Hamlet: New York Mobster

With many different ways to go about creating an interesting alternate setting for Hamlet, I settled with the Mob scene in New York set in the 1930's. Hamlet, the son of an infamous gangster in the Mafia, struggles to cope with the sudden death of his father. Uncle Claudio, his father's brother and also a gangster, marries Hamlet's mother Geovana. Distraught over his father's death, feeling betrayed by Geovana, and confused over the intermarriage, Hamlet suspects foul play. After a visitation from his father's ghost, Hamlet's suspicions are confirmed: the ghost informs Hamlet of Uncle Claudio's plan to murder Big Hamlet and take control over the underground business. Also, Hamlet feels the need to live up to his father's name and take over the family business, but he does not want to continue living a life of crime. I feel like the Italian Mafia setting would translate the themes of power and greed. In those times, mobsters and their families were frequently targeted in order to gain power over money.

Act 3 Scene 3 could capture the New York mob setting, with the scene of Uncle Claudio showing remorse for the murder of his brother. Imagine Claudio in his office; slumped in a red velvet chair by the fireplace, a cigar in one hand and a glass of scotch in the other.  Dressed in nice slacks, but with his white dress shirt rumpled and his striped tie undone, he looks disgruntled. Claudio stares into the fire unnervingly as he thinks about the sins he's committed. He attempts to pray for forgiveness. Behind him, Hamlet slips into the office with a shotgun. He plans on killing Uncle Claudio right there, but decides that Claudio's prayers might make up for his sins. Hamlet does not want to take the chance of Claudio going to Heaven instead of Hell. After Hamlet quietly exits the office, Claudio bursts into a fit of anger and throws the glass of scotch at the brick wall behind him; the shattered glass litters the floor. Claudio declares that he cannot pray sincerely, and stares longingly at the bits of glass.

To Be or Not To Be...

   
In the first video, David Tennant portrays Hamlet's famous soliloquy in a soft, whispering tone. He appears fearful as he speaks: when Tennant says the line, "To be or not to be--that is the question," it seems as if he is actually searching within himself for the answer of whether or not he should live. The tone of his voice throughout the soliloquy indicates that he is full of despair and unsure where his plan to avenge his father might lead him.
    In the second video, however, Kenneth Branagh's portrayal of Hamlet differs. His approach leans toward the angry, aggressive side. His voice is quiet and even, unlike Tennant's shaky, whispering voice. From my point of view, Branagh seems more like a madman because of his quiet-anger demeanor.
    I prefer David Tennant's performance over Kenneth Branagh's, because Tennant's performance felt raw and emotional. I see Hamlet as a torn, confused young man. David Tennant showed that side of Hamlet clearly in the first video.