Analysis of a Classic Shakespeare's Work Macbeth - Essay Example

Macbeth is a timeless ic, as are all works by Shakespeare. More and more recently we are seeing remakes ic old movies, from horror shows such as “Dawn of the Dead”, thrillers such as “King Kong”, fantasy such as “Peter Pan”, and even “Romeo and Juliet”…the list goes on and on. People are paying to see those old movies remade because they are entertaining. But why stop there? This story has all the qualities the public looks for in award winning movies, and in addition has a foundation in classic literature. Why not bring Shakespearian tragedies to life in the 21th Century? Why not bring Macbeth to life in London? Shakespeare’s Macbeth was set in tenth and eleventh century Scotland. It was a rugged land and poor by today’s standards. Our presentation of the setting will change this slightly, and move it to the middle of London, part of what many call the greatest city on earth. It is not the location that makes Macbeth great. It is the way in which the characters react with callousness and indifference to opportunity. We can take those reactions and put them anywhere and achieve the same results. As a matter of fact, contemporary society is a perfect place to relate to the greed which motivated Macbeth. The story of Macbeth is the story of guilt and greed perfectly displayed. What better way to relate those things in modern days than by comparison with commerce and finance. You laugh, you scoff, and I say (in true Shakespearian tone), nay do not laugh. When reading the text of Shakespeares plays, we use whatever description Shakespeare gives us to create a mental picture of a character. We will still use his text to form our characters for example: “For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires: The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4) This is perfect imagery for the deed he considers, and ultimately commits, yet he wishes at the same time to ignore these thoughts and not let them come to light. Corporate business is a cutthroat, backstabbing world. Only the best survive and move to the top. People today are used to these types of battles, and the intrigue and deceit that goes with it. Politics today are still a backstabbing career. Candidates for office often destroy their opponent’s reputations in an effort to win election. It’s much like the war in Macbeth; and just as an army annihilates its enemy the corporate machine or a politician rolls over anything that stands in its path, and overtakes its rivals to assume the throne. A modern audience will make that comparison. Imagine if you would, Donald Trump as Duncan. His second in command and most trusted general is a slightly younger, but still very opportunistic man, named Macbeth played by Viggo Mortensen. Lady Macbeth would be played by Uma Thurman. Additional cast members include; Meryl Streep assumes the role of Hecat, and Macduff is to be played by Jeremy Irons. Duncan’s wife will be played by Catherine Zeta Jones. Macbeth is not simply about greed and guilty. It is also a matter of betraying of loyalty, and loss of honor, and power. It is that which causes Macbeth to feel guilty. Macbeth struggles (not too hard) against the temptation to harm another person, until his desire for power overcomes his sense of loyalty. Once he sets upon the path nothing will stop him. Thus are the Shakespearian qualities of ambition, greed and guilt portrayed for a modern audience. The proposed film has intrigue, murder, and insanity. The fog of London is a perfect setting for the mystic revelations and precognition of the witches. The symbolic gestures and phrases from the original Macbeth must be left in place. Lady Macbeth’s washing of her hands, as she pronounces she cannot get the blood off is an excellent example of a guilty conscience at work. Those of us who have been trained in the western literary tradition are used to reading literary texts in particular ways (linearly, at least initially), and for particular things…Our training teaches us to search for words or verbal patterns which are relatively rare instead of virtually omnipresent--such rarity or distinction being a likely indicator of what the text is really about.  Thus we can recognise repeated references to hands in Macbeth (though in fact the words hand and hands appear only 35 times in a 2,108 line play) and then link these repetitions to what the play is about: guilt and action. (Hope 2004) It will by using keys like this in appropriate places that we will maintain the integrity of the original play, while revamping it as a modern classic. While the language of a Shakespearian play is much more formal than today’s relaxed modes of speech, the rhythm and pulse of Shakespeare’s writing is integral to the force of this production and will not be changed. How could we possibly improve on the works of “the bard”? In keeping with the traditions of the original play the costumes must be period, and fit the setting. In doing so, not only will our version be classic it will become a history lesson, and reiterate that those issues Macbeth struggled with are still prevalent in today’s society. Please notice that we have suggested an all-star cast which will draw interest and fan appeal from all segments of the population. We have taken a timeless plot, packed it with action, and actors and actresses who can deliver stellar performances. It’s a box office success in the making. Bibliography: Enjoying Macbeth, 2005, http://www.pathguy.com/macbeth.htm Hope, Jonathan and Witmore, Michael, Early Modern Literary Studies, 2004, http://www.shu.ac.uk/emls/09-3/hopewhit.htm Macbeth, 2005, http://www.shakespearetavern.com/synop%20macb.html Modern Times, 2005, http://www.moderntimesstage.com/moreinfo/macbeth_detail.html Shakespeare, William, Macbeth Shakespeare Macbeth – Freud on the Macbeths, 2005, http://sunflower.singnet.com.sg/~yisheng/notes/shakespeare/mbeth_f.htm Shakespeare Resource Center, Macbeth, 2005, http://www.bardweb.net/plays/macbeth.html Read More