the Ghost is a central character of the play. In the subsequent chapter I will take a close look at the Hamlet adaptations of Olivier and Branagh. Primarily, an overview of each film by itself will be provided, then the representation of the Ghost will be described and afterwards analysed with regard to the Ghost’s ambiguity. By linking my own observations to those of other literary scholars, I will hopefully be able to prove my thesis in the conclusion of this paper.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Significance of the Ghost and its Ambiguity in Hamlet
- The Representation of the Ghost in Two Film Adaptations
- Laurence Olivier's Hamlet: A Classic
- Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet: a Full-Text Masterpiece
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the representation of the ghost's ambiguity in two film adaptations of Hamlet, exploring how directors handle the supernatural element and the resulting tension. The paper argues that the ambiguity of the ghost is deliberately maintained in both adaptations to enhance dramatic effect.
- The ambiguity of the ghost's nature in Shakespeare's Hamlet.
- The challenges of representing the supernatural in film adaptations of Hamlet.
- Comparative analysis of the ghost's portrayal in Laurence Olivier's and Kenneth Branagh's adaptations.
- The role of the ghost as a catalyst for the play's events.
- The relationship between the ghost's ambiguity and the play's enduring popularity.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the inherent difficulties filmmakers face in portraying Hamlet's ghost. It establishes the central question of the ghost's nature—is it a benevolent spirit or a malevolent demon?—and introduces the paper's thesis: that both chosen film adaptations maintain this ambiguity to heighten dramatic tension. The chapter also briefly outlines the structure and methodology of the analysis, previewing the examination of Laurence Olivier's and Kenneth Branagh's adaptations.
The Significance of the Ghost and its Ambiguity in Hamlet: This chapter delves into the multifaceted nature of the ghost in Shakespeare's play, examining its significance beyond mere dramatic effect. It explores the scholarly debate surrounding the ghost's origins and intentions, citing interpretations ranging from a malevolent spirit to a genuine, albeit vengeful, apparition of Hamlet's father. The chapter highlights the complexities of the ghost's role as a catalyst, setting in motion Hamlet's quest for revenge while simultaneously fostering ambiguity about the morality of this quest. The discussion draws on various scholarly interpretations to illustrate the lasting debate over the ghost’s true nature and its impact on the play's enduring appeal. The chapter concludes by emphasizing that Shakespeare's masterful creation of an ambiguous ghost creates sustained tension and interpretive complexity, making the play continuously captivating for both readers and viewers.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Hamlet, film adaptation, ghost, ambiguity, supernatural, revenge, Laurence Olivier, Kenneth Branagh, Shakespeare, dramatic tension, scholarly interpretations.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Hamlet's Ghost in Film Adaptations
What is the main topic of this academic paper preview?
This paper preview analyzes the representation of the ghost's ambiguity in two film adaptations of Hamlet (Laurence Olivier's and Kenneth Branagh's versions), exploring how directors handle the supernatural element and the resulting dramatic tension. The central argument is that the ambiguity of the ghost is deliberately maintained to enhance dramatic effect.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the ambiguity of the ghost's nature in Shakespeare's play and its film adaptations; the challenges of representing the supernatural in film; a comparative analysis of the ghost's portrayal in Olivier's and Branagh's adaptations; the ghost's role as a catalyst for the play's events; and the relationship between the ghost's ambiguity and the play's enduring popularity.
What is included in this preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview, including the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It offers a detailed look at the paper's structure and the arguments presented.
What is the purpose of the paper?
The paper aims to analyze how the ambiguity of Hamlet's ghost is handled in two different film adaptations, examining the directorial choices and their impact on the overall dramatic effect. It seeks to demonstrate that maintaining the ghost's ambiguity serves to enhance the tension and complexity of the narrative.
Which film adaptations are analyzed?
The paper analyzes Laurence Olivier's and Kenneth Branagh's film adaptations of Hamlet.
What is the significance of the ghost's ambiguity in Shakespeare's play?
The paper argues that Shakespeare's masterful creation of an ambiguous ghost creates sustained tension and interpretive complexity, contributing significantly to the play's enduring appeal. The ambiguity of whether the ghost is benevolent or malevolent fuels scholarly debate and enhances the dramatic impact of the narrative.
How does the paper approach its analysis?
The paper utilizes a comparative analysis approach, examining the choices made by Olivier and Branagh in their respective adaptations to represent the ghost. It draws upon scholarly interpretations of the play to support its arguments.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the introduction and the chapter on the significance of the ghost's ambiguity in Shakespeare's Hamlet. The introduction sets the stage, outlining the paper's central question and thesis. The second chapter delves into the multifaceted nature of the ghost in Shakespeare's play, exploring scholarly interpretations of its origins and intentions.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Hamlet, film adaptation, ghost, ambiguity, supernatural, revenge, Laurence Olivier, Kenneth Branagh, Shakespeare, dramatic tension, scholarly interpretations.
- Quote paper
- Larissa Fick (Author), 2014, "Spirit of Health" or "Goblin Damn’d"? The Representation of the Ghost’s Ambiguity in Two Hamlet Film Adaptations, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/293901
