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Shakespeare's Macbeth: Differences Between The Play And The Movie

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Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is a classic tragedy that has been performed for centuries and has had many adaptations. The 2015 movie adaptation directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Michael Fassbender as the Scottish lord Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth. While the movie states true to the basic plot and characters of the play, there are some differences in how the story is presented. The first difference between the movie and the play is the visual style. Kurzel’s Macbeth is a dark and gritty film with desaturated colours which creates a bleak and oppressive atmosphere. In contrast, Shakespeare uses language to create the sense of foreboding and doom that permeates the story. In Act 1, scene 1, the three witches speak in rhyming …show more content…

In the play, Macbeth is a complex and conflicted character whose descent into madness is gradual. Shakespeare’s language allows readers or viewers of the original play to see inside the mind of Macbeth and understand his motivations. In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth struggles with his conscience as he contemplates killing King Duncan. “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well, it were done quickly (1.7.1-2).” In the 2015 movie, Fassbender’s Macbeth is a brooding and intense figure whose inner turmoil is conveyed through his physical presence. There are several scenes where Macbeth is shown alone, staring into the distance or pacing as if wrestling with some internal demon. Lady Macbeth is another who is portrayed differently. In the play, Lady Macbeth is a powerful and manipulative figure who goads her husband into committing murder then she herself covers it up. Her famous soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 5 in which she calls on spirits to “unsex” her and fill her with “direst cruelty” is a chilling portrayal of a woman who is willing to sacrifice her own humanity for the sake of ambition. “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty (1.5.47-50).” In the movie, Cotillard’s Lady Macbeth is a more sympathetic character who seems to love her husband and is haunted by his

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The movie by Roman Polanski doesn’t follow completely the movie setting. For example the duel between Macbeth and Macduff had a humorous side. The acting of the Actors was not the best and it could have possibly been better. Shakespeare introduced Macbeth as a hero, but on the film the acting from the actor John Finch (Macbeth) did not reflect this trait on his character.

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Through the comparison and contrast of characters, key plot events, and resolutions in literature the audience/reader is capable of better understanding the work. The play written by William Shakespeare, Macbeth, represents how the corruption of power and greed can turn someone evil. This can be compared to the film, The Tragedy of Macbeth, produced by Joel Coen, Frances McDormand and Robert Graf which has the same theme. The film and play can be compared to one another in many aspects, as well as, differ from each other to either create intensity or leave out unimportant details.

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Just because it is the same story, that does not mean it has to be told the same way. The play Macbeth is seen how Shakespeare intended it to be played. Since the play was written there have been many other versions of Macbeth. In the film Macbeth, Kurzel depicts aspects of the play into the film, but he changes many things about the characters and the setting.

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Compare and Contrast Macbeth and Film Act 1 scene 1: The 3 witches recited a spell or curse right away instead of starting with the first line in the play, “When shall we meet again..” (Shakespeare, 302). The second version we watched was less dramatic than the 1948 movie.

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Shakespeare Macbeth's final act starts as Lady Macbeth enters a trance with a candle in her hand. She seems to see blood on her hands and claims that nothing will ever wash it off. She leaves, and the doctor and gentlewoman marvel at her descent into madness. As Rupert Goold and Joel Coen's adaptations of Shakespeare's Macbeth are filmed in various ways despite being based upon the same play. As Rupert Goold 2010 portrays Act 5 scene 1 version of Macbeth Rupert Goold uses a big dark room with shadows and an ominous elevator to give the setting an unsettling tone.

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Different Cinematic Portrayals of Macbeth Not only has Shakespeare’s, Macbeth, been told through page but also through the theater, opera, and the magic of Hollywood. Many writers have attempted to bring Shakespeare to audiences many a times with new settings set throughout time. There are a plethora of adaptations of Macbeth, some brilliantly made, others that weirdly work, and some that just should have never been allowed to have been made but there is no doubt that each one allows the viewer to dive into William Shakespeare 's original story. One of the most unconventional versions of Macbeth would be the 2006 film, Macbeth, created by Geoffrey Wright.

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Caylee Penka Ms. Dodd English 12 May 3, 2023 Macbeth Scene Comparision Essay Every choice has a consequence, every action has a reaction, every cause has an effect. This ongoing cycle is made clear with the characters in William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Macbeth. Act V, scene i of Macbeth holds particular interest for the character Lady Macbeth and her dramatic change from who she is early in the play, to who she is by the end. The 2010 movie version of the play, directed by Rupert Goold, starring Patrick Stewart as Macbeth and Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth, stays true to the story even with differing artistic choices.

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Shakespeare's portrayal of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is very different, even though it may seem like they are more similar on the surface. At first glance, it looks like they are only two murderers who were corrupted by power and both became insane in the end. However, the audience’s reaction to them is not similar at all. This is because no matter how similar they appear, their characters are as different as night and day.

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Filmed in 1998, the made for TV movie “Macbeth” tells the story of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. They take a more modern spin on the old play by keeping the story the same but, changing their outfits, the time frame as well as the scenes. The movie keeps close to the roots of the play by continuing to use the play's original script so the movie is spoken in old English. However; as it was filmed close to nineteen years ago the movie is quite outdated for 2017. Leaving me quite bored and, wishing for more at the end of the film.

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Although as the theme of the play demonstrates, appearance is not always what is seems and this, can be clearly seen through lady Macbeth’s character change from before being crowned queen and after being crowned queen. From the very beginning Lady Macbeth is portrayed evil, which is an overview that the audience see, but the bigger picture is often not looked at. When Lady Macbeth performs her soliloquy to call on the spirits to, “Come, spirits that tend on mortal thoughts /unsex me here,” (Act 1, scene 5, line 38-39). Another interpretation of this soliloquy is that she actually needs the help of spirits to make her stronger. If she already were cruel and evil, she would not need to take the help of spirits to “ unsex her” which signifies her willing to loose her female personality and gaining strength and courage in return.

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PBS’ version of Macbeth is an exceptional adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. The setting, the actor’s interpretations, and the unique take on the witches all came together to make a memorable film. The first aspect that makes this adaptation stand out is the setting. This version of Macbeth takes place in World War II, and it works perfectly with the original script. The dark lighting and the gruesome images around the actors help to portray the dark mood to the viewers.

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Ana Rangel 2/27/17 Period 3 Comparison Essay The play, “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” by William Shakespeare has many differences in the setting than the movie, “Throne of Blood,” directed by Akira Kurosawa. There are many noticeable differences in the play and movie which make the plot different from one another. Macbeth and Throne of Blood are the same story, but different setting.

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“Come, you spirits, That tend on mortal thoughts,/unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full/ Of dire cruelty” (1.5.41-44). Lady Macbeth is the personification of male dominance, ruthlessness and violence. She hopes that she could take control of all action. She yearns to be a man and her implication is that she is more masculine than Macbeth. Her drive and violent nature is more akin to men and their masculinity.

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As the Macbeth’s portray the opposite of social constructs and expectations in the play, they eventually fall into their belonged stereotype after Lady Macbeth slowly starts to spiral downhill. Once Macbeth feels as though someone is in the way of him becoming King, he instantly creates a plan to murder them like Lady Macbeth did with Duncan. As they eventually take up each others common behavior, Lady Macbeth drives herself to insanity due to her womanly feelings. “I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon ’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.” , she is seen sleepwalking and participating in strange activities due to the insanity driven from guilt (5.1.4-6).

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Celia Beyers Tinti Period 1/5 12 April 2015 Literary Analysis: Macbeth In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, he presents the character of Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is shown, as a character that schemes into making rebellious plots. She reveals the desire for wanting to lose her feminine qualities in order to be able to gain more masculine ones.

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