The Shakespeare's a Lie

On the first day of my Senior year, I had English class. Naturally, I learned about Shakespeare. And what I learned about Shakespeare was that Shakespeare ever existed. The man who wrote all of those famous plays and poems existed, obviously, sure, but he wasn't the person we think we know him to be.

(Not him)

Behold, I reveal the truth!

...

Actually, I'm not going to. I don't care that much that "Shakespeare" was a pen name. If you do, then I'll be content with the fact that I just gave you something to look up.

What I'm REALLY excited to talk about is Hamlet. Yes, that's right, Hamlet. But not just any Hamlet. The 2009 production of Hamlet. The version of Hamlet where David Tennant plays Hamlet.

"Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me. You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass; and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ, yet cannot you make it speak. 'Sblood, do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me. "

Now this may be because I'm extremely unfamiliar with actors, but I cannot think of a better person to play Hamlet than David Tennant. The energy he puts into it is clear throughout the entire three hour long play. In fact, the entire cast was wonderful. I was a bit skeptical at first about the modernization of this film, but I'm incredibly happy with the way everything was set up. It all ended up working nicely.

"I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams. " The T-Shirt and jeans are to make sure I can be comfortable in the nutshell. At least I'll be able to look cool in my nightmares.

I'm still trying to figure out some of the extra symbolism in various things the director decided to put in the movie, though. Some bits of scenes throughout the film are shown as if through a video camera. I have no idea what that's supposed to symbolize, but seeing the film was made by a bunch of Shakespeare fanatics, I'm sure there's some kind of meaning. I'm pretty sure the barefoot thing has to do with Hamlet's insanity. Or perhaps some kind of lacking in defenses. After he first sees the ghost of his father, he doesn't wear shoes unless he's outside. Even at at the play, while everyone was in formal dress (even he, himself, was wearing a tux) failed to put on even socks. Ophelia, when she loses it, also has no shoes on.

Crazy people like to feel the wind between their toes.

It probably helps that I like the story of Hamlet already. My interest in this movie might also come from the fact that David Tennant plays as The Doctor in Doctor Who for three seasons. It might just have to do with this scene:



Or perhaps this one:



I have to say, though, that the ending was extremely anti-climactic. After watching the same movie for hours, I expected more. Honestly? The death of the King? Lame. Lame, lame, lame. Basically, Hamlet DEMANDS the king drink the poison that killed his mother. And the king does a partial shrug, makes a "eh, whatever" face and does it without a fuss. And then everyone else dies... which is weird because the scene failed to give me the impression that everyone was mortally wounded. Three hours of watching everything play out and after a few brief minutes, before I even understood what was happening, the room was full of dead people.

Overall, I'm thrilled. Because you know that in English class, when we talk about this book, I'm going to think of David Tennant. And I'm going to giggle like a little fangirl.

How's that for nerdy?

"That is the question."