The Invisible Children

      On this past Thursday, April 29th, many English classes went down for an assembly based on a presentation for the "Invisble Children" organization. Two respresentatives, from which we learned from the video they played for the students, who were known as roadies, brought a video for us to watch. It was called "Tony" and I have to say it was one of the most heartfelt videos i Have ever seen. It really makes you realize what others in the world have to go through everyday just to stay alive. Yes, the United States might have many  serious problems, but what about Northern Uganda. The movie was about the genocide going on there, where children have to become child soldiers to fight in the war, started by Kony, to try and fight for their villages. It was extremely upsetting to see the amount of children who died through being forced to be soldiers, when their villages were invaded by the LRS. Many would not think all of this war woulsd be going on, but then again, whose fault is it that many are not informed. However, one summer, a group of high school friends, went to visit Northern Uganda. They actually witnessed what was going on and the amount of supplies and help that was needed. They boys who visited not only witnessed how in the country of Uganda was, but they also met a life-long friend. This friend of theirs' was Tony, although he was going through so much hurt in Uganda, trying to make ends-meet everyday, we all saw that he had so much life to him through this video. Tony was always happy and the funniest, the boys loved him and were extremely upset to say goodbye when they had to leave. One of the friends, who would become the leader of this organization, wanted to make a change. They felt so horribly about the situation in Northern Uganda, that they wanted to do anything and everything to help them. These friends were determined and brought all of the problems to congress. They would soon start groups of a few people to get the word around, and what went from being the group of boys, was a group of hundreds of yound people. All of these youndg people wanted to help and spread the word around of Northern Uganda's stories. These people were known as "roadies," and that is exactly what they did, they traveled everywhere and were always on the road going from schools to other areas spreading the news. They soon were able to bring some young people of Uganda to America, whom accompanied the roadies, telling their own life stories. But the most moving of all, was being able to see that they brough Tony, after years and years of staying in contact with him. The invisible children was growing quick and inspiring many. The leader later brought a bill for Northern Uganda, that was passed and that had stopped the war in Uganda. Though, Kony and his soldiers may have moved out of Uganda, but they could not be stopped and were still on the move to other countries. They need to be stopped and the Invisible Children are trying their best to do everything they can.

"To be or not to be"

Laurence Olivier
In this version of the soliloquy in which Hamlet speaks, the scene is very effective. This actor is on top of a rock speaking to himself in the calmest manner. It is a very dark and cloudy scene, with oceans as the sounds for the background. It is obvious that this character is contemplating between serious actions, his tone of voice was slow the entire time, and at times would pause when looking at different directions.  Though, the turning point of the scene was the appearance of his dagger in his hand. Hamlet made it apparent what he was thinking, and not only could he use this dagger, but he was standing a cliff. They were signs of suicide, the mood changed from calmness, to being very serious with the background music playing even louder. Olivier's version of this scene, was by far my favorite because Hamlet portrayed the almost sadness of this mood so greatly.

Zeffirelli
In Zeffirelli's version of this speech, Mel Gibson, played as Hamlet, did a very good job potraying how torn he was. Hamlet was more dramatic than Olivier's Hamlet because of the way  he knows how and when to change his voice. He begins speaking in a soft tone when entering the dark catacombs of the castle. Although it is during the day, Hamlet would rather be in the dark. Though, he wouldn't want to be, Hamlet is thinking about suicide, how can't he want to be in a dark place. But as he kept walking in further into he catacombs of his ancestors, he came upon a light over a certain tomb. As he walked towrds this certain tomb the light was shining and he seemed to show more despair. The light and the darkness in the scene could have meant the two opposing actions he was thinking, whether to commit suicide or live. This scene of Hamlet's soliloquy is most effective out of all. He shows the right amount of pain he is feeling and the ways in which he is greatly indesicive.

Branaugh
This scene is not dramatic at all. Hamlet whispers to himself the entire time angrily, however being able to make it visible he is very much confused. I do not enjoy the fact that he is looking into a mirror, it makes it different than the rest but i can understand why Branaugh would make Hamlet do this. Hamlet is looking at himself, thinking whether to kill himself or not. It  shows a sign of insanity he could possibly be going through. The music in the background is the only thing that makes this scene dramatic. The sounds are fast beat loud drums until it comes to the point where he takes out a knife, a knife that shows a sign of suicide. Though, when hamlet places the knife to his face there is aflashback, a flahback of his uncle Claudius. It is a coincidence that he thinks of sucide, while then thinking of his uncle, the muderer of his father. Hamlet could possibly believe that the fact that his uncle killed his father, and now Hamlet trying to kill his uncle, is really tearing Hmalet apart to the point where he wants to just kill himself.

Hamlet: The First Ghost Scene

    In Shakespeare's Hamlet, there is a ghost scene with Hamlet and his father, King Hamlet. King Hamlet is the ghost and Hamlet reaches out to speak with him. Then in the film versions of Hamlet, the scenes in the videos portray the actions of both men much better. However, in every scene in each film, every line is the same, wheteher acted in different ways or not. Therefore, in every ghost scene, King Hamlet, the ghost, says the same lines in (Act I Scene 5, lines 42-91). The ghost is trying to tell his son, that he was indeed murdered and did not just die, and most surprisingly by his brother, Hamlet's uncle Claudius, who is now married to his mother. Claudius had gone into the orchard in which King Hamlet had been sleeping in, and had inserted poison into his own brother's ear that caused his death.  Hamlet is astonished to hear that his own Uncle would do such a thing, and now knows what he must do for his father. The ghost will not rest in peace until his own brother is killed.
    The versions of each film play the same scene in different ways. Whether the scenes are acted out differently, with different settings, music or backgrounds. In the first version with Mel Gibson, is acted out by both him and the ghost in a serious tone, on a tower, in a very dark night. There is no music playing in the background but you can get a feel of the gloominess, when the ghost says his lines about what really did happen to him. Though, in the second version with Kenneth Brauna, it is a much. much more dark and horrifying scene. As he is running into the forrest to find his father there are such loud noises and music playing in the background. It is not only dark in the woods but there is smoke rising up from the ground along with the trembling. Then when Hamlet finally finds the ghost, King Hamlet appears with a scarsely look in his eyes and dressed in a complete suit of armour. When this ghost says his lines he looks like he is trying to portray the complete horror of what really happened to him, along with the flashback. The flashback of him and his brother gives a very frightening but very well detailed look of what really happened in tnhe orchard. Both Kennether and his father in that version are much more dramatic than in the first version, almost giving off too much drama. Thus, getting the story of the murder across better.
    In the third film, this version is less appropriate for the ghost scene in Shakespeare's Hamlet. The setting of the scene is on a skyline, modern day city apartment. Even though it is in a modern day area, they are speaking with a language as if they were in the time periods of the other two films. It does not make much sense when used in this type of setting or with these types of actors. But the ghost doesindeed still let his son, Hamlet, know what has truely happened to him. This, obviously gives Hamlet a better understanding of what his uncle, who is now his mother's husband, whom he cannot stand, actually did to his own father. He knows what he should do for his father, like in all the other versions. Though, when explained to by the ghost, is quite scared and surprised. It is better acted out than in the first film with Mel Gibson, though should not even compare to the sencond film with Kenneth Braunna. From viewing all three of the film versions of the Ghost scene, all have drama, but each may be either better or worse than the other in peoples' opinions. However, in my opinion, i would much rather prefer Kenneth Braunna's version of this scene. It leaves you on the edge of what Hamlet will now do with the situation of his Uncle, after hearing the story of what really happen to his father in his horrifying tone of voice. What ever Hamlet might do is all for his father to rightfully rest in peace.