Kenneth Branagh’s Role The Branagh version of Shakespeare’s play Hamlet bring s a much more enlightening experience to the feelings and actions of the characters. Branagh incorporates an authentic aristocratic setting where even the background visuals bring out the characters themselves. The imagery is able to capture symbolic parts of Shakespeare’s play, and emphasizes their relation to the story. Kenneth Branagh portrays Hamlet’s role in a deeply moving performance, almost makes the character his own. His strong emotions and patterned rhythm match the Shakespearian tragedy with little effort. In this manner, Branagh proves to be a competent director and actor in featuring Hamlet as not just a classic, but as a tragic real world conflict in history. With the introduction, Branagh brings the play straight into an ominous atmosphere. The Blenheim Palace, where the movie was directed, was able to create a scene of dark impending dangers. The hours of night rather than daylight and a season of cold winter characterized the theme of death. Already the audience could observe Hamlet’s misery beginning to take place over his father’s end. The director succeeds to contrast the gloomy mood with the happy aristocrats living peacefully in the royal palace. Often, there were scenes of high-class men dressed in full uniform and women in jewels and evening dress gathering in the court in laughter or comfort. The sight is disconcerting to the viewer and helps reason why Hamlet’s reaction is impulsive and angry. Aside from the setting, Branagh continues to brighten the palace with vibrant colors such as, red and white. For example, the white and black tiles in the royal court depicted a figurative metaphor of peace and war. The mirrors on the side reflected the true versions of each character. What the character saw on the outside he could not see on the inside, because the mirrors literally blinded them. Only Claudius could see the nature of Hamlet behind the mirror unseen. With this technique, Branagh designs an ironic situation where the characters are unaware of their surroundings and are driven by emotion. The emotional instability weakens Hamlet’s judgment and that instability starts as a chain reaction affecting Ophelia and later everybody else. Branagh uses this cunning method to make the visual imagery play tricks on the audience and the future of the characters. As an actor, Branagh follows within the strict iambic pentameter of Shakespeare’s play, adding his own personality into the role. Hamlet’s stubborn attributes really come through with Branagh’s spiteful behavior and rough tone. He brings forth that untamed anger held back by Hamlet, channeling it towards Claudius. His range of motion along with the changing expressions on his face communicates a clear disappointment towards the people around him. Overall, the feeling that comes through comes off as believable enough so that the audience can relate to that emotion as well even when not understanding old English. In general, Branagh played an extraordinary Hamlet, directing his scenes to create an order of tragic scenery. Colorful visuals captured a symbolic meaning to Hamlet’s end. The strategic setting and creative background opened up the movie as an historical legend rather than just a stage play. The unconventional delivery of lines and emotional vulnerability of the characters attracted sympathy for them. In effect, Branagh organizes Hamlet into a heart-wrenching drama that leaves the audience wanting more.