The 2015 film Macbeth is a visual adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Overall, the film is very enticing with its well founded color choices for certain scenes and musical effect throughout the film. For the most part, the film does not stray from the original play even going so far as to use the exact language Shakespeare wrote in the play. However, the film does exceedingly well in forming the setting for the audience and making it more captivating. One certain scene from the film that is executed more emotionally is the part where Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost. Not only did the actor exaggerate the emotions of Macbeth well, but the portrayal of the scene was also done well with lighting and a suspenseful silence. Additionally, Macbeth’s
As the play progresses, the consequences of Macbeth’s deep seated guilt assume such gargantuan and vivid proportions that they actually get personified as the apparition of Banquo that materializes before Macbeth, as he sits amidst the mos...
“O! yet I do repent me of my fury, That I did kill them.” (2.3.103-104). Macbeth was very fearful that the servants would remember what had happened to Duncan if they were still alive, even though Macbeth set them up to make them appear guilty. Again, near the end of the play, Macbeth is having more and more hallucinations now and they are happening more frequency, “It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood” (3.4.121). At the inauguration dinner for Macbeth being crowned king, Banquo’s ghost sits in the current King’s chair and Macbeth beings to become agitated and loses his composure around the Thanes and other Lords; at that time, Macbeth feels pressured by the sins he has committed in the past.
The Macbeth trial broke out in full force today as the entire nation of Scotland paid close attention to the small town court of Grahacknboroughsly, Scotland. The charges are for abuse of power, abuse of wealth, abuse of friendship and misuse of a regal Scottish accent. As the parade of people came into the courthouse, 2/3rds of them were enemies of Macbeth. The motion to dismiss came early on grounds of permanent death on Macbeth’s defense team. The motion was quickly dismissed as Macbeth was being quite lively for a dead King. The motion was not helped by the “deceased” ordering the judge to “Lemme free, drop the charges and get a haircut.” The defense motion was further weakened by the comment, “the judge can kiss my giant, royal behind.”
In his book, On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy, H. S. Wilson says that the ghost of murdered Banquo has the greatest emotional impact on Macbeth of any adverse experience:
Undoubtedly, the vision that Macbeth perceives suggests that Macbeth believes in this delusion because of his insanity. The judgment of Macbeth establishes an imbalance within his mind, which accounts for the mistakes he undertakes. Certainly, Macbeth’s invention of the dagger alters his thoughts and actions, revealing that figments can lead one to his or her downfall. Last of all, Macbeth’s outrage upon Banquo’s ghost exemplifies how he has transformed into an insane figure, just by the factor of ambition. At the banquet, the Ghost of Banquo confronts Macbeth before the nobility and he furiously breaks out into, “Avaunt!
Banquo's ghost highlights Macbeth's hypocrisy, when he tries to deceive the others at the banquet, at drinking a toast to his friend Banqo, making him realise that he cannot easily hide behind pretence. All these forms of the supernatural help to play a huge roll in the destruction of Macbeth, and without the supernatural, the play would not be as interesting and exciting, and also would not end with the same disastrous consequences. The supernatural causes Macbeth to betray his king, as well as becoming a traitor to his own country, which he certainly would not have done if he were his own self. The supernatural therefore shapes the events of the play; while the narrative gives the audience and readers insight into the central characters, and makes them feel emotionally involved in the story.
In scene one, the setting is revealed. It is late, past midnight, and there are no stars, making extremely dark and a dramatically perfect opportunity to commit murder. In any good horror movie, all the deaths occur at night, when it is dark. The location is a castle, which would have to be the eeriest, coldest, darkest piece of architecture ever constructed. Banquo’s “cursèd thoughts” (II, i, 8) keep him without sleep, in exact contrast with the eternal sleep Duncan will soon begin. Then, as Banquo retreats to his quarters, Macbeth’s imagination and intensified emotional exhaustion and strain generate a looming image of a dagger pointing to Duncan. “I see thee still . . .” (II, i, 35), he yells at the vision, creating a sense of madness. Again, “I see thee still . . .” (II, i, 45), but this time the hallucination is glistening with blood (and in all likely hood, that of Duncan). He casts this apparition aside and awaits his signal to make the final walk into his beloved king’s chambers. The bell rang by Lady Macbeth interrupts this thick, tense mood and startles the audience to either jump out of their seat or creep slowly to the edge of their seat. This also related to a popular sermon of the same time period, Meditation 17 by John Donne. A famous excerpt from it reads, “. . . and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee . . . ” (Donne, 284).
Following this murder, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost at the banquet. He is filled with feelings of regret and, as a result of his troubled mind, sees Banquo's ghost.
Seeing the ghost of Banquo is the breaking point for Macbeth. The ghost also causes him to think more irrationally, which leads to the murder of Macduff. Also, after the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is full of regret and guilt. The voices he hears reflect his mental state. “Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!”
Often times, directors take timeless works of literatures and make them more relatable to modern audiences. Creating a good adaptation is very difficult, the new product must be different from the original to make it relatable, however still be similar enough to recognize as the first edition. Due to changing times, many of Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted into movies. One of the most adapted plays by Shakespeare is Macbeth. This classic sets a high standard to live up to, however the film Scotland, PA comes close. This adaptation takes the plot of Macbeth and makes the setting to the more relatable 1970s about the first ever fast food restaurant. Scotland, PA is a good adaptation of Macbeth because it is different enough from the play to make it more relatable, while still keeping important details to keep the story true to the book.
Macbeth was once confident since Banquo died but is insecure again because Fleance is still alive. Macbeth tells the murderer that they will continue to discuss this tomorrow since he has to tend to his guests. Macbeth starts off with a toast to his guests for good appetites, digestion and good health. Lennox then invites Macbeth to sit at the table but he starts to see the ghost of Banquo sitting down. Macbeth sees the ghost shaking his gory locks at him, which shows Banquo’s head with gashes and covered in blood.
Macbeth’s hallucination of a dagger signifies how Macbeth, not only misleads others around him, but he also deceives himself to take action and kill King Duncan. During Macbeth’s first soliloquy, he cries, “is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee” right before killing the sleeping king (II.1.33-34). Macbeth convinces himself that a regicide is lawful, by hallucinating a dagger ready for him to use, and by doing so he diminishes the dreadfulness of murder by making it seem necessary because he must fulfill the witches prophesy for him to be king. Macbeth envisions the ghost of Banquo, and that distorted appearance reveals the truth of Macbeth’s compunctious. During the banquet that takes place after Banquo’s murder, Macbeth yells to the ghost of the man he kills, “thou canst not say I did it; never shake / Thy gory locks at me!” (III.4.50-51). Macbeth’s reaction to Banquo’s ghost divulges his perturbed character, presenting the idea that the murderer hides his identity. Macbeth’s vision of the apparition of a crowned-child holding a branch indicates that an actual event can happen even through a seemingly impossible prophesy. During Macbeth’s second visit to the witches, they foretell that “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Duninsane Hill / Shall come against him” (IV.1.91-93). Macbeth believes the woods
In Macbeth, Shakespeare confronts audiences with universal and powerful themes of ambition and evil along with its consequences. Shakespeare explores the powerful theme of the human mind’s decent into madness, audiences find this theme most confronting because of its universal relevance. His use of dramatic devices includes soliloquies, animal imagery, clear characterisation and dramatic language. Themes of ambition and mental instability are evident in Lady Macbeth’s reaction to Macbeth’s letter detailing the prophecies, Macbeth’s hallucinations of Banquo’s ghost and finally in the scene where Lady Macbeth is found sleep walking, tortured by her involvement.
In Act 3, Scene 4 of Macbeth we are able to identify the disintegration of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s characters in the overwrought scene. Throughout this scene Shakespeare uses a range of techniques to present their conflicting characters, creating dramatic tension. From the darkness of Banquo’s murder in the previous scene, there is a sudden tonal shift, as the scene abruptly changes to the bustle of the banqueting hall. The “Banquet Scene” is one of the most engaging scenes as it may be considered to be the pivotal point of the play. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth need the banquet to be a success as this is the first time they will be presenting themselves as monarchs and the rightful successors to the throne before society. However, this creates a sense of fundamental irony as the audience is aware that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are illegitimate figures and falsely usurped the crown. There is also a sense of comic relief as Macbeth publicly humiliates himself when he is confronted supernaturally by his sins. It is interesting to observe the changes within the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and their shifting relationship after the appearance of Banquo’s ghost.
However, this experience is not one that gives him courage or ambition but one that gives him fear, enough to make a man go mad. At the party, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost which he describes as “a bold one that dare look on that which might appall the devil” (III.vi.63). He begins to act like a madman in front of all those loyal to him and reveals that Banquo is dead. Despite Lady Macbeth’s attempt to cover up his act by blaming it on a childhood illness, Macbeth’s followers begin to lose question their king, lose trust in him, and even wonder if he is the one who murdered Duncan. After the banquet, Macbeth seeks the witches out of their cave so that he can learn more about his future and silence those who are plotting against him despite what the consequences may be. This reveals that Macbeth has completely fallen for the witches prophecy. There, he sees a line of eight kings followed by Banquo’s ghost. The last king holds a mirror to reflect a never-ending line of kings descended from Banquo. When he sees this, he exclaims“ thou art look like the spirits of Banquo: down!” (IV.i.123). This vision confirms that Banquo’s descendants inherit the throne and contributes to Macbeth’s anxiety, fear and to his further loss of control. He becomes even more insecure about his position as king and can no longer make his decisions