Your Thoughts on Performing Hamlet

[Nirome]

Hamlet: My lord, you played once i’ th’ university, you say?
Polonius: That I did, my lord, and was accounted a good actor.
Hamlet: What did you enact?
Polonius: I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i' th’
Capital. Brutus killed me.
Hamlet: It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. (3.2.100-108)

Obviously, Shakespeare's plays are interesting to read, but we often forget that they were written primarily for entertainment. If you have ever performed a scene from Hamlet, I would appreciate reading your comments about this experience. Here a few questions you may wish to consider in preparing your response. :confused:

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

[Rinas_Jaded]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?

Gertrude, Act 5, Scene II, Lines 230-305

2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?

She is really oblivious to what goes on. it is really a surprise to me.

3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?

Well I suppose you could always tell me Mr. R

4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

I haven’t yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I would probably not worn those shoes. Super uncomfortable.

[Zirkle2007]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
Act V Scene 2 (Part 2)
King Claudius
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
I think by acting just this small part, I learned how twisted Claudius really was.
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
I think they probably thought it was pretty cool, but humorous, since I was acting it
out as Darth Vader.
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?
I haven't had the chance yet, but will reply to this when I can.

[Ashley Hallford]

1) I played King Claudius, or the "Captain" in our pirate rendition of Hamlet. We reenacted Act 3, Scene 3.
2) From having to perform as Claudius, I realized that I kind of had to read behind the lines, so to speak, to gain a better understanding of his selfish, conflicted, and highly pompous character. As you can see, I gathered a lot about the true character of Claudius by doing so.
3) I believe that the audience reacted well to our performance- I guess we didn't do horribly, because no one "booed" or threw anything at us. In the end, I just hope the audience was entertained.
4) I haven't seen the video, of course, but I think I did pretty well overall. (I was extremely happy that I didn't have to look at my cue cards.) The only thing I wish I would have done was to maybe have concealed my hair more to look more like a male.

[zmichael47348]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?

Act III, Scene 3, Hamlet.

2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?

It made it clear that Hamlet was a very big thinker. His revenge plan was very well thought out. It also made me realize that Hamlet wasn't crazy and that he had a very good reason for the things he did. In addition, Hamlet can be a very serious person when he wants to be.

3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?

While not as funny or action-packed as the other performances, I believe our performance made the audience think about Hamlet's thoughtful behavior. It makes people understand that Hamlet was a big thinker and that he rarely did anything without thinking it through first.

4. a. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience?

The practice and the dressing up prior to the performance.

b. Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

Practiced a lot more and made sure I had my lines down.

[Wallflower01]

1. Guildenstern- Act III Scene iii Lines 1-101

2. I found Guildenstern to be a rather flat and obivious character. He not very intelligent that the other characters (claudius, gertrude, hamlet ect.), only put put with Guildenstern because they hope to use him to their own means. He is not well liked only tolerated, most because his loyalty is up for sale, and is auctioned off to the highest bidder (claudius). He has no morals and only cares for money. He is an expendable character, that at his death, no one morns.

3. The audience did not seem to get the jokes that we put into our performance, the subtle nuiances went unnoticed, but this seems to be the case in most performances.

4. As I have not had to opportunity to see an actually film of my performance, I do not believe I can fully answer this question.

[Hyatt07]

I played Hamlet in the graveyard scene. It was a blast because we did it Star Wars style. It was definitely an experience. I don't quite know if the audience was pleased, but I hope we were up to expectations.

[Madkins]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
Act 3 Scene 1 - Polonius
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
I didn't realize Polonius was as sneaky and conniving as he was and the fact that it appears he has no care for anyone other than himself and his ambitions.
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
Due to Derrek's awesome gangster performance...hopefully the audience enjoyed it as much as it sounded like they did.

[PolarTucan]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
I was the doctor. Granted I only had two lines, but next time I get to be Hamlet himself
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
I think it really helped t understand the text by rewriting the lines because we obviously had to know what the lines meant and understand their context before we could put the star wars twist on the lines.
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
I think the audience enjoyed our performance, they laughed.
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance? I havent seen it yet, but I guess it was kinda hard to hear vader on account of the mask. blah. but that couldn't be helped. *shrugs*

[HeatherBug]

1. Rosencrantz- Act III Scene iii LInes 1-101

2. Rosencrantz is really dense, and is no true friend.

3. I think that they all liked it and thought we were clever.

4. I would of studied my lines better and tried harder to memorize them, I think the best part was my facial expressions!

[srhoton]

1. King- Act III scene i lines 31-200

2. I found that the King was extremely important and influenced many of the actions that the other characters in the play made.

3. I think the audience found our play to be humorous.

4. I am unable to answer this question because I have not yet seen the video.

[Layka]

1.) Act 3, Scene 1, Ophelia.
2.) Of course Ophelia was troubled by the way Hamlet had acted, but she did agree unwillingfully to decieve Hamlet.
3.) I thought that they had a good time watching the play. They laughed a lot which told us we did a good job.
4.) I have not had that opportunity yet, but I have seen pictures. I would have made my butt a little more rounded.

[Cordell Walker]

In our interpretation of Hamlet, I played Laertes. While it was not as exciting as my role in Delta Force 2 or The President's Man, it was an interesting experience. Laertes was portrayed as a Sith Lord as our scene was Star Wars based. I feel that while Laertes is not evil in the play, this role fits his character well. He is out for revenge and has allowed hate to consume his soul. This all comes out in a fierce duel with hamlet over the grave. I think it turned out very well and I also believe that the other groups also did a great job.

[drlex]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?

Act III, Scene1, Hamlet.

2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?

When I did the rendition to Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy, I understood more of what was going through his head. He really had thoughts of suicide and what the advantages would be to kill himself. Then when he has the conversation with Ophelia, it really helped me see what his feelings really were towards her.

3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?

While we were performing I heard the audience laughing, which means that they hopefully enjoyed it. Afterwards, I had several people come up and say that they loved it. Plus me being gangster is quite humorous.

4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience?

Due to me being absent on Friday, I haven't had the opportunity to see the performances. Although, I can say performing is a lot more fun than just reading. I liked dressing up and making different renditions of it.

Is there anything that I would have done differently?

I would attempt to learn my lines better. Add some more actions to it.

[Andrea2007]

Hamlet: My lord, you played once i’ th’ university, you say?
Polonius: That I did, my lord, and was accounted a good actor.
Hamlet: What did you enact?
Polonius: I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i' th’
Capital. Brutus killed me.
Hamlet: It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. (3.2.100-108)

Obviously, Shakespeare's plays are interesting to read, but we often forget that they were written primarily for entertainment. If you have ever performed a scene from Hamlet, I would appreciate reading your comments about this experience. Here a few questions you may wish to consider in preparing your response. :confused:

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

I played Horatio in Act V, Scene II. In the part of the play, Ophelia is being buried and Hamlet has just found out that she is dead. Just by reading Horatio's one line, it's hard to tell what is going on with his character. After acting it out, I had a much better feeling for what was going on. Being Hamlet's best friend, Horatio was there for him through this rough time. Horatio was worried about Hamlet and concerned about what might happen to him. Horatio has to take orders from the King, but doesn't really care for him. At the end of the scene, Claudius asks Horatio to look after Hamlet. He doesn't go just because he is told to, but because he genuinly cares about his friend.

[Andrea2007]

Hamlet: My lord, you played once i’ th’ university, you say?
Polonius: That I did, my lord, and was accounted a good actor.
Hamlet: What did you enact?
Polonius: I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i' th’
Capital. Brutus killed me.
Hamlet: It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. (3.2.100-108)

Obviously, Shakespeare's plays are interesting to read, but we often forget that they were written primarily for entertainment. If you have ever performed a scene from Hamlet, I would appreciate reading your comments about this experience. Here a few questions you may wish to consider in preparing your response. :confused:

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

After watching our skit, I think the audience had a better idea of what was going on at that time in the play. The class enjoyed watching and we enjoying performing it. I am anxious to see the tape. I'm sure it will help me decide what I need to do for our next performance.

[zmichael47348]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?

Act V, Scene 1, Gravedigger

2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?

The gravedigger, although Shakespeare made him appear as a person of lower class and lower intelligence, was actually very smart. His hidden jokes were very well spoken and he really made Hamlet think about what he said. Although Hamlet obviously thought the gravedigger was strange, he was a very normal person.

3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?

The audience found our play mildly funny. It was interesting and humorous, which kept their attention.

4a. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience?

Performing the part as a hillbilly and telling the jokes in a hillbilly manner was probably the best thing about this part. It was incredibly funny.

4b. Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

I would have practiced the lines just a little bit more and work more with my group to make the performance as real and believable as possible.

[Rinas_Jaded]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
I played the charater Charater Osric as Jar Jar Binks In Starwars. It was for Act V, Scene II, Lines 239-398.

2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
He is really unintelligent and a suck up.

3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
Well they were supposed to laugh I hope they did a little.

4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?
Not yet or ever, because we didn't get ours filmed. A better costume.

[PolarTucan]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?

Hamlet yo. The very end where everyone dies. hehehe

2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
I got a lot better understanding of the meaning behind the lines when we had to translate it and what not. I didn't get it at first when they Laertes and Hamlet forgave one another but after doing it I got that it was so they wouldn't go to hell and whatnot.

3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
I think the audience like it. Everyone laughed when JarJar we running around like a silly-head looking for the goblet and that was good because that character was intended to bring comic relief.


4a. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience?

Have yet to see it, the camera died before our scene.

4b. Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance? I would have gotten our group together and rehearsed more. Some of our members didn't know there lines which messed up others because they were counting on a cue line for their line. etc.

[Wallflower01]

1. What role did you play ( Act, Scene Character)?
Act III Scene iv, Poloius
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
I found Polonius to be a social climbing, clinging-on suck up, who never stands up for himselve. It is his quest for greatness, and a high position that ultimately leads to his death.For if Polonius was not spying for the king, Hamlet never would have had the opportunity to kill him.
3. What wasthe audience's reaction to you performance?
I believe that the audience's reaction to the group's performance as a whole was that they enjoyed. We hada few good zingers thrown in, that they caught on to.
4. Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?
I would have brought a note card on stage. While I did know my lines,I froze when I got on stage, and all my line flew out of my head.

[Ashley Hallford]

1) I played Hamlet in Act III, Scene IV and lines 1-221 of Hamlet.

2) From "stepping into the character" of Hamlet, I was able to better understand his frustrations and anger with his mother and his whole disastrous family situation. I enjoyed being able to portray a child, albeit a boy, who is mad at his mother. From the scene, I also was able to pick up on some of the deeper meanings, like the mentioning of really seeing one's inner self with the synecdoche of a mirror.

3) I think the audience responded well to our performance. The crowd laughed at our strewn moments of comedy, but also during the death scene, strangely and ironically. I hope everyone enjoyed it most of all.

4) I haven't seen the tape yet, but I especially look forward to seeing if I could pull off the male sex, and if the "kiss" Sarah and I shared looked realistic. And if I had another chance, I probably would have tried to better conceal my hair a bit more to look more like a boy. I also would have practiced more with the group; however, I do feel we did a good job.

[HeatherBug]

1. Act V Scene I (1st half) Lines 1-223. I played Hamlet.
2. Hamlet was a really disturbed person during this part in the play.
3. I think they thought that the "hillbilly" part was better. They laughed a lot.
4. I think I would have not had my back to the audience as much. I really did enjoy preforming though.

[htownsend]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?


Uno. Act three, scene four, the ghost.
Dos. My character was kind of transparent (okay, slight pun intended....) but in the scene overall, I think Hamlet and Gertrude's relationship became more real to me. The complexity of it could be hard to understand by just reading it on paper, but seeing it in action really helps.
Tres. I have to admit I was not quite as noticed as Sarah's Gertrude or Ashley's portrayal of Hamlet. I was certainly a supporting actor, which is fine. As the West Wing Performance overall, I think it was really well recieved, and enjoyed.
Cuatro. I haven't had a chance to see the West Wing performance yet. But, I enjoyed doing it. I wish we could have even more time to work on it, but I think it went really well.

[srhoton]

1. Act 3, Scene 5, Queen
2. From performing this play, I have learned that the Queen tried to act as the peace maker. Performing this helped me better understand the play and gain different views on it.
3. I feel that the audience found our play to be funny and clever.
4. I am unable to answer this question because I have not yet seen the video.

[htownsend]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?


Ooooone. act3.scene3.polonius.
Twooooo. polonius is.... a pompous windbag, in my opinion. however, he didnt have a huge part when i played him. i thought ashleys King was really good- i enjoyed how much the pirate theme really seemed to work there....
Threeeee. arrrrrgh, i think they enjoyed it.
Fooooour. I really enjoyed Ash's part. She was hiiiiighly entertaining. I think we did really well for the time given =)

[Layka]

Hamlet: My lord, you played once i’ th’ university, you say?
Polonius: That I did, my lord, and was accounted a good actor.
Hamlet: What did you enact?
Polonius: I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i' th’
Capital. Brutus killed me.
Hamlet: It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. (3.2.100-108)

Obviously, Shakespeare's plays are interesting to read, but we often forget that they were written primarily for entertainment. If you have ever performed a scene from Hamlet, I would appreciate reading your comments about this experience. Here a few questions you may wish to consider in preparing your response. :confused:

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?


1. Horatio, Act 5, Scene 1
2. I think that Horatio was Hamlet's true sworn protector and was not afraid to disagree, but did not often.
3. I think they liked the Hillbilly roles in our play. They seemed to laugh at their lovely accents.
4. I saw the first play, and I loved my own butt! I know I should have moved around more in the second play.

[drlex]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?

Act 3, Scene 5; Laertes

2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?

I understood how serious the scene was from our American Idol rendition. Plus, you know how Ophelia really feels when you put common items that we use today instead of flowers. Putting it in a newer version made it fun and easier to understand.

3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?

I think that the audience enjoyed it. They participated from the opening theme song and laughed a lot.

4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience?

I have not yet had the chance to view the performance. I enjoyed putting it into a newer version and condensing the lines. I liked playing Simon in our rendition.

Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

I think that the only thing that I would have done differently is getting the British accent down better.

[Zirkle2007]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?

Act 5 Scene II - King Cladius

2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?

I better understood the situation, the treachery, and a lot more about how Cladius probably felt up to the last moment.

3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?

I think they really liked it and understood the scene a little better.

4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

Our performance didn't get recorded.

[Hyatt07]

This time around I played Horatio in the very last scene of the play. I once again enjoyed myself simply because I didn't have to do much. Horatio in this play was supposed to portray Han Solo. I really don't know if I quite captured both characters, but I gave it my best shot. I think the audience enjoyed it, but if not I really don't care. If I were to do it again I don't think I could have done anything different. Horatio in this scene doesn't really have much to work with if you know what I mean.

[Madkins]

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
I played none other than Randy Jackson (King Claudius) himself in Act 3 Scene 5
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
I guess I didn't realize how much Laertes blamed the king. I agree with Derek, the seriousness of Ophelia's "madness" was put in a modern prospective and seeing it as such, it gave more of an insight to her and her problems.
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
Hopefully they enjoyed it, there was some laughter so I take that as it being funny.
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?
I haven't had the opportunity to see the video but I really enjoyed overkilling the word "dog". Regardless of seeing the video or not, I wish I would have learned my lines a little better, I kind of froze up when I actually had to get up on stage, but hopefully it wasn't too bad.

[Andrea2007]

Hamlet: My lord, you played once i’ th’ university, you say?
Polonius: That I did, my lord, and was accounted a good actor.
Hamlet: What did you enact?
Polonius: I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i' th’
Capital. Brutus killed me.
Hamlet: It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf there. (3.2.100-108)

Obviously, Shakespeare's plays are interesting to read, but we often forget that they were written primarily for entertainment. If you have ever performed a scene from Hamlet, I would appreciate reading your comments about this experience. Here a few questions you may wish to consider in preparing your response. :confused:

1. What role did you play (Act, Scene, Character)?
2. What understanding of the character and scene did you gain by performing that you could not have gotten simply by reading the play?
3. What was the audience's reaction to your performance?
4. If you have had the opportunity to watch a tape of your performance, what did you most enjoy about the experience? Was there anything you would have done differently if given another chance?

I played Queen Gertrude in Act V Scene II Lines 239-398. From performing this scene, I understood Gertrude a little better. She honestly did care about Hamlet, and supported him throughout the fight with Laertes at the end of the play. She was proud of her son and shown more affection toward him. She offered him a drink and wiped his face when he looked tired. Then she claimed she would drink to his victory. After drinking the wine that had been poisoned, she started dying. I believe it is then that she truly understands what the King is really like. She is sorry for what she has done, but it is too late. It is then that Gertrude and Hamlet come to terms with each other. Our audience was pretty pleased with our performance, we received a few compliments. I can't wait to see the tape of our performance, I am sure it will be interesting.

[Cordell Walker]

Round two of our Hamlet performances reminded me of my fourth World Karate Championship match. Pretty much everyone around me died. This scene was by far the most intense, and contained the most hard hitting action of the entire play. Hamlet finally gets his revenge upon The King and makes up with Laertes over that whole Polonius murder business. Overall it turned out great, it may have been smoother with another day or two of practice and a few more reps. on the Total Gym, but thats in the past. Actually playing Laertes allowed me to get the feel for the emotional impact of everything that went on, and portray that on stage. The concept of loss is still alittle stange to me, as I have always been there just in the nick of time to save those important to me. But then again I am Chuck Norris.

[HomeSkillet]

For my English class a group of friends and I preformed (3.4.1-221). This happened to be the scene that involved Hamlet and his mother having an argument about her horrible deeds. My group made the scene into a West Wing/Soap Opera theme. We played presidential figures…the First Lady-Gertrude, her son-Hamlet, a spy-Polonius, and the ghost. I played the part of Gertrude.
When playing the role, I grasped a better concept of the emotions the Queen was coping with. She cared deeply for Hamlet and his father, but did not see anything wrong with marrying Claudius…until she was confronted by Hamlet. Gertrude saw that she needed to change her promiscuous ways and see Claudius’s true and selfish inner-part. The scene seemed much more powerful and dramatic when acted out. It was also nice to see the scene visually.
Our group goal for the scene was to make it overly dramatic. The scene was acted out only by girls, so many of us had to play male roles. This added to the comedic impact. We used lots of play on words that added some fun to it (my favorite - my lips and hips are sealed). My class responded well to our act and I think everyone had a good time. I haven’t had a chance to watch my group’s performance yet, but I was told that it was great and hopefully it was!

[HomeSkillet]

I also had the opportunity to perform (3.5.103-207). This is the scene that involves Ophelia and her madness. She hands out flowers of meaning to other characters, and (this is the best part) she sings! So what better theme to chose than …American Idol! I played Ophelia-the contestant. The other characters included Laertes-Simon, Queen-Paula, King-Randy, and messenger- Ryan Seacrest.
When acting this scene out I better understood the meaning of the flowers that Ophelia gives out. I had the interesting task of acting “mad” while singing and being serious at the same time. It was a lot of fun and created a very interesting way to express the scene.
The class responded great. I really think that they enjoyed my performance. I haven’t gotten the chance to watch the performance yet, but I have a feeling that it will be both interesting and entertaining.

[MVMSdramageek]

1 I have played the player king. the scene where hamlet is trying to show his step-father that he knows that he killed his real father. 2 Yes but I had to have the director help me some. 3 they thought I was wonderful. 4 yes I would have acted more dramaticaly and layghed less.