Macbeth Analysis

Macbeth Analysis

. As a potential director I would like to propose my idea of a modern film version of Macbeth that is relevant to today’s society. In today’s society people can truly appreciate a classic Shakespearian play such as Macbeth through a film production. A modern film version of Macbeth will give viewers an insight into contexts and values of that era but will also bring a classical play to life.

Film remakes of plays such as Macbeth create a link between the ages by creating a balance between the context, characterisation, and cultural/ideological values. A modern film would give people an understanding of the Shakespearian classic by relating themes that both Macbeth and today’s society experience (slide). My film would be based on the mafia which draws relevant parallels with Macbeth in the feudal hierarchy, roles of “nobility”, violence, brutality and the downfall of the good. With supporting film techniques, the film produced would not be a dull and tedious story of Scottish history but rather a reflection of reality to our modern world.  

The modernization and reshaping of the play will occur without too much emphasis on the change of values, characterisation, setting and dialogue as this would disguise the significance of Shakespeare’s exploration into the darkness of human nature. Visual imagery would be used to help convey the themes of good vs. evil by the costumes worn by Macbeth and Duncan. The actor of Macbeth being costumed in darker colours in contrast to the actor of Duncan being dressed in shades of cream and white would be symbolic of Duncan’s integrity and Macbeth’s tyrannical character. Repeated imagery of blood and the colour red in clothing, furniture etc. would illustrate the brutality and chaos that reinforces the feudal hierarchy in Macbeth.  

(Slide) Camera techniques such as close-ups would be used to emphasize the characters emotions and their reflections especially in the case of Macbeth due to his degrading mental state. Long shots would be used to give a sense of location, people in the location and also the situation that they are in. Supernatural themes present in Macbeth would be enhanced and projected by employing SFX and animation to allow the illusions and bizarre magical themes to be more believable and convincing. (Slide) Alterations to settings such as the obvious change in building structures, for example replacing a castle for a mansion, would be necessary as this allows the viewer to be released from the restrictions of sixteenth century Scotland and re-creates it as an experience that can be occur in modern society. Dialogue changes would be made only for the viewers understanding as the essence of the play needs to remain unaltered. These changes would be from Elizabethan to Modern English as there are few who can read and understand the dialogue used in Macbeth.