Essay Questions

Who is John Barrymore and why is he in this play?

John Barrymore is one of the greatest American stage actors. He was born in 1882 and died in 1942. In this play he is a ghost who is haunting Andrew in order to convince him to play the title character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Barrymore played Hamlet as well as Richard III in acclaimed performances in his career. His appearance in the play has to do with an actor's need to be great and their wantingness to play the great parts in order to become part of the legacy of great actors that have become them upon the stage. Barrymore is an encouragemnt to Andrew as he convinces him to play Hamlet just as Andrew's friend offers him a tv pilot.

Other than playing Hamlet for the sheer joy of performing the role why else would Andrew want to play the part?

Andrew is a New York actor who's primarily done television. He wants to be great and begins to be convinced that he needs to play Hamlet on the stage. He's motivated by a wantingness to become a great actor and to do so one must play the great parts. But another motivation for Andrew to play Hamlet is that his girlfriend loves Shakespeare and she wants to keep her purity as well. So Andrew may be wanting to play the role in order to sleep with his girlfriend by impressing her with his performance.

What's the big decision Andrew must make at the end of the play?

Andrew has been convinced. He has decided that he will play Shakespeare's Hamlet on the stage. He's been encouraged by the ghost of John Barrymore and is ready to take the leap. But just as he is determined to do so he learns that he is being offered a tv pilot by his friend who works in Hollywood. Andrew must now decided between playing Hamlet, which is a journey to becoming a great actor, and taking the money and potential fame the tv pilot offers.