Paapa Essiedu as Hamlet performing the ‘To be or not to be’ speech from the RSC’s 2018 tour of Hamlet. Find out more about the play at www.rsc.org.uk/hamlet
Never before had a rendition of this Hamlet monologue hit so uncomfortably home to me as this one. This portrayal shows such vulnerable fear and internal conflict that hits like a wrecking ball, reminding me of my own personal journey over the last few years. I never truly understood what was being said until this performance.
Hamlet was a strong and virile character, not a black sissy. He’s not the least bit vulnerable or fearful. Quite the contrary. He is deeply grieved over his father’s death, appalled and disgusted at his mother’s marriage with his uncle, and for some reason that no one can explain, he feigns madness and procrastinates endlessly before he finally avenges his father’s murder. But he always behaves in a manner that is courageous and manly. This portrayal is pathetic.
This magnificent interpretation rips open and reveals deep avenues of thought and feeling. I so appreciate the Jean-Michel Basquiat inspired costume and set. ~ Multiple creative layers of drama.
About time this has been put up! Saw Paapa perform this in Stratford last year - was captivating and immediately became my favourite performance of this most famous of monologues.
Art is and always will be something that is meant to evolve and grow as each generation reflects on its relevance throughout history up to the moment of now. How can we grow how can we feel if we are not allowed to free our minds from societies fears. Ideas, Art, Science, Life is meant to be shared - I believe everyone should respect that. Artists are rebels, those unwilling to stand silent. Thank God.
Wonderful actor. Though I am not into modernists “make-fit” renditions of classical dramas. But what a wonderfully sensitive rendering. Great talent here.
Although a unique choice in delivery, the acting somehow mirrors the emotional aesthetic of the soliloquy in a more authentic way than many performances that I've seen so far
Hamlet, acte III, scène 1 * To be, or not to be, that is the question, Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against the sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep- No more, and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to; 'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished to die to sleep ! To sleep, perchance to dream, ay there's the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil Must give us pause-there's the respect That makes calamity of so long life : For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, The pangs of disprized love, the law's delay, The insolence of office, and the spurns That patient merit of th'unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin; who would fardels bear, To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscovered country, from whose bourn No traveller returns, puzzles the will, And makes us rather bear those ills we have, Than fly to others that we know not of ? Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue a resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pitch and moment With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action.... Soft you now, The fair Ophelia-Nymph, in thy orisons Be all my sins remembered.
It's not great. Essiedu needs to learn to stop replacing the text with so many injections of self-induced emotions. The soliloquy is the ultimate test of an actor's intelligence. This is a disaster. Not every actor is really made for Shakespeare.
Nicely spoken, Paapa, but you clearly have no idea what it means. Like Tennant and the rest, you're just saying the words with feeling and hoping for the best.
I liked his costume, but that was about it 🙈 It seemed moment focused rather than message focused like he was stepping out to return to ways that he had done before rather than following the unique energy of that moment to deliver the monologue authentically. It felt disjointed and forced at times rather than emanating from spirit and experience. I heard he won awards for this role, so perhaps it was an off night.
Give me Gielgud, Olivier, Burton. This is awful. Here, Hamlet is dressed like a clown, a court jester. Is he going to a party? He should be dressed all in black, still in mourning for his father. He should be wearing an “inky (black) cloak”! The gesticulations and grimaces are all wrong. This is a somber meditation on death, it should be spoken in a sober and manly way, while maintaining a sense of the poetic rhythm. This actor lacks the necessary gravitas. He sounds like a gay guy who just broke up with his boyfriend, he’s much too effeminate to play Hamlet.
Even though Hamlet is one of the more effeminate protagonists in the Shakespeare canon? To the point where he has been played by actual women many times over the last couple centuries?
@@wjsproductions1784 Women haven't played Hamlet because he's effeminate. They play Hamlet because it's a challenge. Although some unwisely believe they bring more to the character. They do not.
Olivier wasn't Danish. Neither is Jude Law, David Tennant, Kenneth Branagh, or Jonathan Pryce. Yet all of them managed brilliant performances. It's called ACTING.
To you he is a man of colour who dirties your eyes, you can not see past this mans pigment, where I see beauty, you see a human who is lesser than yourself, but it is the other way around, you are a disgrace to this world, we shall not stand for this racism, now crawl away to whatever hole you came from or enlighten yourself to the world we live in and apologies for your idiocy.
Never before had a rendition of this Hamlet monologue hit so uncomfortably home to me as this one. This portrayal shows such vulnerable fear and internal conflict that hits like a wrecking ball, reminding me of my own personal journey over the last few years. I never truly understood what was being said until this performance.
@@rawangabr3630 lmaoo
Hamlet was a strong and virile character, not a black sissy. He’s not the least bit vulnerable or fearful. Quite the contrary. He is deeply grieved over his father’s death, appalled and disgusted at his mother’s marriage with his uncle, and for some reason that no one can explain, he feigns madness and procrastinates endlessly before he finally avenges his father’s murder. But he always behaves in a manner that is courageous and manly. This portrayal is pathetic.
Mel Gibson did a great version
@@Andy-lm2zp If only Brando had played Hamlet! He would have been perfect. Brooding melancholy and passionate outbursts.
@@stevenyourke7901
“Black sissy.” Ye gods, man.
Essiedu is genuinely one if my favourite Shakespearean actors out there right now. His Edmund was really good too
Something about the way Paapa does this scene which is both beautiful and haunting. Everything is just point perfect.
So far my favourite rendition. I must see the entire production. Chills every time.
This magnificent interpretation rips open and reveals deep avenues of thought and feeling.
I so appreciate the Jean-Michel Basquiat inspired costume and set. ~ Multiple creative layers of drama.
This soliloquy has been recited so many time but this beats them all - this is a lyrical performance. It's like listening to a well done opera.
About time this has been put up! Saw Paapa perform this in Stratford last year - was captivating and immediately became my favourite performance of this most famous of monologues.
Lovely performance, i had goosebumps throughout the scene.
Travelled down from Newcastle just to see this in Hackney. What a performance, so natural and subtle!
had the pleasure of seeing this production...I was amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love this take on young Prince Hamlet
who else is here because of there teachers
To be or not to be 😂
To be or not to be 😂
IM GONNA DO DIS DECLAMTION LMAO
Ye 😂
me
absolutely OBSESSED with his Hamlet, omg
Art is and always will be something that is meant to evolve and grow as each generation reflects on its relevance throughout history up to the moment of now. How can we grow how can we feel if we are not allowed to free our minds from societies fears. Ideas, Art, Science, Life is meant to be shared - I believe everyone should respect that. Artists are rebels, those unwilling to stand silent. Thank God.
Saw this at the hackney empire and was blown away .
I had doubts at first seeing the costuming, but he was brilliant!
BRILLIANT. The way Shakespeare should be done.
Wonderful actor. Though I am not into modernists “make-fit” renditions of classical dramas. But what a wonderfully sensitive rendering. Great talent here.
Absolutely amazing. Perfection.
He does such a good job!
saw this at the lowry a few years ago he's an incredible actor
Wow..he just nails it.
Just took my breath away.
Beautiful.
That was rather good.
Great performance. I think I'll cite performance in my essay
Very touching, moving wonderful.I wish I could see the whole production!
th-cam.com/video/El6dv3Mi8oI/w-d-xo.html ✌🏻
Brilliant! A must see!!!
I’m here fprk because no other teacher took the time to share this with me .
To be or not to be , in my school it was not to be . 😢😢 sad .
He is phenomenal
Certainly a different approach. It shows Hamlet's fears.
Twas a cool show
So good. I like it! :)
Beautiful interpretation! Superb!
wow, my bby snapped
Branagh this Olivier that LOOK AT THIS MAN
Can someone tell me why he's covered in chalk paint?
This is after he's feigned madness. His madness was shown by throwing paint about the place.
That geezer's great
Brilliant
Good performance
This is painful and exquisite.
I'm here because I just read this segment from the book, "A Poem A Day" edited by Karen McCosker and Nicholas Albery.
A TRUE TREAT INDEED!
☆☆☆☆☆
😎
That is the correct answer
shit bangs. this soliloquy hits way harder in a british accent
Here because he is amazing as Kwame.
Later I am in a Shakespeare competition. I am doing this monologue. I’m terrified.
how did it go
"RSC’s 2018 tour of Hamlet" But this video was published in 2017.
I love it
💞
Anlamadım ama anladım ✅
Although a unique choice in delivery, the acting somehow mirrors the emotional aesthetic of the soliloquy in a more authentic way than many performances that I've seen so far
Katie E I thought it was great too; but, the delivery is not all that wildly unique.
Actually, I thought this rhymed with Sphinx.
untill 0:43 was he scratching his back hole ?
some one please let me know i mean is that scripted in the play itself??
Hamlet, acte III, scène 1 *
To be, or not to be, that is the question,
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against the sea of troubles,
And by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep-
No more, and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to; 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished to die to sleep ! To sleep, perchance to dream, ay there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil
Must give us pause-there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life :
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of disprized love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th'unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin; who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country, from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have,
Than fly to others that we know not of ?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue a resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.... Soft you now,
The fair Ophelia-Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remembered.
we are the crowd
I didn’t know Sesame St did Shakespeare
If y’all want I’ll post how to do this on my TH-cam
Basqauit?
So, it looks like the ghost of Basquiat painted the set.
It's not great. Essiedu needs to learn to stop replacing the text with so many injections of self-induced emotions. The soliloquy is the ultimate test of an actor's intelligence. This is a disaster. Not every actor is really made for Shakespeare.
This is not how it was original performed with such exageration.Look for the “original pronounciation” editions at the Globe
Jesus
No teachers allowed...
Nicely spoken, Paapa, but you clearly have no idea what it means. Like Tennant and the rest, you're just saying the words with feeling and hoping for the best.
wuz Shakespeare an shit.
SORRY..JUST DOSNT WORK....FOR ME
I liked his costume, but that was about it 🙈 It seemed moment focused rather than message focused like he was stepping out to return to ways that he had done before rather than following the unique energy of that moment to deliver the monologue authentically. It felt disjointed and forced at times rather than emanating from spirit and experience. I heard he won awards for this role, so perhaps it was an off night.
Tennant did it better. Just saying.
No one’s gonna be mad at you for having that opinion. They’re both great!
Much too "mannered."
To be or nots to be...dat be de question homey
Not good
Terrible over-acting.
Give me Gielgud, Olivier, Burton. This is awful. Here, Hamlet is dressed like a clown, a court jester. Is he going to a party? He should be dressed all in black, still in mourning for his father. He should be wearing an “inky (black) cloak”! The gesticulations and grimaces are all wrong. This is a somber meditation on death, it should be spoken in a sober and manly way, while maintaining a sense of the poetic rhythm. This actor lacks the necessary gravitas. He sounds like a gay guy who just broke up with his boyfriend, he’s much too effeminate to play Hamlet.
Even though Hamlet is one of the more effeminate protagonists in the Shakespeare canon? To the point where he has been played by actual women many times over the last couple centuries?
Wow, they really let anyone write any old tripe here, don't they?! Your ignorance is amusing.
@@wjsproductions1784 Women haven't played Hamlet because he's effeminate. They play Hamlet because it's a challenge. Although some unwisely believe they bring more to the character. They do not.
@@drymant why not?
@@drymant Oh really? Please elaborate.
Dislike this performance
I'm surprised the RSC missed the fact that Hamlet is a Danish prince.
Hamlet is a fictional character in a fictional story. Nothing wrong with changing up the setting, there have been enough traditional ones.
crazymaner2003 Dont be Racist
It's clear that your cultural level is very poor.
Mate...
Olivier wasn't Danish. Neither is Jude Law, David Tennant, Kenneth Branagh, or Jonathan Pryce. Yet all of them managed brilliant performances. It's called ACTING.
Bloody awful. More like Hamlet Prince of the 'Hood!!
Still Better then 90 % of the White Boys I have ever seen play the role...come one man!
Stop being racist
To you he is a man of colour who dirties your eyes, you can not see past this mans pigment, where I see beauty, you see a human who is lesser than yourself, but it is the other way around, you are a disgrace to this world, we shall not stand for this racism, now crawl away to whatever hole you came from or enlighten yourself to the world we live in and apologies for your idiocy.
@@nathankelly2126 well said , mate👏
Give it a rest