Essay Questions

Why does Patrick Stewart play both King Hamlet's ghost and Claudius?

This choice of casting is an interesting one and is something that is not generally done in adaptations of Hamlet. The decision to have Patrick Stewart play both King Hamlet's ghost and Claudius might be a way to visually connect the two characters, as a reminder that Claudius has killed King Hamlet. Another reason for this choice might an attempt to make the audience see as Hamlet does, through the veil of madness. Indeed, there is a sense of confusion in the fact that Claudius and King Hamlet look exactly the same, which might reflect Hamlet's own uncertainty about his perceptions. Finally, the fact these characters are played by the same actor symbolizes the fact that Claudius has metaphorically become King Hamlet, by stealing his position and his wife.

What does the ghost represent in this film?

The ghost of Hamlet's father is a key symbol in the film, and is crucial in the plot, as he sets Hamlet off on his mission of revenge. Firstly, we might see the ghost as an embodiment of Hamlet's guilt for his father. Hamlet is clearly distraught over the death of his father and therefore continues to be haunted by his presence. This idea has led critics to argue that the ghost is a figment of Hamlet's imagination, and evidence of his madness. Although Hamlet does not appear to display clear symptoms of madness until later in the film, we might argue that this is where it began. This being said, other characters see the ghost, which might disprove this theory.