Macbeth Film Analysis Macbeth Analysis Macbeth Analysis Essay Analysis of Macbeth Essay

1. Macbeth Film Analysis
Macbeth Film Review
In the 2010 film adaptation of the tragedy Macbeth, Robert Gould – the director – takes a spin on the
Shakespearean play and switches up the setting to add character to the film. While changing the
historical setting is bold and risky, it alludes to a bigger theme: history repeating itself. In a sense
there is a comparison of power struggles during the 11th century and early 1940s. It is not hard to
make these connections within the 180 minutes of the film but some scenes tend to be slow and
repetitive of the message being given. Power is one of the biggest sources of conflict in the film, as
Macbeth (played by the talented Patrick Stewart) is continuously trying to protect his claim to the
throne. Macbeth is clearly compared to Stalin when he goes on a hiatus for power.
The opening science presents viewers with the implementation that war is occurring and a traitor
has been caught. The three nurse, who we later find out represent the three witches, went on to give
Macbeth and Banquo (Martin Turner) a prophecy. Macbeth then goes on a quest to fulfill that
prophesy with the help of his wife, Lady Macbeth (Kate Fleetwood). As he double crosses the
people closest to him, he learns that it is not easy to have so much power. Thus, throughout the
course of the movie, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are challenged by others around them – or so they
think. But as you know, this is a tragedy, meaning nothing good can possibly come out of this film.
Before watching this film, you should know that it takes places underground for majority of the
film. Maybe the director meant for this to be symbolic but it is hard to tell. For example, in one
scene there is a sink in the middle of a hallway. Nothing else, just a sink. This is where I
questioned if they had the budget to make this film spectacular. But I would think a PBS
production would have brought more character to the setting. Also, the film clearly makes
connections to World War II but the setting skips pass showing any aspects of war; except for the
montage of war footage. The only thing used to remind viewers that this is supposed to be during
World War II are the props, mainly the picture of Macbeth. However, Gould produced amazing
camera angles by
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2. Macbeth Analysis
Sigmund Freud displayed heavy interest in Shakespeare's Macbeth (Holland 66). Just like Freud,
multiple psychoanalysts explore Macbeth's mental state. William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth,
develops a character who begins as a soldier and becomes a corrupted leader. Readers of Macbeth
begin to notice the psychological deterioration of Macbeth as he gains more power. Rollo May, a
writer and existential psychologist, distinguishes the five levels of intrapsychic power levels. May
argues that the first level, "survival and sustenance," is simply the power to exist. Further, May
involves the recognition of others and interpersonal esteem as the second power level. On the other
hand, the third level requires true self affirmation used amidst...show more content...
Rollo May, in his book Power and Innocence, explains that "powerlessness corrupts" (2–3). Lady
Macbeth saw the prophecies of the witches, of which Macbeth explained in the letter, as a "promise"
of kingship, but she stated, "Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it"
(1.5.19–20). Lady Macbeth's power thirst lies within this corruption of powerlessness. In Act 1,
Scene 5, Lady Macbeth cries, "unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top–full of
direst cruelty" (48–50). She longs for power and will do anything, cruel or not, to make her ends
meet. May explains, "As we make people powerless, we promote their violence rather than its
control" (2). This unsexed woman initiated the power hunger within Macbeth. She ignited a flame
she is unable to put out, and it was the start of his downfall.
Further, and more directly, Lady Macbeth's push to make Macbeth kill Duncan had the most
noticeable effect on Macbeth's mental state. Prior to killing Duncan, Macbeth stands imagining a
dagger before him (2.1.50). The initial sign of Macbeth's psychological deterioration begins here.
This hallucination is a sign of brief reactive psychosis. The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology
explains this disorder as, "an uncommon acute mental disorder precipitated by an event that causes
intense psychological stress" (56). Even though this heinous act has not been committed yet,
Macbeth is already
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3. Macbeth Analysis Essay
In the beginning of the play Macbeth and Macduff are very similar in many aspects including rank,
leadership, belief, and loyalty. But as the play unfolds, Shakespeare reveals these two characters are
as different as night from day. In this essay I will compare and contrast the characters of the
murderous Macbeth, and the forthright Macduff. I will consider their status within the Scottish
society and the depth of their intelligence. I will also evaluate their actions and their relationships
with other characters, including their families and I will discuss their degrees of ambition.
Macbeth is originally the Thane of Glamis whereas Macduff is the Thane of Fife; and so both men
are highly–ranked generals in the Scottish army and are...show more content...
When he hears the Doctor's medical opinion of his wife, Macbeth sarcastically asks the doctor;
"What purgative drug / Would scour these English hence? Hear'st thou of them?" (5, 3, 55–56). Also
when he learns that his wife has committed suicide, he does not grief for Lady Macbeth because
he is unable to express his feelings. Before she dies, she cries out; "Here's the smell of the blood
still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten / this little hand..." (5, 1, 48–49). His mind is
engaged with the witches promise and therefore hopes that this will protect him.
Macduff's intelligence leans towards irresponsibility when he abandons his family without realising
the danger his actions will cause them. When Macduff goes to England for help in freeing Scotland
from the tyrant Macbeth, and informs Malcolm of the terrible things that have been happening in
Scotland, he says; "Let us rather / Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men / Bestride our
down–fall'n birthdom" (4, 3, 2–4). There is a great sense of urgency in Macduff's words because his
thoughts become obsessive with eliminating Scotland of its evil tyrant rather than focusing on his
family. His suspicion grows after Macbeth's killing of the guards and so he refuses to attend
Macbeth's coronation which leads to the murder of his family.
Macbeth's actions are evil, inconsiderate, and reckless. His actions become apparent when Macduff
asks Ross about how things
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4. Analysis of Macbeth Essay
Analysis of Macbeth
Macbeth, is one of the greatest tragedy plays written by William Shakespeare. It is a rather short
play with a major plot that we had to follow it carefully to understand its significance. The play is a
tragedy about evil rising to power, which ends up corrupting the main characters Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth. In the opening of the play Macbeth is introduced to the audience as Thane of Glamis
and is respected. The witches also play a major part in the play, as they predict the future. Macbeth
moves his way on up to Thane of Cowdor for his bravery in the battle. At first, Macbeth did not
believe in the witches' prophecies as he was told to be crowned king; however he's...show more
content...
2.1. 23–24). With Banquo's knowledge of the witches' prophecy makes him both a possible ally
and threat to Macbeth's plotting. Now that Macbeth seems distrustful of Banquo, it introduces a
conflict especially with the appearance of Fleance, reminding Macbeth of the witches' prediction
that Banquo's children will sit on the throne of Scotland. We realize that if Macbeth succeeds in
the murder of Duncan, he will be driven to still more violence before his crown is secure, and
Fleance will be in immediate and mortal danger. Following this discussion, when Macbeth is left
alone an imagery soliloquy appears into the scene. As Macbeth is getting ready for the deed to be
performed, we read: "Is this a dagger which I see before me,/ the handle toward my hand? Come, let
me clutch thee" (Macbeth. 2.1. 40–41). When reading this, we realize that Macbeth has a vision of a
dagger floating in the air before him, its handle pointing toward his hand and its tip aiming him
toward king Duncan indicating that he will go through the killing of Duncan. With all of this
happening, the plot begins to advance. Up until this scene, everything was being planned by
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but no actions were taken yet. Adding tension to this scene advanced
the plot because Lady Macbeth must signal Macbeth about the right time to enter the king's
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