There is an interesting, underhand comment Hamlet makes just as he engages Ophelia. He calls her "nymph". Those familiar with the three types of women as classified by the Greeks - "maiden, nymph, and crone" should take heed. Hamlet is saying Ophelia is not a virgin here. If Hamlet does not accept her as a wife, and she is pregnant, it will be catastrophic for Ophelia. There are indications that she is pregnant, like when Hamlet proclaims "Conception is a blessing, but not as your daughter might conceive. Look to it!" This gives impetus to Ophelia's suicide. A lot of things make more sense if Ophelia is pregnant.
@@nickdryad The fact that Hamlet kept telling Ophelia, "Get thee to a nunnery" is him implying that she's not a virgin, perhaps even with child. In Elizabethan England, a "nunnery" was slang for "brothel."
@@AnonYmous-uz2ou How do you know Hamlet didn’t actually mean A NUNNERY? He asked “Why Would’st thou be a breeder of sinners? “ He is warning her to shun the world. You can’t take a line out of context and make it mean what you think. He’s telling her to do the opposite of being a whore? He says to her don’t breed sinners. The next line he says “ we are all arrant knaves all, believe none of us. Get the to a nunnery!” Whether or not she was a virgin is not relevant. Even if she was not a virgin she could still take orders. Unless someone can find a direct reference in the text , either literal or metaphorical, that she was pregnant I will hold this view in utter doubt. She may have been had by Hamlet, she may be a virgin but there is nothing to suggest she is pregnant.
I don't think that's what Hamlet (the character) is up to, even though it is probably the reference he has in mind. He is trying to protect Ophelia from the danger his intrigue will place anyone close to him in. But he has to preserve the facade of madness and cannot speak openly to her. It's a very layered scene.
Shakespeare is never seen as it was supposed to be seen. You can either read the full text, but reading is not the same as watching a performance; or you can watch a performance which is always an abridged version because no one puts on a five-hour play anymore. That's why people start reading stuff into these plays that's not there. Ophelia's suicide is puzzling because it seems sudden if you watch a shortened performance. But if you read the entire play, there is a lot going on, and her suicide makes sense without needing additional explanation, such as a concealed pregnancy. _
On the one hand, it would be amazing to time travel and watch this scene played by Shakespeare's men in the 17th century. I have seen it on stage, the Mel Gibson version, the Kenneth Brannagh version, not two are the same, no one knows what to do with this scene. On the other hand, this forces us to keep studying all the different interpretations.
Ophelia is quite the shrinking violet here. She is at Hamlet's mercy, and the way Hamlet conducts his relationship with her indicates to me that he has a flawed character. He has a need to bully people. Part of it could be his current circumstances, and part of it is a character flaw.
He’s not bullying from a place of nefariousness without reason though. He becomes vindictive because he feels like Ophelia has essentially led him on and just lost feelings out of the blue, and instead of internalizing his feelings in a healthy way or just taking the time to move on, he finds it easier to insult her and make it seem as if his feelings were indifferent to begin with in an attempt to have her feel his same level of pain. Of course, she didn’t actually lose feelings, but Hamlet doesn’t know that.
Hamlet indeed has many flaws. He despises himself for being weak and indecisive, so he bullies others who try to help him. He treats Polonius as an enemy, even though the poor man is just concerned with his health and the wellbeing of his daughter. In my opinion he had very good reasons to warn Ophelia against a relationship with Hamlet. The old man could see his arrogance, indecisiveness, his mood swings and propensity towards violence. I don't think H would have made a good husband to O.
I guess it’s because for our modern standards it’s just not cinematic, it looks more like a play captured on camera. Again, Hamlet was written as a play and it’s no easy job to adapt it to the big screen. This Hamlet is considered the definitive version, but Zeffirelli’s is more dynamic in the camera work and the acting has a different rhythm, but both are worthy of watching. Olivier was great, but Gibson is not less in this role. Zeffirelli’s version is more action driven, more Italian and passionate, lol.
It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for that hair! And why did all the actresses around that time pout so? Couldn't stand VL as Scarlett O'Hara, either!
Beautiful film quality. Thank you for posting.
There is an interesting, underhand comment Hamlet makes just as he engages Ophelia. He calls her "nymph". Those familiar with the three types of women as classified by the Greeks - "maiden, nymph, and crone" should take heed. Hamlet is saying Ophelia is not a virgin here. If Hamlet does not accept her as a wife, and she is pregnant, it will be catastrophic for Ophelia. There are indications that she is pregnant, like when Hamlet proclaims "Conception is a blessing, but not as your daughter might conceive. Look to it!" This gives impetus to Ophelia's suicide. A lot of things make more sense if Ophelia is pregnant.
The text is the thing. There’s nothing in the text that suggest she’s pregnant.
@@nickdryad The fact that Hamlet kept telling Ophelia, "Get thee to a nunnery" is him implying that she's not a virgin, perhaps even with child. In Elizabethan England, a "nunnery" was slang for "brothel."
@@AnonYmous-uz2ou How do you know Hamlet didn’t actually mean A NUNNERY? He asked “Why Would’st thou be a breeder of sinners? “ He is warning her to shun the world. You can’t take a line out of context and make it mean what you think. He’s telling her to do the opposite of being a whore? He says to her don’t breed sinners. The next line he says “ we are all arrant knaves all, believe none of us. Get the to a nunnery!” Whether or not she was a virgin is not relevant. Even if she was not a virgin she could still take orders. Unless someone can find a direct reference in the text , either literal or metaphorical, that she was pregnant I will hold this view in utter doubt. She may have been had by Hamlet, she may be a virgin but there is nothing to suggest she is pregnant.
I don't think that's what Hamlet (the character) is up to, even though it is probably the reference he has in mind. He is trying to protect Ophelia from the danger his intrigue will place anyone close to him in. But he has to preserve the facade of madness and cannot speak openly to her. It's a very layered scene.
Shakespeare is never seen as it was supposed to be seen. You can either read the full text, but reading is not the same as watching a performance; or you can watch a performance which is always an abridged version because no one puts on a five-hour play anymore. That's why people start reading stuff into these plays that's not there. Ophelia's suicide is puzzling because it seems sudden if you watch a shortened performance. But if you read the entire play, there is a lot going on, and her suicide makes sense without needing additional explanation, such as a concealed pregnancy.
_
Great Acting by Laurence Olivier...True Magnificence as Hamlet
Olivier played a cool Hamlet. Never sweaty or overwrought.....”I did love you once”.
I love this scene so much ❤
On the one hand, it would be amazing to time travel and watch this scene played by Shakespeare's men in the 17th century. I have seen it on stage, the Mel Gibson version, the Kenneth Brannagh version, not two are the same, no one knows what to do with this scene. On the other hand, this forces us to keep studying all the different interpretations.
Fabulous Laurence.
What bliss to hear beautiful voices as clear as a bell! Naturalism is all very well, but if WS had wanted mumbling, he wouldn't have written in verse.
Wow I was thinking “is that Vivian Leigh?” Til she opened her mouth lol
Beyond words.
Claudius the pantsless king...what is it with the nobility and tights lol
Ophelia is quite the shrinking violet here. She is at Hamlet's mercy, and the way Hamlet conducts his relationship with her indicates to me that he has a flawed character. He has a need to bully people. Part of it could be his current circumstances, and part of it is a character flaw.
He’s not bullying from a place of nefariousness without reason though. He becomes vindictive because he feels like Ophelia has essentially led him on and just lost feelings out of the blue, and instead of internalizing his feelings in a healthy way or just taking the time to move on, he finds it easier to insult her and make it seem as if his feelings were indifferent to begin with in an attempt to have her feel his same level of pain. Of course, she didn’t actually lose feelings, but Hamlet doesn’t know that.
Hamlet indeed has many flaws. He despises himself for being weak and indecisive, so he bullies others who try to help him. He treats Polonius as an enemy, even though the poor man is just concerned with his health and the wellbeing of his daughter.
In my opinion he had very good reasons to warn Ophelia against a relationship with Hamlet. The old man could see his arrogance, indecisiveness, his mood swings and propensity towards violence.
I don't think H would have made a good husband to O.
@@naly202 Bipolar?
Of course! If the main character has no flaws, he could never be considered a classic tragic hero.
Performing this tomorrow. Wish me luck y'all. 😭
Gud luck
Just fantastic.
Amazing thanks 😊
6:29 I'M DYING!!!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂
Nice
“A plentiful lack of wit”. What an oxymoron!
Where can I get an hd version of this film? This looks more clear than any version I’ve seen.
ua-cam.com/video/ZFGVz-eNrhg/v-deo.html got this right after this clip lol
❤ forever laurence olivier
Good performance, fun, but who stole all there pants?🤣🤣
According to the book "The Riverside Shakespeare" shows the word "nunnery" as "brothel".
Yes. A nunnery in Elizabethan England was slang for a brothel.
Hamlet threw her down too hard.
It was a stunt Ophelia. She's fine.
why did they skip "I loved you not" @ 5:11?
mkolnay beacause this is the style of shakespear
Where are the famous bees of this scene?
Kool.
Lumineers meets laurence olivier ophelia
3:58
Dafuk! Lmao
nup, don't like this version
What about it don’t you like?
I prefer Mel and Helena Bonham Carter.
I guess it’s because for our modern standards it’s just not cinematic, it looks more like a play captured on camera. Again, Hamlet was written as a play and it’s no easy job to adapt it to the big screen. This Hamlet is considered the definitive version, but Zeffirelli’s is more dynamic in the camera work and the acting has a different rhythm, but both are worthy of watching. Olivier was great, but Gibson is not less in this role. Zeffirelli’s version is more action driven, more Italian and passionate, lol.
I know this woman is famed, but I so dislike her. I think she is the weak link in this cast.
It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for that hair! And why did all the actresses around that time pout so? Couldn't stand VL as Scarlett O'Hara, either!
@@rosemaryallen2128 it's jean simmons.
Of course! When you get to my age, they all begin to look the same!
Ophelia was meant to be a weakling and she's played home