It is a superb performance. My only complaint about it is that he addresses all of his soliloquies to the audience. Such a mode of address is appropriate for some soliloquies (such as those of Richard III), but Hamlet's soliloquies are searingly inward-looking. I therefore wish that Jacobi as the prince had addressed his soliloquies to himself, with the audience listening in on them. (Bob Hoskins in his performance of Iago in the BBC's production of "Othello" is impeccable in addressing his soliloquies to himself rather than to the audience.)
I have said it before: I have a relatively, high IQ and am university educated. And I have not a frigging clue what at least 20% of the words uttered in this play even mean - collectively. I see little point to put on plays when 95% of the population (at least) cannot even understand the words being used. Many of the people that like these plays - as written - are people who like to condescend to others by enjoying things that 'the masses' cannot (imo). Though I HIGHLY doubt that many people who actually claim they understand the entire script? Actually do. Having typed that. It is enjoyable to watch these clips. Thank you for editing and posting them. ☮
Shakespeare WAS mass entertainment. And his language is Early Modern English, which honestly is a relatively small distance from contemporary English. People can understand just fine, especially as there are hundreds of annotated editions of this play alone. It's fair enough if you don't enjoy nor understand it, but claiming everyone who does is faking it for intellectual clout is the attitude of bitter and pretentious buffoon.
Guys I don't think this is meant to be advice!! Throughout the play, Claudius is shown to be unfeeling and even unnatural (think Hamlet's line - 'let me be cruel, but not unnatural') and he is potentially only saying this because it suits him for people to forget Old King Hamlet. When Ophelia + Laertes' father is killed, they seem to act as respective examples of the two main characteristics of Hamlet's grief: madness (in Oph) and revenge/ anger (Laert). Claudius, when he sees these undiluted reactions from them, doesn't know how to react - he doesn't tell them its 'unmanly grief,' because I think he realises the power of these emotions. The whole point is grief is natural and cannot be reasoned away. Yes, Hamlet says to Horatio 'give me the man that is not passion's slave' and yes, it would be easier that way but, sadly, that's not the way people work. (think Branagh also though this - at 0:51 the queen looks down as if she suddenly realises she doesn't agree with Claudius that mourning is 'a fault against the dead') I think this is meant to make you sympathise more with Hamlet as you see the complete lack of sympathy from Claudius - remember his father is not so much as 2 months dead!
Please fix the spelling of his name to the correct "Jacobi", but thanks for posting! He's hands-down the best Claudius I've ever seen, no offense to Stewart and the other greats who've played him.
You know won't get a lot of attention here, the way Jacobi looks. He blends right into the character. He doesn't at all appear the way he does in other films or television shows. He made changes to his hair, his facial hair, and other attributes to the point where you simply forget who he is.
Sorry to disagree but I think there is another view! Throughout the play, Claudius is shown to be unfeeling and even unnatural (think Hamlet's line - 'let me be cruel, but not unnatural') and he is potentially only saying this because it suits him for people to forget Old King Hamlet. When Ophelia + Laertes' father is killed, they seem to act as respective examples of the two main characteristics of Hamlet's grief: madness (in Oph) and revenge/ anger (Laert). Claudius, when he sees these undiluted reactions from them, doesn't know how to react - he doesn't tell them its 'unmanly grief,' because I think he realises the power of these emotions. The whole point is grief is natural and cannot be reasoned away. Yes, Hamlet says to Horatio 'give me the man that is not passion's slave' and yes, it would be easier that way but, sadly, that's not the way people work. (think Branagh also though this - at 0:51 the queen looks down as if she suddenly realises she doesn't agree with Claudius that mourning is 'a fault against the dead'!) Just a thought!
