Henry V, like many of Shakespeare’s other plays, has been assimilated into popular culture in several ways-- with multiple film adaptations, parodies, and references in contemporary literature. Laurence Olivier’s film and Thea Sharrock’s installment in the Hollow Crown series are two such adaptations of Henry V. Despite the many differences between these two variations, the largest difference is in the presentation of the prologue. The contrast in light and dark imagery between the two films-- as well as the manner in which the Chorus is utilized by each director-- sets the tone for the remainder of the play.
Sharrock’s prologue works to establish a melancholy atmosphere by opening with the funeral of Henry V. The imagery of the funeral
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The speech itself is arranged to include only the lines requesting the audience to utilize their imagination and questioning whether the area shown can hold the story. However, the lines apologizing for the constraints of the stage-- “But, pardon, gentles all/, That flat unraised spirits have dared/ on this unworthy scaffold to bring forth/ so great an object” (Act 1, Prologue, 8-10) are omitted. Without this apology in place, the meaning of the speech is altered. Perhaps, in this context, the request for the audience to utilize their imagination serves to direct the audience to imagine themselves a part of the story, and thus a part of history. This idea is furthered by the fact that the speech is arranged to end with “Admit me chorus to this history” (Act 1, prologue, 32), personalizing the speech-- as if the audience will be bearing witness to the deeds performed-- and adding a disclaimer to the narrative as it is not a first person telling of the story. This is significant as it reinforces the concept of history and sets the stage for it to be a biography of Henry’s life-- especially as the Chorus’ speech overlaps Henry’s funeral service serving as a eulogy. The tone of voice used as well as the pitch of the background music also adds to the grave atmosphere-- the sombre tone is used when referring to the battle at Agincourt as well, foreshadowing the fact that this version will not shy away from the reality of war. Thus, the use of the Chorus-- in addition to the as a eulogy during the funeral scene enhances the melancholy atmosphere while simultaneously indicates the purpose of this film to be a reflective tale of Henry’s life and
In the poem “Unveiling” by Linda Pastan, the speaker's point of view is from an older woman who is walking through a cemetery and admiring her deceased family members. Pastan uses allusion, enjambment and imagery to display to the reader what the speaker is feeling and thinking, as she explores her family members’ graves.
The funeral was supposed to be a family affair. She had not wanted to invite so many people, most of them strangers to her, to be there at the moment she said goodbye. Yet, she was not the only person who had a right to his last moments above the earth, it seemed. Everyone, from the family who knew nothing of the anguish he had suffered in his last years, to the colleagues who saw him every day but hadn’t actually seen him, to the long-lost friends and passing acquaintances who were surprised to find that he was married, let alone dead, wanted to have a last chance to gaze upon him in his open coffin and say goodbye.
Henry IV is a play that concerns itself with political power and kingship in English history. References to kingship are prevalent throughout the play, especially in the depiction of the characters. Although most of the characters in this play could teach us about kingship, I would like to focus my attention to Prince Henry. I think that this character helps us to best understand what kingship meant at this particular time in history.
Kenneth Branagh creates his own individualistic adaptation of this classic through the use of visual imagery, characterization, and setting. Branagh cut many lines and speeches from the text to better support his interpretation of a more open and informal society of warm-hearted, affectionate characters. Though Shakespeare's mood is more formal, Branagh remains true to the essence of the play as all of the same characters and most of the dialogue are justly included in the film. Although distinct differences can be made between Branagh’s film and Shakespeare’s written work, they both share a common denominator of good old-fashioned entertainment; and in the world of theater, nothing else really matters.
passed away” holds a significantly sombre and melancholy tone. This is juxtaposed to the living
Different adaptations of William Shakespeare’s works have taken various forms. Through the creative license that artists, directors, and actors take, diverse incarnations of his classic works continue to arise. Gregory Doran’s Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet bring William Shakespeare’s work by the same title to the screen. These two film adaptations take different approaches in presenting the turmoil of Hamlet. From the diverging takes on atmosphere to the characterization of the characters themselves, the many possible readings of Hamlet create the ability for the modification of the presentation and the meaning of the play itself. Doran presents David Tenant as Hamlet in a dark, eerie, and minimal setting; his direction highlighting the
‘Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more’, one of the most celebrated openings to, arguably, the most famous passage within the entire Henry V Shakespeare play. Through this opening we can tell that Henry is a character of perseverance and fortitude as he drives his troops into war. Shakespeare’s presentation of Henry is without doubt one of a hero and protagonist as he is presented as a man with a degree of intelligence and allure with motives that are not focused on a lust for power, like most kings, but to his obligations and responsibilities as an exalted rank. It is also apparent from Henry’s unquestionably rousing speeches that Shakespeare intends for us to view Henry as a hero, or, at the very least, as an estimable king.
King Henry stumbles onto the battlefield and hides behind a tree, just in time to grab a front row seat to the metaphorical birth of King Richard. This scene draws a comparison between the gentle King Henry and the monstrous, merciless ruler Richard is on his way to becoming. It was with a look of almost childlike wonder that Richard rallied behind his father, and with a look of absolute horror as he hid, much like Henry in this scene, and witnessed the murder of his brother. King Henry as witness to the fight between Richard and Clifford serves to highlight Richard’s development as a character as well as Henry’s ruin.
Although Branagh’s version of Hamlet parallelizes to Shakespeare’s masterwork, mainly by keeping the text very similar, it almost retrieves the importance of the original work by the shift in eras as well as the addition of modernized extras. Zifferelli is able to show his audience a whole new dynamic of interpreting a classic masterpiece. By focusing on casting popular actors and including extras that are appealing to viewers currently, but not overwhelming, he is able to reach out a larger array of fans and critics without taking attention away from the main focus; the storyline. The battle between staying true to the original work and altering a classic masterpiece to appeal to audiences today is a continuous dilemma which many filmmakers are destined to face when attempting to remake timeless work such as that of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
While reviewing "The Funeral" the first thing that became apparent was the title. A funeral is ceremony held in connection with the burial of a dead person. So already just by looking at the title we become aware that we are dealing with a dead body. Death, in some cultures, is the separation of the body from the soul. The soul continues to live and may even find shelter in another body.
Cohen, Walter, J.E. Howard, K. Eisaman Maus. The Norton Shakespeare. Vol. 2 Stephen Greenblatt, General Editor. New York, London. 2008. ISBN 978-0-393-92991-1
Most people dismiss anything having to do with death out of fear. The uncertainty some associate with death has caused Funeral Service to be a particularly taboo subject in society. One may assume funeral directors are the sketchy personalities enthralled with death, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Over the years, Funeral Service has progressed and become a larger industry. Funeral Service has changed in its history over time, affecting the education required, and the job they do today.
This play shows the importance of the staging, gestures, and props making the atmosphere of a play. Without the development of these things through directions from the author, the whole point of the play will be missed. The dialog in this play only complements the unspoken. Words definitely do not tell the whole story.
The play by Shakespeare and the film directed by Orson Welles (1948) have many similarities, but Welles finds differing points of interest in some of the scenes in the play. Welles’ utilizes elements from Shakespeare’s
In Henry V, Shakespeare uses the English Hierarchy to shine light on the juxtaposition between the upper and lower classes through the use of the Chain of Being, the stereotypical relationships between yeoman and nobles and