![]() The appearance in the mirror is “mad”, but Hamlet might not actually be in reality, rather using his “madness” as an excuse to justify his uncharacteristic behavior. Is Hamlet just putting on this show or is he actually mad? The fact that this scene is filmed as Hamlet’s reflection seems to suggest that Branagh thinks Hamlet is faking it. The mirrors play with the contrast of appearance versus reality. Is it him or his reflection? Is Hamlet himself or is he mad? Meanwhile, Claudius, Hamlet’s evil uncle, and Polonius, Ophelia’s father, are looking on from behind the mirror, which doubles as one way glass. While mad and confused by those around him, and himself to some extent, Hamlet talks into a mirror. The camera only shows Hamlet’s reflection, rather than Hamlet himself. While Hamlet is questioning his existence and what his life has come to, he is looking at his reflection in the mirror. He uses them in many scenes, including one of the most iconic scenes, the To Be or Not to Be soliloquy. The use of mirrors was a smart move on Branagh’s part. Wherever the characters are in the room, reflections can be seen all around them. While the black and white floor tiles and gold accents are pretty, the thing that really stands out are the mirrors that cover the walls and doorways. Hamlet, one of Kenneth Branagh’s earlier films, has many scenes set in the main elegant room of Hamlet's family's castle in Denmark.
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