Recently in the mail, I received a copy of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as interpreted on film by Kenneth Branagh. Somehow I had missed this version back when it came out in 1996, and my husband ordered the Blu-ray release because he knows that I like “those kind of films.” And I do love the classics, but I have to admit that I was intimidated. The film encompasses the entire play and runs at over four hours long… not the type of movie one just plunks in during the evening for mind numbing entertainment. No, on the contrary, Shakespeare is full of intricate language and compelling themes, and this movie is an epic fare that deserves my full attention. I considered watching it on numerous nights, and then I finally buckled myself in for the bumpy ride.
Â
About twenty minutes later, I found myself well on my way toward total immersion into the Bard’s world. I began translating the knoweths and doeths with greater ease, and Hamlet’s circumstances lured me into a convoluted world of tragedy and despair. There is something wholly gripping about this tale of murderous plots and manufactured madness, and this version is set in a visually stunning location, a stark contrast of beauty and despondency.
Â
While I’ve read and seen versions of Hamlet many times, I am always struck by the story in different ways. Upon this viewing, I contemplated the idea of internal corruption quite a bit.  Although Abraham Lincoln often gets the credit, Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand,” in Matthew 12:25. Nowhere in fiction is this truth played out with more precision and utterly “grave” consequences. Thoughout the monarchy, corruption spreads like a disease from the top, down through its limbs and branches. (Spoiler alert:) By the end of the tragedy, the cast of characters is literally lining the castle hall, their divisions and manipulations causing them to implode like a child’s block tower. When the neighboring country arrived to conquer Elsinore and its inhabitants, they discovered they could simply move in and occupy and already conquered kingdom.
Â
Spiritually speaking, I find this theme to be one of the most difficult to navigate. As a Christian, I find I can only have one true focus, that being Jesus. When my flesh desires other things or my thoughts lose that focus, I find that I become double minded and my spirtual house begins to divide against itself. I must be disciplined to take my thoughts captive and to think on things which are honorable, pure, just, and lovely. Otherwise, I will become susceptible to internal corruption, false ideologies, false doctrines, or addictive habbits that will seize the opportunity to slide right in and take over an “imploded kingdom.”
If you consider Shakespeare to be a bit inaccesible or obscure, I would definetely suggest giving Hamlet a try. You’ll be surprised at how a play written about 400 years ago could be so relevant and captivating today. Or you may just want to watch it for the costumes, cinematography and star studded cast. I especially enjoyed seeing Kate Winslet, as Ophelia, descending into an abyss of insanity. There were also a couple special features with interviews from cast members, as well as a commentary by Mr. Branagh himself.
May 23rd, 2012 at 4:16 pm
A stunning and insightful review that really makes the reader ponder whether one will go along the deceitful side of life or the spiritual one. Well thought out and well written.