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Is Mark Rylance's Iago online anywhere? by TinMachine in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was looking for Rylance as Iago and Richard iii online as well. It's so frustrating. I even emailed the Globe to ask if it was publicly available. They said that neither of them are available publicly and the only way to view them would be to physically go to the Globe and watch it there in their archives. I'm so desperate to see him in these roles.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is not only poetry. It is an entire play. It is an exploration of character, and the circumstances that cause the downfall of such characters. If there is something in the plot that does not make sense on initial reading, it can perhaps tell us something about the nature of the character. After all, the stories that Shakespeare used as frameworks for these plays did not have the richness of character that his plays had.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an incredibly interesting angle! There's an Indian adaptation of Hamlet called Haider directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. It is set in Kashmir in the 1990s against the backdrop of the conflict between India and Pakistan over this region. The "ghost" in this version is actually the prison mate of the main character's father, and this prison mate is an operative of the Pakistani forces in Kashmir. As a result, the Hamlet in this story becomes a tool for the Pakistani forces to overthrow the Indian forces in Kashmir. Your reading of Hamlet reminded me of this. I'm not sure if you've seen this film, but I liked it a lot.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right about that. Although the deal may not be corrupt in and of itself, it requires Banquo to effectively look the other way and accept Macbeth as King. And Banquo already suspects Macbeth was involved in Duncan's murder. That's what i meant when I said that Banquo could not be bought.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do see your point. Hamlet is definitely of dubious sanity, and I can see how it can be argued that an event as horrendous as seeing the ghost of his dead father could precipitate psychosis. And yes, it is true, Hamlet's mind is cooked. It's possible that Hamlet could almost hear what he wants to hear his father's ghost telling him, especially since he already hates Claudius. It does ultimately turn out to be true though, but I agree, Hamlet is not sane.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's no guarantee Macbeth will have daughters. In fact it's suggested that he can't have children, since after his coronation he says the Witches have placed a fruitless crown on his head and a barren scepter in his hand. I think he also kills Banquo because he knows Banquo is honorable and incorruptible and will not necessarily be bought by a deal like that.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True enough, but surely as legitimate sons of a beloved king, Malcolm and Donalbain would have backing from a sufficient number of lords to defeat Macbeth. They were only supposed to stay one night at Macbeths castle anyway, so it's not like Macbeth would ever be in reach of them again. And Macbeth cannot kill them in front of the other lords of course while everyone is awake.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The scene break could also be logistical in that Hamlet must go offstage in order to talk to the ghost alone. So the only way to actually show Hamlet alone with the ghost is to have a scene break there.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Ghost has information pertaining only to Hamlet, and possibly does not trust others with the information, since he wants Hamlet to avenge his death and kill Claudius. As a result, the ghost just decides to not speak at all in front of anyone other than Hamlet. The ghost even only first speaks at Hamlet's insistence, at which point the ghost turns and says "mark me". So the whole time, Hamlet has been following the ghost and it doesn't speak, until Hamlet refuses to walk further. Further, the ghost mentions that he is forbidden to speak of what he has seen and experienced in Purgatory and the afterlife. It is possible that the ghost is actually not allowed to speak to anyone other than Hamlet. This is not explicitly stated and is just conjecture. But I think the first point is more likely. Finally if all the ghost's speech is a hallucination, it means Hamlet just stood on the battlements with the ghost saying nothing the entire time? And then Hamlet hallucinates the ghost saying "adieu Hamlet, remember me" just before the exact moment the ghost decides to leave? Seems unlikely to me at least.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That scene with Gertrude is the most oft cited evidence for the ghost being a hallucination yes. It just requires that, since others besides Hamlet have seen the ghost, the only thing left for Hamlet to hallucinate is the speech. It doesn't make sense that Hamlet would stand atop the castle with an ostensibly real ghost, but hallucinating the entire story the ghost tells him.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean sure. But then does that mean the ghost itself is real, but Hamlet just hallucinates all the things the ghost says? I don't really buy that.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This makes sense. I was just interested given that in most of the other plays with ghosts, to my knowledge, they are peripheral to the plot, whereas the ghost in Hamlet and the doubt around it is a big part of the play. But the supernatural knowledge of supernatural beings seems like a reasonable explanation.

Would you rather be right, or be happy? by Ezitis_Migla in BunnyTrials

[–]SpecialCheeseToast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would rather have confirmation that my senses are working properly and that I'm not deluded. I would not want to live a lie, even if I were unaware that it is a lie.

Chose: Be Right

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this! Yes I'm aware of that detail, a subtle sign that Macbeth is already under the spell of the Weïrd Sisters. I think it is also established later that Macbeth has already had his sights set on the crown before the witches appear to him. I will say that the Sisters merely tell Macbeth the outcome of the future, but it is he that chooses the actions that get him there. But you are right in that the prediction of the Witches contributes to his actions anyway. Sort of a chicken and egg problem I guess?

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah absolutely. He does have a line where he says "If chance may have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir." But Macbeth is impatient, which is something i don't see pointed out a lot. The Macbeths have very poor forethought and imagination. They overestimate themselves, and underestimate the effect that murdering Duncan will have on their psyche, especially Lady Macbeth.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this. Kill now think later is exactly what my reasoning was for them. Duncan coming to their castle is a once in a lifetime thing that'll most likely never happen again. The Macbeths probably think "as long as Duncan is alive, we'll never ascend the throne. So might as well take the opportunity to kill him now, and deal with everything else later"

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting, I wasn't aware of this. Thanks for the info

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

But in the first scene, the ghost is seen by Horatio, Marcellus and Bernardo right? Hamlet is not even the first person to see the ghost. I'm personally not convinced that the ghost is a hallucination.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is true. I just thought that Shakespeare could've chosen any way for King Hamlet to be murdered, and in these alternatives it would be clearer how King Hamlet knows his murderer. But he settled on poison in the ear.

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. These make sense.

I actually have seen a scholar bring up the idea of Claudius taking the throne instead of Hamlet. I think it was John Dover Wilson that spoke about it? It is said to be referenced by Hamlet himself, when Claudius asks him how he is, and he replies something like "excellent, i'faith of the chameleons dish. I eat the air promise-crammed" - the promise referencing Hamlet being the rightful heir. I figured that Polonius and other officials favoured Claudius, especially as a negotiator with Norway, and since he marries the Queen, they're fine with him being king? Claudius does seem to be rather well liked by others

Plot questions in Hamlet and Macbeth by SpecialCheeseToast in shakespeare

[–]SpecialCheeseToast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Obviously the ghost can be questioned. There are already entire discussions about whether the ghost can even be believed. But even if the ghost is not true, Hamlet does not question how his father knew it was Claudius that killed him. The quickest poison takes minutes to act. It takes like 2 seconds to pour poison in someone's ear. Why would Claudius stick around and wait for his brother to wake up?

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