This is important in the staging as it is when we, the audience, and the Court first see Claudius as King. The staging of this opening court scene is instrumental in revealing the relationships between the characters in Hamlet.
Edward Bennett (Laertes), and Mariah Gale (Ophelia) decided that the words of advice Polonius gives are so familiar that the children know what’s coming. Watch the scene and compare it to how you felt about the characters.
Watch The Player’s speech immediately followed by Hamlet’s attempt to kill Claudius. What are the similarities? How important is it to look at these two speeches together?
In Greg Doran's rehearsals, the actors decided that Osric is a 'political flunkie.' Ryan Gage's character is incredibly detailed - Does the audience see the this?
How did the choices the actors made differ from the choices of the group? What movements were the most effective and why? What was more significant gesture or looks?
To complement the film, WNET.ORG, in partnership with the RSC, is offering a Teachers' Guide for educators to utilize the PBS broadcast in classrooms around the country.
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