Gruesome, Unique Twist on Classic Story

Gruesome, Unique Twist on Classic Story

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is similar to the 1971 film dramatization of Macbeth directed by Roman Polanski since the film reinvents Macbeth’s hallucinations, horses breaking free from their stalls, and the symbol of sleep. The two versions differ in terms of the characterizations and of the witches and Lady Macbeth, the amount of violence seen by the audience, and the ending of the play. In addition, most of the film takes place in daylight while most of Shakespeare’s Macbeth takes place at night. Some differences between the two sources are supported by the use of technology and special effects which Shakespeare did not have at his disposal. Although gruesome violence and vulgar nudity in the 1971 movie version is unnecessary, the film is entertaining and breathes in new life into Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Macbeth’s Hallucinations

The motion picture is similar to Shakespeare’s Macbeth since both outline Macbeth’s dagger and Banquo hallucinations. Polanski does this tastefully by using technology to ensure that the illusionary dagger and the bizarre ghost of Banquo look realistic. The movie reconstructs the dagger hallucination which takes place shortly before Macbeth kills King Duncan. Jon Finch, Macbeth in the film, imagines a floating dagger and repeats the well-known Shakespeare lines saying, “is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee” (II. I. 33-34). Finch reaches for the dagger and viewers watch as he grasps aimlessly to discover only thin air. Polanski intelligently re-creates this scene by showcasing the internal stress that Macbeth feels, which manifests itself in Macbeth’s delusions. Wendy Rogers Harper explains in “Polans...

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