Before adding the videos, I would like to point out that the overwhelming majority of people who say "to be or not to be" in regular life haven't a clue as to what it means! This video is of a man who takes his Shakespeare very seriously. He puts emphasis on the more "intense" words, and he makes a substantial effort to not break eye contact. He doesn't seem to grasp the meaning of what he is saying because he forces the emotion and doesn't build up or cool down, he stays consistent through his speech. Also, he appears distinctly angry! Hamlet may be emotionally volatile while ranting, but anger isn't the chief emotion. Hamlet sinks himself into an intense, manic depression and expresses it through an eloquent outpouring of words.
The second video is well done. Both videos are independent projects and done by regular people, but that is why they are so interesting. The readers' interpretation of Hamlet is what matters the most. Hamlet in the second video is played by a guy who is obviously not an actor, but should consider being one. He is detached and pondering, or pensive, with his words. The words flow and appear to be the actor's thoughts, not mere lines. I do not imagine Hamlet as an angry, overly tense man burning through dialogue, but as an intelligent, depressed man pondering life and death. The actor in the second video portrays Hamlet in a far better way than any I've seen before.
I completely agree, the actor in the second video is far more realistic than that of the first! I feel this because the first speaks from anger and not passion, but the second one gives much pause as you describe. I really liked how you took two videos performed by people, fans of Shakespeare, displaying their views on how the soliloquy should be acted out, and how they interpret the play. Amazing!
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