Our thematic questions deal with Appearance vs. Reality, which we interpreted as "one thing representing another", giving the need to look past the surface and find the deeper truth. One question is, in the film adaptations, how is Hamlet misinterpreted by society, and how do the consequences arising from that differ from each other? The classical and modern film adaptations differ from each other through their portrayals of Hamlet due to different social and environmental factors. In the classical version, Hamlet is classified as “madly in love” by Polonius and insane/psychotic by Claudius; however, the audience is aware that this is all a facade for Hamlet because he presents critical analysis and clear thinking during his “To be or not to be” speech. We think that because no one truly understands what Hamlet is plotting, they fail to properly act against him until it is too late. In the modern retelling, Hamlet is treated more like a normal, albeit depressed, individual- while on the inside, he is actually going a bit insane. His “madness” is seen through his constant videotaping and repeated watching of his monologues as if to brainwash himself into believing that he is legitimately crazy. Since no one is aware of this fact, Hamlet is left more alone and unstable in the modern adaptation than in the classical, where other characters actively worry over him. For a character like Hamlet, the misinterpretations by other characters actually save him because he is not deemed an absolute threat for a while. The benefit of the doubt allows him the chance to achieve his goals without incredible interference. We wonder, can misinterpretation be viewed as a necessary evil? Does it have an encouraged place in society (is ignorance of the truth/reality accepted)? Or is it something so volatile, steps should be taken to root it out and abolish it?
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