A comparison of text and a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth Essay

‘From page to stage’- A comparison of text and a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. I have decided to aim my coursework at the scene where Banquo’s ghost appears to Macbeth. I am basing my coursework around the reactions of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, and also the way in which Banquo is portrayed to us in Shakespeare’s play and the performance, which we attended, by the Long Overdue Theatre Company. I am comparing each of these characters from the performance with the way that they are portrayed in the written version. In the TLOTC performance; we receive a calm atmosphere at the time of the banquet, however in the written version more mysterious version is revealed to us. In the production version I don’t feel we were given a very clear image of how Macbeth changed throughout the scene. The text initially portrays an image of how horrified Macbeth is when he sees Banquo sitting at the table. When reading the play we can visualise what’s happening throughout the scene. We can visualise how Macbeth talks to Banquo as though he is fully human and is really there. We see this by the way Macbeth speaks to Banquo, â€Å"Never shake thy gory locks at me.† It is in this way that we can tell clearly what’s happening in this scene. The TLOTC portrays this to us well, I feel that they gave us the clear view of Macbeth’s feelings towards the ghost. I feel that this helped us to realise the fear that Macbeth felt. They showed Macbeth’s actions clearly, he was very shaken and scared, I feel that the tone of voice he used was very effective. I feel that we learn more about Macbeth’s astonishment and disbelief in the TLOTC performance than in the text. Macbeth asks † Which of you have done this?† This shows us that Macbeth is in shock at what he is seeing before him. In the performance we are able to see the facial expressions, I feel that this helps us to get a clearer view at what Macbeth is feeling. Whereas in the written version we can only try and visualise what Macbeth is feeling. The tone of voice use helps us to realise the tension which Macbeth feels. Each time Banquo entered the room Macbeth’s tone of voice changed: it became shaken and very loud. I think that Ben Shockley portrayed this very well in the performance. Macbeth tries to tell the others what he sees before him. He say’s to them â€Å"If I stand here I saw him.† In the written version we can’t tell what type of voice is used so less emphasis is put on Macbeth’s words. The supernatural elements were portrayed to us more clearly in the performance. In the written version Shakespeare gives very few stage directions. In the LOTC production I felt that the sound effects that were used each time Banquo’s ghost appeared were very effective, in the way in which we are able to tell when Banquo’s ghost was appearing. We get none of this build up of tension from the written version. I feel, however, that the written version is much fuller than that of the performance as the impact of Shakespeare’s language was more obvious. This was particularly at the beginning of the scene, where Lady Macbeth seems to have a very calm, patient attitude towards Macbeth. Lady Macbeth says to the others in a calm voice â€Å"Sit, worthy friends, my Lord is often thus.† We can see Lady Macbeth’s attitude change towards Macbeth in both the performance and the written version. When she hears Macbeth speak to the ghost but she doesn’t know who her husband is talking to. Lady Macbeth tries to be strong and reassure everyone that Macbeth’s behaviour should not alarm them, when she says to them: † My lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth.† As Macbeth begins again to talk to Banquo Lady Macbeth’s attitude changes again, she begins to panic a lot more. I feel that the way she was panicking partly was giving away their innocence. Lady Macbeth’s panic is conveyed on stage when she say’s â€Å"Pray you speak not, he grows worse and worse, questions enrage him. At once, good night.† In the LOTC performance and in the written version Lady Macbeth is shown as the stronger person between her and Macbeth. Lady Macbeth begins to get so antagonised that she begins threatening Macbeth’s right to call himself a man: she say’s † What, quite unmanned in folly?† I feel that the performance gives a better view on Lady Macbeth’s strong will to keep her and Macbeth from looking guilty. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth not to worry as she is afraid that all his worrying will give away their innocence. I feel that the blood, which appeared from Banquo’s mouth and nose, helped the audience to visualise Banquo’s presence as a ghost, of a murder man, intent on making his killer suffer.