Critical Viewing and Hearing Guide

1. Listen closely. Are certain lines omitted?
   
2. How do the actors use their voices as performance tools? What words would you use to describe the Ghost’s tone of voice? Hamlet’s tone of voice?
   
3. Does the addition of music or sound effects contribute to the drama of the scene?
   
4. Watch closely. What else do the actors do to add meaning and emotion to the words? What gestures, facial expressions, and movements contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between father and son?
   
5. How are props used by the actors to establish Hamlet’s state of mind and the Ghost's attitude toward his son?
   
6. How does the stage/film set contribute to the mood of the scene? Are lights and shadows used in a particularly effective way?