The 1990 version of Hamlet depicts the eponymous character as a temperamental adolescent and focuses more on Polonius’s cluelessness in the situation. He is completely oblivious when Hamlet insults him, saying that “old men have gray beards...their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum, and they have a plentiful lack of wit” (2.2.215-218). In the beginning scenes of the video, Polonius is obsessed with Hamlet mentioning his daughter, believing that it’s a sign of his infatuation. On the contrary, the video in which David Tennant plays Hamlet portrays the titular character in a more childish manner. This version also focuses on Hamlet’s deteriorating mental state, but it is unclear whether he is pretending act this way or he is actually insane. Polonius is used for comedic relief in this version as well, but in a different manner than the other video. In this version of Act 2 Scene 2, Polonius doesn’t act like the overly concerned father who gives long-winded pieces of advice the reader sees in Act 1 Scene 3. Instead, he seems to be a man sent by the king and queen to check on their son’s well being.…show more content… Mel Gibson’s portrayal of Hamlet responds sarcastically, giving an answer just to placate Polonius in hopes that he will leave Hamlet alone. He also says “words” the first two times to himself and the third time aloud to Polonius, who acts as if Hamlet had just given a logical answer. However, David Tennant shows Hamlet behaving like a child, repeating “words” in an increasingly annoyed tone. Polonius responds the way a parent would, as he laughs off Hamlet’s literal answer to his question and rephrases it in a more specific
