Macbeth, part 19

If you're seeing things running through your head, who can you call?

I love Banquo's ghost. He's one of the most dramatic ghosts out there, popping up all covered in blood and totally invisible to everyone else. I absolutely love the line "Never shake thy gory locks at me!" and try to use it in everyday conversation as often as possible, which is not easy given the general lack of gory lock-shaking that happens on a day-to-day basis.

As far as staging is concerned, there's always a question of whether or not the audience should see Banquo's ghost. After all, nobody else at the dinner can see it. In Ian McKellen's version, Banquo is completely invisible and, for all we know, entirely a product of Macbeth's guilty and disintegrating mind. McKellen goes full-throttle crazy here, and is almost uncomfortable to watch. Very effective.

Ian McKellen's Macbeth

In the production starring Patrick Stewart, director Rupert Goold decided to split the difference. The banquet scene was staged twice, once before intermission and once afterwards. Before intermission, Banquo was visible. After intermission... he was not. In the filmed version they accommodate this by cutting between visible and invisible Banquo.

Patrick Stewart's Macbeth

The winner of the "gory locks" award goes, unsurprisingly, to Roman Polanski's film. 

Jon Finch's Macbeth

Now THOSE are gory locks.

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30

Macbeth, part 18

THE STORY SO FAR: Macbeth has murdered his way to the throne, but he's unhappy because, according to the weird sisters' prophecy, the throne will eventually pass not to his children, but to Banquo's  children. So Macbeth arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to meet with an "accident". The kind of "accident" that involves sharp, pointy objects.

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If there's something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call?

Macbeth
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Macbeth, part 17

It's been a while since we had our last murder. Let's fix that.

Don't ask me who the hooded and masked third murderer is. Nobody really knows. He could just be some random thug hired by Macbeth to boost their number, but directors tend to have more fun with him. In Roman Polanski's film adaptation, he's actually the slippery Thane of Ross, cementing his position as Macbeth's henchman-in-chief. In many other productions he's Seyton, Macbeth's loyal servant, sent along to keep an eye on proceedings. Whoever he is, he's not very nice. 

Anyways... bye-bye, Banquo! Tune in next week, when... *flips quickly through play* ...Banquo comes back??? Oooooooo....

Macbeth
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In other news, I am really excited to have designed some Team York/Team Lancaster bumpers stickers for the American Shakespeare Center's ongoing Wars of the Roses play cycle! You can get them now at the ASC's online gift shop.

Macbeth, part 16

The Story So Far: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have murdered King Duncan and seized the crown. However, they are not happy because it is not their children, but Banquo's children who are prophesied to one day become kings of Scotland. What to do, what to do....

This scene has a couple fun things to watch out for. It's the first time we really see cracks in Lady Macbeth's hitherto formidable armor. She's suddenly very uncertain. Part of this is undoubtedly because Macbeth has been pulling steadily out of her orbit. His refusal here to tell her about his plan to assassinate Banquo is a milestone in their relationship. 

Macbeth also sounds increasingly unhinged in this scene. MURDER DOESN'T PAY, kids. Just keep that in mind.

Macbeth
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Macbeth, part 15

What do you get the man who has everything?

DEAD PEOPLE. That's what you get him. 

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Fun fact: Murders are like Lay's potato chips. You can't commit just one. 

Macbeth
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Macbeth, part 14

THE STORY SO FAR: Macbeth has murdered Duncan, pinned the blame on Duncan's sons, who have conveniently run away, and has become king. THE END. No... wait... not quite the end...

RUN AWAY, BANQUO.

Macbeth
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Shakespearean Halloween Party II

Tomorrow is Halloween! I hope you have your costume ready. If not, here are some ideas:

In case you want more Shakespearean costume ideas, here are some from last year, plus someone who actually tried out one of my ideas:

I didn't get my act together this year, due to St. Crispin's Day craziness, but next year I'm definitely going to do some sort of Shakespearean costume contest. 

Macbeth, part 13

As Macbeth would say, "twas a rough night"...

Nature often gets upset when bad things happen in Shakespeare's plays. In Julius Caesar there is famously a huge storm that foreshadows Caesar's assassination. Here we get a report of all the horrible and unnatural things that happened the night Duncan was murdered. The weather! Nature's way of telling you if a regicide has or will occur!

Tune in next week, when Macbeth uses his new-found power to become a benevolent and progressive monarch who brings peace and stability to Scotland.

HA HA HA just kidding, that totally doesn't happen.

Macbeth
Dramatis Personae | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30