Characters / actors
King Duncan
Malcolm Donalbain Macbeth Lady Macbeth Banquo Macduff Lady Macduff Fleance Siward Ross Three Withces |
Gary Sweet
Matt Doran Sam Worthington Victoria Hill Steve Bastoni Lachy Hulme Craig Stott Bob Franklin |
TRADITIONAL plot overview
- King Duncan decides that Macbeth is worthy of the title of Thane of Cawdor after his efforts in combat at the beginning of the play.
- Macbeth, unbeknownst to this, runs into the "weird sisters" (The Three Witches) whilst walking home with close friend Banquo, they tell him that he will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. They also tell Banquo that he will be the father to a long line of Kings.
- Funnily enough, Ross arrives and announces that the current Thane of Cawdor is in fact a traitor, awaiting to be executed. Ross announces Macbeth as the new Thane of Cawdor.
- Macbeth, ambitiously awaits his time to become King. Lady Macbeth, impatient and restless encourages Macbeth to 'man up' and kill King Duncan. Lady Macbeth believes that Macbeth is worthy of the title of King.
- Lady Macbeth decides to host a dinner party - the perfect cover up to allow Macbeth to kill King Duncan.
- Macduff, the next morning finds the body of King Duncan and mischievously, Macbeth kills the guards and frames them for the murder.
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both pleased for the victories after Macbeth is crowned King. Macbeth remembers back to what the Three Witches predicted and remembered they'd told Banquo. Not wanting to disadvantage himself, Macbeth hires hit-men to kill both Banquo and son. Banquo is killed, but his son, Fleance, escapes.
- Looking for inspiration, Macbeth visits the Three Witches again. They emitt three warnings.
One; Watch out for Macduff
Two; No man born of woman is going to hurt you
Three; Don't worry until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane. - Macbeth ignores the second and third prophecies as he believes it's impossible for these to be fulfilled. Macbeth, worried about Macduff decides to rid of any potential dangers - killing Macduff's entire family.
- Macduff, in an attempt to save Scotland from Macbeth's reign, takes Malcolm to visit the King of England and plot with the English Soliders.
- Whilst all of this is happening, Lady Macbeth is becoming extremely overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and anxiety. Unable to handle the stress of living such a manipulative life, she kills herself.
- The last few scenes are extremely interesting and cleverly plotted. The troops had used wood from trees in Birnam Wood (a forest) as camouflage during their fleet. Note that this is the fulfilling of the third prophecy. Macduff, accompanied by Malcolm and troops arrive at the home of Macbeth. Macduff, in fulfilling the second and thus all prophecies, reveals that he was 'untimely ripped' from his mothers womb and therefore, was not technically born of a woman. Macduff decapitates Macbeth.
This plot outline is key in both play and movie, whilst they differ slightly, Geoffrey Wright has closely followed the original plot, however, simply modifying it. Wright swaps knives and daggers for guns are rifles and implies the Macbeth see's the Three Witches whilst in a drunken/drugged state. Personally, I believe that Wright doesn't execute the character of Lady Macbeth to the same extent as Shakespeare does - dissapointing as she was one of the most influential and depicting characters in my opinion.
THEMES EXPLORED IN MACBETH
AMBITION
Definition: A strong desire to do or achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.
This is a theme that is most definitely explored in both play and movie.
While some argue Macbeth's ambition was forced upon him by Lady Macbeth, others disagree, believing ambition is a trait individuals are born with.
Macbeth, so ambitious in his desire to become King, kills almost everyone around him including the family of his best friend. Macbeth's defeats act as fuel for his ambition as he begins to feel invincible in what he can achieve.
Macbeth seconds his reign as King to his personal ambition, it is this very act that see's the death of him.
This is a theme that is most definitely explored in both play and movie.
While some argue Macbeth's ambition was forced upon him by Lady Macbeth, others disagree, believing ambition is a trait individuals are born with.
Macbeth, so ambitious in his desire to become King, kills almost everyone around him including the family of his best friend. Macbeth's defeats act as fuel for his ambition as he begins to feel invincible in what he can achieve.
Macbeth seconds his reign as King to his personal ambition, it is this very act that see's the death of him.
POWER
The concept of power is very interesting in Macbeth.
Taking into account the contextual background to the time the play was written, beliefs and the 'power of God' were extremely relevant. Under the concept 'The Divine Right of Kings,' power was dealt by the God's and he who had carried power and control was at the discretion of the Gods.
Macbeth, by going against this natural will is essentially 'playing God' and according to the myths, he who plays god was messing with the authorities far out of his reach - consequences were to entail.
Taking into account the contextual background to the time the play was written, beliefs and the 'power of God' were extremely relevant. Under the concept 'The Divine Right of Kings,' power was dealt by the God's and he who had carried power and control was at the discretion of the Gods.
Macbeth, by going against this natural will is essentially 'playing God' and according to the myths, he who plays god was messing with the authorities far out of his reach - consequences were to entail.
THE DEPICTION OF WOMEN
Whilst a summary of this one isn't readily available on Schmoop, I believe - and strongly, that Shakespeare's Macbeth stunningly depicts women and the female mind. Lady Macbeth, whilst supporting Macbeth in her best interests appears to push the boundaries as she's submerged in the person she loves. When it all goes wrong, Lady Macbeth keeps a strong front whilst unbeknownst, she's crumbling on the inside. In her efforts to repress her feelings of guilt and anxiety, Lady Macbeth comes to the realisation that she simply cannot control her guilty conscience and unfortunately, kills herself.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all women kill themselves, but I am expressing my belief in the mask women so often put on. Women, as a whole, are stereotyped in being somewhat over controlling and are constantly aiming to please others before themselves. Lady Macbeth, I believe confuses her desires with the desires of those around her. What was the driving force behind her forcefulness in ensuring Macbeth became King?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all women kill themselves, but I am expressing my belief in the mask women so often put on. Women, as a whole, are stereotyped in being somewhat over controlling and are constantly aiming to please others before themselves. Lady Macbeth, I believe confuses her desires with the desires of those around her. What was the driving force behind her forcefulness in ensuring Macbeth became King?
THE SUPERNATURAL
Including the Three Witches, the concept of prophecies, illusions, visions, ghosts and 'floating daggers'
This theme is based heavily on personal interpretation. Those willing to open up to the ideas and submerge themselves in the play are more likely to enjoy and follow along. Those carrying a naive outlook, disallowing themselves to let go and step outside their beliefs or comfort zones are less likely to grasp the plot.
The idea is also based upon the idea of fate. Fate whether it be the common saying everything happens for a reason or fate that is at the hands of the God(s).
Is Macbeth being haunted by ghosts or simple a guilty conscience?
This theme is based heavily on personal interpretation. Those willing to open up to the ideas and submerge themselves in the play are more likely to enjoy and follow along. Those carrying a naive outlook, disallowing themselves to let go and step outside their beliefs or comfort zones are less likely to grasp the plot.
The idea is also based upon the idea of fate. Fate whether it be the common saying everything happens for a reason or fate that is at the hands of the God(s).
Is Macbeth being haunted by ghosts or simple a guilty conscience?