Pick one film. What is the movie's interpretation of the ghost? Who or what is he? What is his relationship with Hamlet like? Does he wish Hamlet well or ill?
78 Comments
9/21/2014 11:37:38 pm
My favorite depiction of the ghost was the interpretation with Mel Gibson. I think that in the Mel Gibson version the ghost is portrayed much more human-like. The ghost doesn't seem like he is acting malicious or trying to deceive hamlet, he seems genuinely upset by the loss of his life and shocked by the misfortune that has fallen upon him.
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Daniel Um
9/21/2014 11:59:12 pm
To strengthen this comment, I would also like to propose the ghost's appearance. The ghost has a pale complexion as well as baggy eyes to represent how distressed he is in Purgatory. To me, this shows how terrified he is with the loss of the crown, the queen, and his position. The ghost also begins sitting down, on the same level as Hamlet. As the scene progressed, the ghost stood up and walked towards Hamlet and vanished. I took this representation as the close relationship Hamlet and his father had with each other. Standing up reminds Hamlet that the ghost is still Hamlet's father, and getting even closer shows how much the ghost wants revenge.
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Pasch Spice
9/22/2014 03:23:35 am
To stregnthen this comment further, I would add that the only thing that separated the ghost from Hamlet was the lighting of the scene. He was always on same level as Hamlet, and came close to him despite being forced to stay in the shadow. The 1948 version had the father figure above Hamlet, standing on the castle wall farther away from Hamlet. The Mel Gibson version seemed to have much more personality as well. The almost monotone voice of the ghost in the 1948 version made him seem less vivid about his yearning for revenge. Even the 1996 film had the ghost really express his desire for revenge, with an irate expression on his face, and indignate tone.
Madeline Goulet
9/22/2014 03:25:36 am
For the reasons explained in Pascal's comment, the Mel Gibson version of the ghost is my favorite. He is seen as more sympathetic toward his son, Hamlet, who he understands is having just as hard of a time with the unexpected murder. This is shown in the tone of the ghost and his kind, more comforting gestures towards his son.
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Greyson Bourgeois
9/21/2014 11:39:39 pm
In the 1990 version of Hamlet by Franco Zeffirelli, the ghost is portrayed as pitiful. In the film, the ghost looks old and tired and sounds weak. Between the paleness of his skin and the emptyness of his eyes he looks like a corpse. Despite this he does not seems evil or scary, instead he is shown as a pitiful old man. Hamlet seems to show sympathy for the ghost, along with a certain amount of respect, displayed by his attentiveness. The ghost seems to be in tune with hamlets thoughts, splitting the line "O horrible, O horrible, most horrible" (1.5.87) with him. The ghost doesn't seems to have any malice toward hamlet, and so does not seem to bear him any ill will.
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Brenda Sanchez
9/21/2014 11:50:12 pm
Having a more gentle and sad version of the Ghost in the 1990 version of Hamlet was also more effective as compared to the "scary" ghost in the 1996 version. The older ghost showed weakness and allowed for Hamlet to feel pity. There was also more communication between the Ghost and Hamlet in this 1990 version. In the 1996 version, the ghost was so startling that Hamlet stood shocked face for a good two minutes.
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Elena Arnold
9/22/2014 03:20:23 am
The Olivier ghost was portrayed as a devil or evil creature. This is seen as Hamlet holds his sword like a cross to ward off the ghost and also by the fact that the ghost's face is covered. It much more unsure of whether the spirit is acutally Hamlet's father.
Tripi Shrivastava
9/24/2014 05:09:38 am
I agree with this statement. The ghost did in fact look tired and sound week. Although he was tired and looked very pail and ghost-like, he did not appear intimidating or mischievous. Hamlet then also goes forth to show sympathy to the ghost.
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Cassidy Curra
9/21/2014 11:42:21 pm
Franco Zeffireli's version of Hamlet is one in which the Ghost is certainly a figment of his imagination. For Hamlet, his father is the ultimate source of nobility and kindness -- and these ideals are depicted in the meek and injured version of his father. His voice is broken, and filled with a dire need for his son to remember him, as well as to assist him, implying a relationship of mutual respect -- or a relationship that Hamlet imagined with his father anyway (one that probably didn't exist, considering his father is asking him to literally send his soul to hell by killing his uncle -- is that eighth circle, by the way? I can't remember). At least in Hamlet's mind, his father is wishing him well, especially in his non-threatening clothes, and scarred face, as he begs to his son.
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Pascal Legate
9/21/2014 11:47:54 pm
I disagree with your statement that the ghost is a "figment of his imagination" although it may seem like that is the case, in beginning of the scene both Horatio and Marcellus see the ghost and speak directly about it... I also believe it's hard to asses the relationship between Hamlet and his father nothing indicates that his father is "ultimate source of nobility and kindness".
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Monica
9/22/2014 12:00:11 am
The movie definitely implies the ghost is a figment of Hamlet's imagination. His color palette is low contrast and blends into the wall behind him, making the audience doubt his presence. He didn't look like a ghost, or at least not to me; he looked like a corpse. I assumed the ghost was a hallucination at first.
Evan Williams
9/22/2014 06:13:55 am
I also disagree with the figment of Hamlet's imagination statement, and specifically with this adaption. The ghost of Hamlet's father, while appearing less like a King and more of a defeated man, actually seems closer to a spirit because it embodies the man that lost to his own brother. He is a defeated, weak and broken corpse that is literally begging for revenge of his death. Zeffirelli makes the ghost an opposite to the noble man he once was, sporting an unkempt appearance with dark clothes and a surprisingly shaky and hesitant voice. If it was a figment of Hamlet's own state of mind, it seems it would have been closer to the classic king-like character that Hamlet grew up with as a father, the man Hamlet would look up to.
Sara Stashluk
9/28/2014 03:18:45 am
I completely agree that the ghost is meant to be a figment of Hamlet's imagination, mainly because the ghost does not look ghost like at all. In the 1996 version, the ghost is smoky and dressed in unusual clothes. The ghost also moves very smoothly as if he is floating, which is meant to show how ghost-like he is. In the Zeffirelli version, the ghost could not look more human, and he disappears at a seemingly random time with no warning, whereas in the 1996 version, the ghost gradually disappears.
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Bobbie
9/21/2014 11:44:05 pm
Laurence Oliver's 1948 film struck me with the distance in portrays between the Ghost and Hamlet. Although this may have to do with the technological and special effects limitations of the time, the Ghost is almost always obscured by smoke, and his face is covered (or shadowed, I don't really remember) by his cowl. To be honest, he reminded me of Darth Vader, especially with the raspy voice, which I described (in my notes while I was watching it) as "treacherous." This whole appearance -- smoke, cowl, and Darth Vader voice -- definitely did not give me the impression that the Ghost appeared to Hamlet to /help/ him. On top of that, Hamlet's own reaction to the Ghost's first appearance implies that he himself does not trust the spirit --he almost faints, and appears sick, which I would attribute more to an evil spirit than a friendly one. Plus, he holds his sword up like a cross when he follows it away from his friends, as if to ward off a demon. And when the movie depicts Hamlet's father being murdered, it is not as a flashback, which would imply that it actually happened, but as Hamlet imagining the scenario. The Ghost could have just implanted the idea in Hamlet's mind, and the murder of Hamlet's father, as the Ghost tells it, might never have happened. After all, we never get to see the face of the (imaginary) man who murdered Old Hamlet. The Ghost appears way more like an evil spirit bent on manipulating Hamlet to murder than the poor, doomed afterimage of his father.
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Zia Lyle
9/22/2014 03:07:57 am
I agree that in this version of Hamlet the ghost was simply a figment of Hamlet's imagination. The shadowed figure and the fact we never see the face of the ghost create the idea that the ghost is merely an illusion and not real at all. I like your comparison to Darth Vader as well, that shows the father-son relationship that has been seriously distorted over time. The fact that Hamlet appears scared of the ghost is also resonant of the fact that Hamlet is scared of the sadness he feels for his father and the situation that he is in now.
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Audrey Lewis
9/22/2014 05:57:30 am
Although I agree that the this version of the ghost definitely meant Hamlet ill, like Bobbie said, I doubt that he is a figment of Hamlet's imagination. I think that the fear that Hamlet feels for the ghost is a more literal fear of an evil spirit, than a fear of his situation and his grief for his father. I think that the fact that he primarily shows fear and not compassion, grief, or anger in this scene makes it very doubtful that the ghost is a figment of his imagination. He just doesn't seem unbalanced enough.
Kassandra Cortez
9/21/2014 11:45:57 pm
In the Olivier version, the ghost of Hamlet's dad is portrayed as a lamenting figure who never shows his face. During their encounter, Hamlet keeps his distance, kneeling down, as his father recounts his story. This makes the relationship between the two seem detached as Hamlet behaves not like his son but like an obedient servant. I think the ghost is portrayed as such to give doubt whether Hamlet really saw his father's ghost or wanted to believe it was. This makes Hamlet's later "insanity" seem more convincing to both the audience and the other characters.
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Aide De Leon
9/22/2014 03:19:01 am
I agree with what you are saying, Olivier does a good job at portraying Hamlet as very weak and foolish in a way. Hamlet is willing to do what his father is asking him to do because he feels that it is his obligation not so much because he has a very sentimental relationship with the ghost. While the ghost speaks to him as nothing more than just a servant in a way by demanding him to go get revenge for what was done to him. Throughout this the ghost doesn't seem to truly think what the consequences behind the action will be, but rather just to have Hamlet do was he wishes to be done.
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Christian Buffum-Robbins
9/22/2014 03:20:55 am
I don't think the ghost is just a figment. Other characters can see the ghost and even appear to be afraid of it. There's also the warning that the others give that the ghost could simply try to lead Hamlet to his death, which implies that they can see it too.
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Emma Hunt
9/22/2014 03:23:46 am
I completely agree that in the Olivier version the relationship between Hamlet and his father(the ghost) seems very submissive. It is clear in this scene, as depicted in this version, that Hamlet holds his father in high regard but his, as you mentioned, kneeling down and keeping his distance, indicates his obedience and subservience to his father. I disagree however that this encounter made it seem as though the ghost isn't real. I would argue the opposite--that the submission of Hamlet to his father makes it seem more realistic that this ghost is realy because this is a very likely relationship for them to have had and is supported by Hamlet's actions and words later in the play.
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Emma Varela
9/21/2014 11:46:05 pm
In the 1996 version of Hamlet the ghost is portrayed with a hauntingly evil persona. He has quite a different demeanor than the ghosts in the 1948 and 1990 films. The ghosts in these films are more fatherly in the way they deliver the news to Hamlet. I think the goal with the 1996 ghost is to scare Hamlet into seeking revenge on Claudius, just based on the tone of the conversation and the ghosts overall appearance. I think the relationship between young Hamlet and Old Hamlet in the 1996 film was strained because the ghost tells him he has no option and that he has to kill Claudius. He does not wish him well but he doesn't necessarily wish him ill. He only wants Hamlet to accomplish the task at hand.
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Kassandra Cortez
9/21/2014 11:54:20 pm
I also think that the 1996 version shows Hamlet's father as an evil ghost just based on how he looked like a possessed corpse and intimidated Hamlet into listening to his story. In the 1990 version, Hamlet's dad was seen as a normal human spirit who just wanted to let Hamlet know about what happened to him, a total contrast to the 1996 version. I believe the king's relationship to Hamlet was not too fatherly, but rather demanding and strained.
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Cole
9/21/2014 11:57:07 pm
I agree, the ghost from the 1996 version is not so much a father as a messenger. He tells Hamlet what to do and why, and that is the extent of the reason for his appearance. Also, he has a much more frightening demeanor.
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Lauren White
9/22/2014 03:12:07 am
I completely agree with your statements regarding the ghost. In the Lawrence Olivie version, the ghost is solemn in his delivery and demeanor. He appears draped in armor, with a wrangled and unkempt beard. In the Mel Gibson version, the ghost startles Hamlet, and is more humanlike than the first version. Then, the 1996 version's ghost is scary, intense, and all powerful it seems. Out of all of the versions, the ghost in the 1996 film seems to have ulterior motives. He sparks the madness in Hamlet's character, for when the men come running after him, the downward spiral has already commenced. Like you mentioned, there is no father son relationship in this film. The ghost seems indifferent to his life other than killing Claudius, as they do not discuss much else in such a strong way.
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Surya Milner
9/24/2014 02:06:13 pm
I would definitely agree with the statement that the ghost of Hamlet Sr. uses intimidation tactics in the 1996 version to coerce Hamlet to seek revenge. The ghost's appearance, demeanor, and tone all seem to suggest a sense of not only urgency, but also fateful consequences.
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Kevin Chau
9/21/2014 11:49:07 pm
In the 1948 Lawrence Olivier version, the ghost is the spirit of Hamlet's father. His relationship with Hamlet is that he wants Hamlet to avenge him by telling Hamlet to kill King Claudius. In the film, the ghost tells Hamlet how he is poisoned by King Claudius and tells Hamlet to avenge his death. The ghost appears to wish Hamlet well, but telling Hamlet to commit murder makes him seem to have sinister intentions.
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Michael Jiang
9/22/2014 12:00:19 am
I am in total agreement with Kevin. The ghost who claims to be King Hamlet wishes Hamlet ill will by ordering his son to commit murder while operating on the guise that he needs revenge to rest in peace. What he asks of Hamlet is to commit murder that is most foul, killing kin much like King Claudius did. The film further substantiates this sinister nature of the ghost by portraying him at night in a place that is really quiet, portraying a silent but dangerous mood and conveying a feeling that something evil will happen.
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Forrest Hammel
9/21/2014 11:53:56 pm
In Kenneth Branagh's version of "Hamlet," the ghost takes on a more evil nature than in the other versions. First, Hamlet is led through a dark forest by the ghost's voice, rather than following him up to a tower in the castle. This created a darker atmosphere for the scene, which was backed up by the speech of the ghost (and the accompanying visuals). Although the ghost still takes the form of a man, he is not wearing the armor that every other version of the ghost is wearing. This version of the ghost almost seems to wish Hamlet ill if he were not to follow through with revenge on Claudius, as his speech grows darker as he talks and is accompanied with various similarly-dark images of the King's death. In addition, Hamlet seems to be troubled by the ghost, as he becomes visibly nervous while the ghost is speaking. It's almost as if Hamlet dreads seeing the ghost and hearing his story, but at the same time he knows that he must listen to the ghost and kill Claudius, or face a worse fate himself.
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Nicholas Wallace
9/22/2014 03:19:27 am
I agree with Forrest, as this version of the ghost seems to be much more willing to harm Hamlet. As Forrest said of how the ghost physically backed Hamlet away from the center of the clearing he appeared in, in addition to the aforementioned dark setting and speech of the ghost. The ghost still wears his helmet, but it does not cover his face so Prince Hamlet is able to see the angry ghost's face instead of simply interacting with a faceless being.
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Oscar Ramirez
9/21/2014 11:55:47 pm
I think the Kenneth Branagh has the most diabolic interpretation of Hamlet's father. This is conveyed through the dark armor, the creepy voice and the deep blue eyes. The fact that Hamlet's father is interpreted as a demonic being changes the perspective of his petition of revenge. In the Franco Zeffirelli version, for instance, the audience can have sympathy for Hamlet's father because he is appears to be a senile, loving father which makes his petition for revenge seem less sinful. However, with Branaugh's interpretation, the audience sees former King Hamlet's request as more selfish and less moral.
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Mazie Hyams
9/22/2014 12:01:13 am
I agree with the sentiment that Zeffirelli's interpretation of Hamlet's ghost is the most sympathetic and the most human, but I think that Olivier's ghost is even more demonic than Branaugh's. The ghost in Branaugh's interpretation takes the form of a human (bar the unnaturally cold blue eyes and disturbing whisper), whereas the Olivier version is completely otherworldly, with a booming voice and no discernible facial features (due to a large black cloak). This lack of human features further removes his human origins and makes him even more demonic.
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Luis Cruz
9/22/2014 12:02:08 am
In Kenneth Branagh's film Hamlet's father is truly transformed to be a malicious entity instead of a symbol of justice. Opposed to the other films Kenneth Branagh portrays the ghost to be more revengeful.
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David Hamilton
9/21/2014 11:55:53 pm
In Laurence Olivier's film, the ghost is portrayed as being ominous and foreboding. The ghost of Hamlet's father is very much supernatural, fading in and out of Hamlet's view, leading Hamlet on in an eerie fashion. The ominous music that Oliver adds further enhances this mood that the ghost is not a friendly presence, but rather a shadowy menace to Hamlet. However, once the ghost actually begins talking to Hamlet, one gets the sense that the ghost truly does wish Hamlet well. The ghost stands at a distance from Hamlet, thus making him seem less threatening. Furthermore, the ghost of Hamlet's father seems to be very passionate about Hamlet and his future, demonstrated by the ghost's facial expressions of looking earnest and fatherly.
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Forrest Hammel
9/22/2014 12:01:30 am
I agree with what you're saying, although I think the ominous music and visuals may be hinting to the message of the ghost, not the ghost itself. However, the ghost itself is definitely not evil, and appears to wish Hamlet well in his quest to seek revenge on Claudius. Whereas the other ghosts, especially the one in Branaugh's version, may seem evil and menacing to Hamlet, this one seems to actually be the well-wishing ghost of his father.
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Evan Tey
9/22/2014 05:52:57 am
I agree with Forrest in that the message the ghost is to deliver is of a rather serious nature. The reflection of the setting on this message, though dark, reinforce the significance the message has to Hamlet's life and his father's legacy. If however taken to comparison with Zeffirelli's ghost, there is a wide divergence between the characters of the ghosts. Where Olivier keeps the ghost serious- separated from Hamlet- Zeffirelli's ghost is overcome with emotion as he steps through his story and begs to remain in Hamlet's memory.
Mazie Hyams
9/21/2014 11:56:05 pm
The Laurence Olivier and Franco Zeffirelli interpretations of Hamlet's ghost provide a stark contrast that redefines the titular character's relationship with his father.
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Destiny Ohabughiro
9/21/2014 11:56:54 pm
In the 1940 version of Hamlet by Laurence Olivier, the spirit of king Hamlet appears to Hamlet. The ghost does not appear to have a body or a face, and is covered entirely with armor. This is probably the closest to the description of the ghost in Hamlet the book. The fumes surrounding the ghost, make it seem more inauspicious. You don't really know what the ghost could be, due to the fact that the ghost doesn't start out with "I am thy father's spirit", like in the book. This leaves Hamlet to wonder if the ghost is really his father or a demon from hell. The ghost immediately tells Hamlet of his murder, and tells his son to avenge him. Based upon that, the relationship between Hamlet and his dad was more strict. Maybe because they are of royalty, Hamlet's dad usually gave his son orders, as he did to the rest of his kingdom. He doesn't really seem to care about Hamlet's interests, only his own revenge.
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Sean Sheth
9/22/2014 03:19:15 am
I agree, especially because Hamlet notes that the ghost beckons him forward and though Hamlet does follow it up onto the tower, he still has no clue whether this "poor ghost" (I.v.8) is truely his father. At least not until, as the Ghost of Hamlet's father reveals, "I am thy father's spirit" (I.v.14). He tells Hamlet that he was murdered, "revenge his [Claudius] foul and unnatural murder" (I.v.32). and how it was done. The audience then sees the murder re-enacted in a flashback as the ghost describes the deed – Claudius is seen pouring poison into the late King Hamlet's ear, thereby killing him. Hamlet does not at first accept this as the truth, "Murder?" (I.v.33) and then immediately accepts the truth as the one had had predicted, "Haset me to know't, that I with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge" (I.v.35-38). Then, to only reject his assumption and the words of the ghost in his rage.
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Ismael Flores
9/22/2014 12:00:54 am
In Laurence Olivier's "Hamlet" (1948), I felt the ghost of young Hamlet's father appears before Hamlet mostly to warn him of the true nature of recent events in the castle, specifically of his death at King Claudius' hand and of Hamlet's mother who, seemingly without virtue, remarried soon after. While I do not believe that his father wished Hamlet any ill will, his words were very foreboding and only faintly resonated the positive relationship they likely had in life. There was a very obvious disconnect within the ghost from the emotion they share and the ghost's objective, and it is this disconnect that ultimately sets Hamlet on his own objectives.
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Sean Sheth
9/22/2014 12:42:24 am
In the Mel Gibson Version(1990), The ghost is hidden in a shroud of darkness while Hamlet obediently follows him. Hamlet throws his sword to the ground as his father tells him of how he had died and he comes out from the dark corner to express the gratitude he expects from Hamlet; to avenge his death.
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Nicholas Wallace
9/22/2014 03:08:54 am
In Laurence Olivier's depiction of the ghost, the ghost seems to wish Hamlet ill because of the darkness that he is located in, but this could also have been through the limitations of the filming techniques. In addition to being in the foggy darkness, he seems to have been dressed in black or fairly dark armor, which also seems to indicate ill will. Hamlet seems to sense this in the film as when he follows the ghost, he carries his sword as a cross in order to keep the ghost away if he is evil. This can also been seen because of the expressionless helmet that the ghost wears, showing an indifference to his son, when convincing Prince Hamlet to exact revenge on Claudius.
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Inga Wei
9/22/2014 03:19:33 am
Though I agree that Olivier's version was very eerie in Hamlets initial interaction with the ghost, I must say that of all the versions we saw, the ghost intents in this version seemed the least malicious. Though the ghost was more evasive in that you couldn't see his face, his voice seemed almost omnipotent in a way, he had a presence reminiscent of godly. Also, this was the only interaction where the ghost did not get physical with Hamlet.
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Aide De Leon
9/22/2014 03:11:08 am
In the Mel Gibson version, the ghost scene is very powerful and seems realistic. The ghost is portrayed as weak, helpless, and angelic, but this also helps portray the relationship Hamlet had with his father. Hamlet sees him with respect and feels the need to help him now that he's gone. It shows the compassion and admiration Hamlet had for his father before he passed away.
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Aide De Leon
9/22/2014 03:13:40 am
Kenneth Branaugh, 1996* not Lockhart.
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Jacqueline Huerta
9/22/2014 03:19:46 am
I agree that in the Mel Gibson version the ghost seemed more human than the other versions we saw and he did seem to be asking Hamlet for his help instead of commanding it like the other versions. His relationship with Hamlet also seemed better because Hamlet didn't see his father with fear but with compassion and is willing to help because he has great love and admiration for his father.
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Elissa Lindquist-Sher
9/22/2014 03:11:28 am
In Kenneth Branaugh's Hamlet (1996), the Ghost is much more dark and revengeful than in the other interpreatations. Branagh's version depicts him as a very large man that is covered in armor and has captivating blue eyes. His stare is dead on and his voice is deep in a creepy way. As he speaks to Hamlet, he is very forceful with his words and varies his tone to emphasis certain points. I think that he even pushed Hamlet onto a tree while they were in the forest, to show his power and wrath. The Ghost does not seem to be very interested in Hamlet's well being as he only talks at him, and his expression did not seem to carry any emotion. It is almost as though he were a puppet spurring out a dark story in the manner of a movie reel. From his interaction with Hamlet, I am unsure if he wishes Hamlet ill or well because he is much more concerned with his point coming across to Hamlet, than conversing. Hamlet is very affected by the news because he cares for his father.
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Sadie Barron
9/22/2014 03:21:40 am
I completely agree with you, Elissa. The ghost is definitely seen as more of a power structure than anythign else. He is commanding Hamlet to avenge his death through his tone, positioning, and armor.
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Beck
9/22/2014 03:11:55 am
It was Laurence Olivier's interpretation of the ghost of King Hamlet that intrigued me the most. In the incipient stages of the ghost's appearance, he is shrouded in darkness, accompanied by screaming sounds and dissonant music. Because of these factors, the ghost seems very demonic, as if he is not there on good terms and is not intent on helping young Hamlet, but rather more intent on furthering his own cause. Furthermore, when we look at the reactions of Horatio and Marcellus between the different films, their reaction to Hamlet’s desire to speak to the ghost is much more violent. What I mean by this is that they seem extremely intent on preventing him from going to see the ghost alone, once again giving the ghost a dangerous and demonic feel.
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9/22/2014 03:13:00 am
In the Laurence Olivier film, the ghost appears to Hamlet as a dark figure on the top of the stairs. He shows Hamlet visions of the death of King Hamlet among physically depicting some of the metaphors in the play. The Ghost is revealed to be the late king Hamlet. He wears black armor and courts a long beard. He doesn’t wear a head piece as described in the book but a hood instead. Honestly he reminds me of an evil, mystic sorcerer with this fantastical element to it. Such elements drive the viewer to believe the Ghost is a figment of Hamlet's imagination, despite other characters seeing the ghost as well. The ghost wants Hamlet to avenge “his most foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.31). Hamlet agrees to this and wants to fulfill his father wishes. Their relationship is interesting to say the least in this movie. I believe the Ghost wishes Hamlet well, so that Hamlet can kill Claudius. If the ghost wishes to have his death avenged, he must obviously wish Hamlet well. However, one must question the appearance of the ghost with respect to his motives. If he wants Hamlet to obey him why put on the charade of evil, lightning, and mysticism, appearing as if he intends to hurt Hamlet. On the other hand, He may want to simply scare the truth into Hamlet and convince him to follow his wishes by methods of fear. All points considered, ultimately I believe Hamlet has a good relationship with his Father as he believes his father's claims and wishes to avenge his death, for fact is fact and nothing more.
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Sadie Barron
9/22/2014 03:17:24 am
In Laurence Olivier's 1948 version of Hamlet, the ghost of King Hamlet speaks with a low and slow with a raspy voice. He appears to be standing much higher than Prince Hamlet and looking down on him. This shows that the King and Hamlet have a more detached relationship because the (dead) King is still superior to Hamlet. This detached connection between the two is also seen before Hamlet follows the ghost. He carries his sword as a cross seeking divine protection from his father's ghost rather than trusting that all will be well. Generally, the Ghost wishes Hamlet ill in that unlike the play, where the Ghost says, "Horrible, horrible, most horrible", Hamlet says it. The ghost played on Hamlet's emotions enough to have him see how "horrible" the murder was and convince him that vengence is the only answer. The ghost does this to Hamlet knowing that if Hamlet does avenge his father's death, he will be condemned to hell.
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Emma Hunt
9/22/2014 03:18:20 am
In the Lawrence Olivier version of Hamlet the ghost seems to be real. The reaction of the guards and those with Hamlet when the ghost appears, act stunned and seem to see a form but be ubale to speak to it. Hamlet appears drawn to the form and follows it as if he knows that it's his father and has an important message for him. The form is clearly a ghost--it's floating and shrouded in darkness--but also seems to exist and not merely be a figment of Hamlet's imagination. His relationship with Hamlet seems to have a slight disconnect. Their relationship isn't very intimate but Hamlet hangs on the king's every word and wish.
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9/22/2014 05:56:32 am
EMMA!!! I wholeheartedly agree. This version accurately depicts how it is supposed to be read. Hamlet obviously reveres his father, and it seems as though he only fears him in the other versions. The ghost speaks softly and tenderly, appealing to Hamlet, while the other ghosts are unrealistic. Your statement about the Ghost appearing as a figment of Hamlet's imagination rings true; a more nebulous, vague manifestation of his father's spirit would be more likely to cause Hamlet's mental episode. Such a shrouded figure seems the most likely to get that response from Hamlet. Great observations, Emma. I love u.
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Sergio Jimenez
9/22/2014 03:20:33 am
Laurence Olivier's version of Hamlet, while not seeming the most sinister, definitely has a dark undertone to the overall feel. It can lead to an iterpretation that this ghost is not actually that of Hamlet's father, but of some other evil being. The only evidence that is given is it's similar appearence and the ghost saying that it is Hamlet's ghost. The ghost's face is constantly obscured by a veil of smoke and the harsh, yet quiet voice serves to futher hide it's identitiy. The ghost doesn't seem to care about the act of murder itself, which would incriminate Hamlet.
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Caroline Shi
9/22/2014 03:20:46 am
Compared to the other films, the 1996 one was much more intense and fast paced, featuring multiple explosions, quick camera angle changes, and ominous voices. The ghost suddenly appears and remains in a static position during his talk with Hamlet, as if he were a domineering robotic messenger spewing words rather than a fatherly figure imparting advice to his son. The relationship between Hamlet and his father appears to be very much a master and servant relationship, as the ghost commands his son to take action while literally and metaphorically looking down on Hamlet, wishing him ill, as the manner in which he imparts his message is quite menacing. The ghost seems to be a figment of Hamlet’s imagination, as the voices Hamlet hears seem as if they are coming from within his own mind, and his confused movements through the forest make it seems as though he is trying to escape his own imagination.
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Sergio Jimenez
9/22/2014 01:25:10 pm
I agree with you that the ghost in this rendition does seem more commanding than the other interpretations. His ghost seems to disregard Hamlet's own innocence. This makes a bit more sense if the implication that the ghost Hamlet sees is at least mostly in his imagination (noting that it has been seen by others). Then Hamlet can use this idealized version of his father as an ultimate justification slaying Claudius.
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Madeline Goulet
9/22/2014 03:21:29 am
In the Kenneth Branagh (1996) version of Hamlet, the ghost is depicted as a powerful, vengeful spirit through his strong physical stature and booming voice. His monstrous voice and full-body suit of armor show that he does not confront Hamlet in a comforting way, but rather an alarming way. He is there to dictate to Hamlet what he needs done in the way of revenge. He is full of hatred and spite, which comes out in his tone of voice, and especially when he thrusts Hamlet into a tree. He doesn't necessarily wish Hamlet ill, but he certainly doesn't wish him well either. He is there for the sole purpose of demanding revenge and he wants Hamlet to organize the effort.
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Benjamin Taulli
9/22/2014 11:45:07 pm
Ya this is exactly my interpretation as well. The only thing that came across as kind of weird is that Hamlet is seriously chasing down the ghost for the first half of the scene, yet when he finally confronts him turns around and whimpers in the corner.
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Hollie "Bruh" Pantalion
9/22/2014 05:39:09 am
I think the most dramatic and powerful ghost scene was the 1990 Zeffirelli version. Mel Gibson was hella distraught by the sight of his father's ghost. Actually, the ghost of his daddio wasnt very ghostly at all. He seemed like a poor old man that had been through some hard times. I feel like this made Hamlet even more eager to avenge his father. He saw the pain and the sadness that his father had been through in his death and that enraged him. Ghost Daddy Hamlet seemed to love Little Baby Son Hamlet very much and you could tell that they had had a very close realtionship when they were both living. Ghost Daddy wants Hamlet to avenge him, but he also wants Hamlet to be at piece with his death. The bromance love between them was strong. It was some really daddy love.
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Jacob "Brochacho" Yarnell
9/22/2014 05:50:17 am
I feel like in the newst version of Hamlet there was way more Bromance. The ghost had the prettiest blue eyes, and it was just wonderful the love they had between them. "OH HORRIBLE, OH HORRIBLE," and then he just killed me, "MOST HORRIBLE." Those words just really sum up the play.
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Sabrina Bhattarai
9/22/2014 12:14:50 pm
I agree with Hollie with what she said about the ghost of Hamlet's dad being a poor old man that had been through hard times. The ghost seemed like he wanted to give his son some advice and make everything right in the world by killing Claudius. Furthermore, Hamlet and his "dad" appear to have more of connection in this movie than the other ones.
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Evan Tey
9/22/2014 05:41:26 am
The ghost of Lawrence Olivier's Hamlet on first instinct seems to be a dark stern figure clouded with anger and enveloped in the despair of Denmark, but as the character developed, he became more akin to a traditional God-like figure. Of course the initial observations of Hamlet's father describe mainly the gravelly voice, dark demeanor, and deep monotone voice, but while these typically accompany a ominous tone, these also describe what may commonly be considered the Old Testament God (or the Jewish God). An omnipotent, ever-present being, Hamlet's father is deified by his son, as noted in the play, and this version of the play builds off this interpretation. Though most of the screen is cast in darkness, there is a single source of light in this scene: where the ghost's head should be. Thus, in this classic example of light versus darkness, the ghost therefore is the source of light, in other words, God, a figure of ideals and order in Hamlet's Denmark.
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John Chan
9/22/2014 05:51:31 am
Evan, what if the ghost DIDN'T EVEN EXIST?!?!?!?!??!? I think that Olivier's Hamlet portrays an insane Hamlet the best. Consider the scene. A vague mist appears near Hamlet, a glaucoma-like burr in his field of vision. Suddenly, without any apparent mouth or head, the smudge begins to speak. Hamlet runs away from his friends, chasing after this apparition, and when he finally stops running, sees only a vague figure. He begins talking to this ghost, who's voice sounds remarkably similar to that of Hamlets. Checkmate. Olivier's Hamlet is one with severe glaucoma and who hallucinates. (maybe)
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Katy Hanna
9/22/2014 05:43:47 am
I knew immediately what I wanted to write before I read through the other comments, and I'm surprised not to have seen it elsewhere: Branaugh's version made the ghost ridiculous. It was not intense, or scary, it was laughable. While the dialogue was similar to the other movies, and of course to Hamlet itself, the visual choices made for the scene ruined any semblance of seriousness.
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Caroline Shi
9/22/2014 09:11:14 am
I completely agree. I also thought this rendition was rather overdone, with the supposedly eerie whispers and the continuous cut scenes. If the director had decided to tone the film down by getting rid of the incessant shifting scenes and random explosions and making the film less overly dramatic, I think the setting of the snowy forest and the scene in general would have had a much more powerful effect on the audience. The overdone movie effects combined with Hamlet and the ghost's facial expressions just made the film seem comical.
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Sam Grayson
9/22/2014 05:44:51 am
There is an increasing sense of chase and pursuit in the 1990 version of Hamlet. Hamlet chases the ghost through the scene. Hamlet almost loses the ghost for a while. Why would the ghost retreat from Hamlet if he wanted to tell Hamlet something? He seeks out Hamlet from the crowd, yet when he saw Hamlet, he ran. This makes the ghosts intentions muddled and reinforces that the ghost is mysterious and his motives are unknown.
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Audrey Lewis
9/22/2014 05:49:39 am
In the 1948 version of Hamlet, the ghost is portrayed as dark and supernatural. The fog and the camera angles serve to obscure him from view. He does actually look like a visitor from the other side. Also, the ghost shows no affection to Hamlet and Hamlet kneels for the whole conversation. He is decked out in martial regalia, his face obscured, and all of this minimizes his role as Hamlet's father. The exchange is relatively emotionless and reserved, and for this reason I doubt that the ghost in this version is a figment of Hamlet's troubled mind. I think, rather, that all of the dark imagery with no personal identifying points to the ghost not being Hamlet's father at all, but a devil sent to tempt Hamlet.
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Queen_Ana_Lopez_96
9/22/2014 05:49:44 am
The Kenneth Branagh version (1996), compared to the Olivier and Mel Gibson versions, provides an alarming contrast between depictions of King Hamlet's ghost. Initially, Hamlet's disposition is entirely different from the way he behaves in the other two movies. He is obviously fearful of his father's apparition; in the other versions, he is much more acquiescent and seems more upset upon seeing his dead father than he is horrified. He screams after his father, rather than whimpering fearfully. His father, conversely, looks like a demon straight from Hell. In the Mel Gibson version, for example, the Ghost looks more like a benevolent manifestation of Hamlet's equally complacent, well-meaning father. This version's ghost has icy-white irises, an ominous, strangled voice, and a more forceful delivery of his lines. Rather than comforting his son and urging him to avenge his death, it appears that he wouldn't take no for an answer. Physically, the ghost floats high above Hamlet's head, while Mel Gibson's and Lawrence Olivier's ghosts stand at more of an equal level to Hamlet. It seems as though the Ghost has abandoned all nurturing, fatherly love for Hamlet and rather uses him as a vessel through which he can punish his brother for poisoning him. The seething, tense atmosphere between the two does not accurately portray the Hercules that Hamlet claims his father was. TL;DR, Hamlet's ghost scared the feces out of me!!!! Not literally!!!!!
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Lydia Woodruff
9/22/2014 05:53:26 am
Were the 1948 ghost and the 1990 ghost put side by side, the contrast in their appearances would be striking. The physical ways the directors chose to portray the dead King are indicative of more than just the technology available at the time; really they show how the director felt about the ghost's intentions, whether the director believed that aspiration was a figment of Hamlet's imagination, and how the director wanted viewers to feel about the situation.
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Evan Williams
9/22/2014 05:55:01 am
In my opinion the best portrayal of the ghost was in the 1990 adaptation, where Paul Scofield played a decrepit old man. In this version the ghost of Hamlet's father seems to be less of a collection of whispers and fantasy-driven fog machines like Oliver and Branaugh offer and more of a heart to heart talk with the ghost of a fallen family member. He was an old, obviously depressed man that was out-played by his own brother. Instead of Branaugh, who made the ghost command Hamlet to revenge his death, Zeffirelli's ghost begs Hamlet to help him, as there is no one else present to aid. This is exactly who the dead king would be, as everyone has moved on from his death.
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Matthew Mercado
9/29/2014 11:45:03 pm
I agree with you that the 1990 adaptation had by far the most friendly and fatherly of interpretation of the ghost. While this works perfectly well for the movie, I believe portraying him in such a light causes this character to lose some depth. In the other versions, due to the more ethereal nature of the ghost, it becomes less clear whether or not he really is the spirit of the father or something more malicious. This uncertainty adds to one of core themes of the play of seeing vs being and deception. This causes me to prefer the other interpretations of the ghost that we saw in the other movies.
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Sabrina Bhattarai
9/22/2014 05:57:57 am
I think the interpretation of the ghost in the 1996 version seems to be a portrayal of the truth that Hamlet is trying to find and that's why he's running through the forest trying to look for him. Once Hamlet gets confronted by this truth he is such disbelief that he seems very scared of what he is figuring out. The ghost seems like he has the has a lot of rage in his voice and he wants revenge for what happened to him. The ghost does seem like a father figure that is guiding what decisions he should make in the future. I think he wishes Hamlet well so that he can go and get revenge for what happened to his father but Hamlet just seems scared of the ghost.
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Winston Baxter-Harwell
9/22/2014 11:20:08 am
I liked the look of both the 1948 and the 1996 Ghost looked good. When I think of a ghost I think of a scary being in a cemetery and both of their character designs are very spooky. The use of close-ups in the '96 version seems to also heighten the importance and otherworldly aspect of the ghost. In the '48 version the director uses the atmosphere and the voice of the ghost to convey the frightening nature of the ghost. In the '48 version they also make the Ghost quite a bit bigger than Hamlet making him more imposing.
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Ben T
9/22/2014 11:33:10 pm
I really like the ghost in the Kenneth Branaugh version. He’s probably the most evil looking ghost out off all three versions. While other versions show old King Hamlet dressed in elaborate robes and attire that you would expect to see a king wearing, this ghost is sporting a very torn up gray robe plus a very malicious looking rusted helmet. His entrance is proceeded by exploding marshland, and his deep and corroded voice seems to be coming from everywhere. Even if you just examine body language its clear to tell that the ghost wants to do Hamlet harm. He describes his death as he towers over a cowering Hamlet. Hamlet is trembling and reacts like a beaten dog every time his dead father steps closer. Pretty neat.
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Chris Jones
9/23/2014 04:47:03 am
The ghost scene in the Kenneth Branagh version of Hamlet is the one that stood out to me the most. I think that because this version was made the most recently the production quality is much higher and it results in a much brighter and more vivid depiction of the ghost. Branagh takes Hamlet out of the castle walls it seems for the ghost scene which is different than the Laurence Olivier and Mel Gibson versions. Hamlet is taken out of his comfort zone and finds himself in a fog filled dark and ominous feeling forest alone, except for the voice of the ghost. The voice of the ghost is made to be so raspy it almost sounds mechanical. This, combined with the original absence of a physical form, works to dehumanize the ghost and give the impression of an evil being. When the ghost of Hamlet's father is finally shown he quickly puts his hand around Hamlet's throat and thrusts him back. Hamlet's father is dressed in a full suit of black rusted armor with his face partially covered by his helmet, a very threatening figure indeed. He stands over Hamlet with his large unnatural presence and judging by Hamlet's face he is clearly intimidated. The ghost speaks with pace and force that makes it seem like he is trying to inflict the same harm upon Hamlet with his words that was inflicted upon him with poison. This malicious figure is stern with Hamlet and his intentions seem manipulative.
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Surya Milner
9/23/2014 05:09:45 am
I also enjoyed the ghost scene of Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet the most. Visually, the ghost scene was portrayed much more vividly than in the others we watched, mostly due to the camera time spent detailing the actual scene of his death. Scenes detailing Claudius' seduction of Gertrude overlayed with the ghost's narrative of what happened made for an especially dramatic and powerful scene. Although this rendition is almost melodramatic to the point of being laughable, as Katy Hanna mentioned, I think it's fitting to the entire premise of Hamlet. The storyline itself is quite surreal and I think the outlandish qualities of Kenneth Branagh's ghost scene correlate with that quite well.
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Vicente Kaufhold
9/23/2014 11:05:19 pm
In the Mel Gibson film, the ghost appears to stay strictly in the shadows, much like the traditional ghost. He refuse to move towards the light, as if motivated by some fear. He also speaks few words, very cryptically telling his tale, yet at the same time he conveys lots of emotion, getting very teary at the thought of his death. In relation to Hamlet, the ghost appears to simply want company. His emotions play this up as he ensures that his story and point get across, to ensure action is taken.
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Sara Stashluk
9/28/2014 03:14:30 am
I really liked Franco Zeffirelli's depiction of the ghost, mainly because he doesn't look like a ghost at all. He seems like he is more of a dream that Hamlet is having rather than an actual ghost, especially when he disappears out of nowhere and Hamlet finds himself alone on the rooftop. Whereas in Laurence Olivier's movie, the ghost is smoky and overall more ghost-like, the Zeffirelli ghost is strangely realistic. This is one of the more emotional ghost scenes because Hamlet actually breaks down into tears at the sight of his father and the revelation that Claudius killed King Hamlet. I believe that the ghost wishes Hamlet well because at the very end he reaches out to Hamlet in an attempt to comfort him. I believe that this depiction of the ghost is actually meant to be a hallucination that Hamlet has rather than the actual depiction of a ghost.
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Matthew Mercado
9/29/2014 11:37:17 pm
I enjoyed the interpretation of the ghost that the 1948 version had. Out of all of the movies, it was the one that seemed the most supernatural. His monotone voice, stillness, and the fact that he hid his face distantly in the fog all work together to improve the ominous and foreboding atmosphere that is required for such a character. I believe that this combination is greater than the sum of the parts. Due to this sense of coldness and other-worldliness, this spirit does not seem like his father, but rather perhaps some malicious demon or delusion in order to cause the downfall of young Hamlet.
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AuthorChristina Swan teaches AP English IV to seniors at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy, in Austin, Texas. In her free time, she likes to watch sci fi shows on netflix. Over the summer she wrote some articles and gave some presentations in a desperate attempt to get media badges to some science fiction conventions. She also taught herself how to sew pants and build bookcases. Archives
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