Having now read the first few acts of Hamlet using a couple of different methods, I have stumbled upon something that I find really interesting about Shakespearean plays. Characterization is completely up for interpretation. We deduce all that we know about characters by the script of the play. When the play is performed, the actor is given a wide range for the portrayal of their character.
I have had the opportunity of viewing the Mel Gibson version of Hamlet, as well as the Kenneth Branagh version in high school. During that class, we also read the play called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and watched the corresponding movie. I found the switch in perspectives extremely refreshing in my understanding of the play.
When you are reading a play, you look at perspectives constantly, because the dialogue, the strongest aspect of the play, is always in the speaker's point of view.
While reading Hamlet this time, I want to focus on the perspectives of all of the relevant characters. In Acts II and III, I really wanted to focus on Ophelia's perspective. What is she thinking and feeling, seeing a former lover and friend go completely bonkers (apparently)? One can only guess that she is experiencing a vast amount of confusion. On top of that, her brother and father assure her that Hamlet is only flirting, while everything Hamlet does points to the contrary. So she's being pulled in all these different directions.
I also tried to see things from Polonius' view. That was somewhat enlightening, because it gave a real emphasis on his relationship to Ophelia as a father. On the other hand, it's really hard to delve too deep into Polonius' character because, well, he's a pompous windbag.
During the end of the third act, I focused more on the perspective of the Queen, and what she must be thinking and feeling. The reader can gather that she lived in wilful ignorance of Claudius' misdeeds; even though she is innocent of the actual murder, Hamlet accuses her of murdering his father by giving her love to Hamlet I's murderer. That has to be hard to swallow for someone who probably isn't used to that kind of treatment from her children. And it is apparent that she genuinely loves Hamlet in the expression of her concern for him, although it is maybe not manifested in the best way.
That being said, I feel I have developed a deeper understanding of what Shakespeare wanted to accomplish with these disparate characters and their roles within the play.
Here is a link to a clip from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, essentially summarizing their view of Hamlet's situation: Click HERE
