Lighting On The Ghost Of King Hamlet example essay topic

In Act 1 Scene 5 of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the ghost of King Hamlet can be portrayed as either, a harsh, mean, and demanding father or a caring, nice, and understanding dad. This depends on how you manipulate the lighting, actions, which includes speech, and other special effects. By manipulating the lighting on the ghost of King Hamlet, he can be presented as either a demanding and harsh father or a caring and understanding dad. To present the ghost as a demanding and harsh father you could use a bright red light shining on him. Using a red light would portray him as evil because the color red is associated with such things as fire and hell, both which have negative connotations. For example, at the beginning of the scene a single red light can shine down on the ghost from behind casting a dark shadow onto Hamlet.

When the ghost says, Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. The single light from behind could move to directly over the ghost casting a shadow onto his face to make him look even more menacing. Also, lights all over the stage would begin at a low red glow and slowly rise to a bright red engulfing the whole stage when the ghost finishes off the quote saying, murder. If you manipulate the light in another way the ghost can be presented as a caring father. By using a white or a blue light would portray him as good because the colors of white and blue are connected with things such as heaven and angels, both of which have good connotations. For example, when showing the ghost, a white light could be coming at him from all angles, following wherever he goes.

When the ghost of King Hamlet says, Taint not thy mind aught. A white light could be coming from under the stage shining up onto the ghost, and also from all other angles. This would cause the ghost to shine brightly from the light bouncing off his armor. Saying this quote while having white light surround him would further portray him as caring. Thi is because he is telling Hamlet not to harm, or even think of harming his mother. Not only does lighting show how the ghost of King Hamlet can be portrayed in two different ways, but it can also be displayed by his actions and speech.

By manipulating the ghost's actions and speech he can be portrayed as either a demanding and harsh father or a caring and understanding dad. By manipulating his speech into a low, hoarse, and rough sounding voice and often raising his voice so much that he would be yelling, he would be presented as demanding and harsh. His tone of voice would slowly rise until he was yelling at the end of the quote. Also as he was saying this he would be staring straight into Hamlet's eyes and gripping him extremely hard on both shoulders, often shaking him.

To portray the king as caring he could talk in a soft, agreeable, and pleasant tone of voice. Again when the ghost says, Taint not thy mind aught. He could use a smooth tone of voice while holding Hamlet softly on a single shoulder. Also, when the ghost must leave because of the rising sun and says, Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me.

The ghost could embrace Hamlet and then hold his hand as long as he could when he is leaving. By manipulating other special effects the ghost can be portrayed as either a demanding and harsh father or a caring and understanding dad. When the ghost says, And gins to pale his un effectual fire. He could be lowered down beneath the stage as a fog lighted with a red glow bellows out from below.

Also in the background thunder and lightning could be going on. This would portray the ghost to be mean because it would symbolize King Hamlet descending down into hell. By changing the effects to almost the exact opposite the ghost can be portrayed as nice. When the ghost says Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me. He could be hoisted off the stage simulating that he was flying towards heaven.

Also in the background the sounds of trumpets and harps could be heard further aligning him with heaven and things with good connotations..