Philosophy (montage 6)

In asides and soliloquies, Hamlet philosophizes about many subjects throughout the play.
1.2 Like much of his dialogue, Hamlet's very first words in the play are both an aside and a pun. Two months after his father's death, his mother has married Claudius, the new king and Hamlet's uncle. Hamlet burns at this disrespect for his late father. I had Kenneth Branagh's version in mind when I drew this.
3.1 In what is probably the most famous and recognizable line in all of the English language, Hamlet contemplates life, death, and suicide. I prefer versions (such as David Tennant's) that put this soliloquy during 2.2 instead of 3.1 because I feel that Hamlet is in a much darker place emotionally before the players arrive and he forms a plan to catch the king's conscience.
3.3 Overwhelmed with guilt, Claudius tries to pray in Elsinore's chapel. Hamlet is about to kill Claudius but decides against it because if he kills him at prayer, Claudius will got to heaven, while Claudius killed King Hamlet before the latter had a chance to repent. Used this a pose reference: fav.me/d1z0i3q


Ink and colored pencil on paper
© Kristen Kelly 2013