The use of "Lady Macbeth" as a byname nowadays is very common, especially in politics. Her special role, her courage, pride and demeanour impress us in such a way that we still compare a fictional character to real women who have similar characteristics, like the First Lady for example. The power and influence the First Lady has on her husband the President is sometimes underestimated, as it also happened with Lady Macbeth in the tragedy.
In the United States, the role of the First Lady is more important than anywhere else. During the election campaign, she supports and encourages her husband and also assists him in the presidency. Edith Wilson, for example, substituted for her husband Woodrow Wilson when he was ill in 1919, and adopted the executive power of the U.S. government. The reason Smith and Cook compare Mrs. Wilson and other First Ladies with Lady Macbeth is not arbitrary. Already in the original of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, first performed in 1606, he represented Lady Macbeth as a very strong and influential woman and wife with a special firmness of character.
The popularity of the character and the tragedy itself brought forth many different productions and adaptations. There are a lot of ways to understand, interpret and implement Shakespeare’s tragedies into movies and stage productions. Each production pursues its own concept in staging and how the story shall be presented. Therefore, the production company chooses a director and cast who can opine their conception in the best way. Hence they have the difficult and honourable task to implement this distinguished piece of work into a film or theatre production.
Marion Cotillard and Samantha Spiro, who were both cast for a Macbeth production, are two completely different actresses in their mannerism, look and acting style, but the companies thought that they were perfectly suited for the role of Lady Macbeth and so they had the difficult task to play her. Marion Cotillard had already received many awards for her acting and became a very popular Hollywood actress during the final years. She played Lady Macbeth opposite Michael Fassbender in the 2015 film production by Justin Kurzel. Samantha Spiro played Lady Macbeth at the Globe theatre in London in 2013. This production was the directorial debut of Eve Best.
Table of Contents
- Introduction and Question
- Powerful Lady Macbeth - between femininity and masculinity
- Samantha Spiro as Lady Macbeth – between femininity and masculinity
- Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth – only femininity and no masculinity?
- The influence of children for Lady Macbeth’s character
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the portrayal of Lady Macbeth in two different productions: a 2013 stage production at the Globe Theatre and a 2015 film adaptation. The analysis will compare and contrast the characterizations of Lady Macbeth by Samantha Spiro and Marion Cotillard, respectively, focusing on their interpretations of Lady Macbeth's femininity and masculinity, and how these interpretations are influenced by the overall production concepts. The paper will explore the character's complexities as a woman, wife, and potential mother.
- The duality of Lady Macbeth's character: exploring the interplay between her femininity and masculinity.
- Comparative analysis of two distinct performances of Lady Macbeth: highlighting the differences and similarities in their portrayal.
- The impact of directorial choices and production styles on the characterization of Lady Macbeth.
- The role of the speculated presence of children in influencing Lady Macbeth's actions and motivations.
- The audience's emotional response to Lady Macbeth and the factors that contribute to sympathy despite her cruel actions.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction and Question: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing the enduring relevance of Lady Macbeth as a cultural figure, particularly in the context of powerful women in politics. It highlights the inherent differences between stage and film adaptations of Shakespeare's work and uses the contrasting portrayals of Lady Macbeth by Samantha Spiro and Marion Cotillard as a case study to examine how different interpretations can shape the character. The chapter poses key questions about the actresses' performances, the influence of directors, and the overall impact of production style on the character's portrayal.
Powerful Lady Macbeth - between femininity and masculinity: This chapter delves into Shakespeare's portrayal of Lady Macbeth, emphasizing the dynamic shift between her feminine and masculine traits. It lays the groundwork for the subsequent detailed analysis of Spiro and Cotillard's performances, referencing critical perspectives on Lady Macbeth's complex character and anticipating the contrasting interpretations that will be examined in the following sub-chapters.
The influence of children for Lady Macbeth’s character: This chapter explores the impact of the fictional presence of children in shaping interpretations of Lady Macbeth's character. It contrasts the Globe production's reliance on audience interpretation with the 2015 film adaptation's inclusion of a deceased child as a crucial element in shaping Lady Macbeth's motivations and actions. The chapter analyzes how the inclusion of this element adds a layer of complexity and elicits a more compassionate response from the audience, tempering the repulsion associated with her actions. This exploration draws on Shakespeare's text and commentary from scholars to address the ambiguity surrounding the existence of Macbeth's children within the original play while clarifying the director’s rationale in the film version.
Keywords
Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare, theatre, film, performance, character analysis, femininity, masculinity, ambition, power, guilt, motherhood, Samantha Spiro, Marion Cotillard, stage production, film adaptation, directorial interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Lady Macbeth Portrayals
What is the focus of this analysis?
This analysis focuses on comparing and contrasting the portrayals of Lady Macbeth in two distinct productions: a 2013 stage production at the Globe Theatre starring Samantha Spiro and a 2015 film adaptation starring Marion Cotillard. The core of the analysis lies in examining how each actress interprets Lady Macbeth's femininity and masculinity, and how these interpretations are shaped by the overall production concepts and directorial choices.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
The key themes include the duality of Lady Macbeth's character (femininity vs. masculinity), a comparative analysis of the two performances, the impact of directorial choices and production styles, the role of (speculated) children in influencing Lady Macbeth's actions, and the audience's emotional response to the character.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into chapters covering an introduction and the posing of key questions, a detailed exploration of Lady Macbeth's femininity and masculinity in the two performances, and a dedicated chapter analyzing the influence of the fictional presence of children on the character's portrayal and audience perception. The analysis also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
How do the two performances of Lady Macbeth differ?
The analysis will highlight the differences and similarities between Samantha Spiro's and Marion Cotillard's interpretations of Lady Macbeth. It will explore how their individual choices, influenced by the directorial vision and the medium (stage vs. film), shape the overall characterization, particularly regarding the balance between her feminine and masculine traits.
What is the role of the (speculated) presence of children in the analysis?
The analysis explores the impact of the fictional presence or absence of children on the interpretation of Lady Macbeth's character. The Globe production leaves it to audience interpretation, while the 2015 film adaptation explicitly includes a deceased child, impacting Lady Macbeth's motivations and potentially eliciting more compassion from the audience.
What is the significance of the chosen productions?
The selection of the Globe Theatre production and the 2015 film adaptation provides a compelling comparison, highlighting the impact of different mediums (stage vs. film) and directorial styles on the portrayal of a complex character like Lady Macbeth. It allows for an in-depth examination of how different interpretations can significantly alter audience perception.
What are the overall conclusions of the analysis?
While the detailed conclusions are presented within the full analysis, the overall goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how diverse interpretations of Lady Macbeth can shape our understanding of the character, her motivations, and the audience’s emotional response to her actions. The analysis aims to illuminate the interplay of performance, direction, and medium in shaping our perception of this iconic Shakespearean figure.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare, theatre, film, performance, character analysis, femininity, masculinity, ambition, power, guilt, motherhood, Samantha Spiro, Marion Cotillard, stage production, film adaptation, directorial interpretation.
- Quote paper
- Lukas Jan (Author), 2016, The Different Representation of Lady Macbeth’s Character and Performance in a Stage and a Film Production, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/418741
