Hamlet, Part 4: Comparing and Contrasting Interpretations

In a well-known adaptation of Hamlet, one actor plays both Hamlet and the ghost. What is the effect of this adaptation?

It establishes Hamlet's madness and that the ghost is not a figment of his imagination.
It emphasizes the idea that the ghost is not real, but rather imagined by Hamlet.
It complicates the plot and makes it more difficult for a modern audience to understand it.

It simplifies the plot of the play and makes it easier for a modern audience to understand it.

Based on this section of the soliloquy, which best describes Hamlet's view of death?

He is confident that things will be better after death.
He is uncertain about what will happen in the afterlife.
He believes that death is like taking a very long nap.
He believes that his soul is lost if he kills himself.

What does Hamlet mean by "shuffled off this mortal coil"?

dying
living
dreaming
sleeping

What does Hamlet mean when he refers to the "pangs of dispriz'd love"?

courtship
romance
passion
heartache

What effect do these images have on Olivier's adaptation of Hamlet?

They show that Olivier's Hamlet is very angry and forceful.

They show that Olivier's Hamlet is very thoughtful and analytical.
They show that Olivier's Hamlet is very sorrowful and pained.
They show that Olivier's Hamlet is very funny and comedic.

A performance of a play with changes in important elements, such as scenery, language, and ethnicity of characters, is called an .

What does this part of the soliloquy reveal about Hamlet?

He still loves Ophelia.
He believes the ghost was real.
He is planning his revenge.
He is contemplating suicide.

How do the actors' physical appearances affect their adaptations of Hamlet?

Both actors appear to be well-groomed, which emphasizes the idea that Hamlet has not fallen into madness.
Both actors appear disheveled, which emphasizes the idea that Hamlet has fallen into madness.
Price appears well-groomed, which emphasizes the idea that Hamlet is rational, while Olivier is disheveled, which emphasizes the idea that Hamlet is irrational.
Price appears disheveled, which emphasizes the idea that Hamlet is irrational, while Olivier is well-groomed, which emphasizes the idea that he is rational.

Which words does Hamlet use to describe the afterlife?

a weary life
undiscover'd country
puzzles the will
those ills we have

How does an adaptation where the ghost and Hamlet are played by the same actor differ from an adaptation where the ghost and Hamlet are played by two separate actors?

By having the same actor play both parts, the existence of the ghost is proven and Hamlet's madness is confirmed.
By having the same actor play both parts, the need for vengeance is emphasized and Hamlet's lack of madness is confirmed.
By having the same actor play both parts, the two characters are separated and Hamlet's lack of madness is confirmed.
By having the same actor play both parts, the two characters become one and Hamlet's madness is confirmed.