Screening of Macbeth
This blog is written as a thinking activity task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. Here is the link to the professor's article for background reading.Click here
Q.1: How Faithful is the Play Performance to the Original Macbeth?
The Globe Theatre's production of Macbeth, directed by Eve Best and starring Joseph Millson as Macbeth and Samantha Spiro as Lady Macbeth, remains impressively faithful to Shakespeare’s original text. The play is performed using Shakespeare's language, preserving the poetry, structure, and key soliloquies that define the original tragedy.
Unlike heavily modernized versions, this production embraces the authentic Elizabethan atmosphere. The actors wear Jacobean-style costumes, and the stage is almost bare—relying on the power of speech, movement, and audience imagination, much like it would have been in Shakespeare’s time. The dialogue is spoken in full, without major cuts, keeping the essence of the original script alive.
However, the director introduces subtle touches of modern emotional expression and light humor in some scenes, especially in the early interactions between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. These choices make the characters feel more relatable while still respecting the integrity of the original text. The eerie sound design and folk-influenced music also enhance the mood without distorting the play’s core message.
Overall, this performance honors Shakespeare’s Macbeth both in spirit and structure. It balances historical authenticity with thoughtful interpretation, helping the audience experience the raw tension and psychological depth of the tragedy just as Shakespeare intended.
2. How has watching the play influenced your perception of the characters, situations, or themes?
Watching Macbeth live at the Globe transformed how I understood the characters and their inner struggles. On the page, Macbeth often felt like a distant tragic figure. But on stage, Joseph Millson made him feel painfully human—conflicted, tormented, and fragile beneath his ambition. His hesitation before the murder, his haunted expressions, and the growing paranoia added layers I hadn’t felt while reading.
Samantha Spiro’s Lady Macbeth was particularly eye-opening. Her portrayal wasn’t just commanding—it was emotionally intense. In her sleepwalking scene, I saw a woman completely broken by guilt, and it made me rethink the theme of conscience and inner torment. The power dynamics between them shifted visibly, and I realized how deeply the play explores not just ambition, but the cost of power on the soul.
3. Did you experience aesthetic delight while watching the play? When and why?
Absolutely. The aesthetic delight came from both the visual simplicity and the rich poetic rhythm of the performance. The witches’ scenes were visually striking—dark costumes, sharp movements, eerie chants. Their presence gave the play a haunting, magical layer that was both beautiful and unsettling.
Also, the way Macbeth delivered the famous “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…” speech was breathtaking. The stillness of the moment, the rhythm of the words, and the sorrow in his voice created a scene that was emotionally rich and visually poetic. That’s the kind of aesthetic delight that lives in your memory.
4. Did you experience catharsis while or after watching the play? When and why?
Yes, I experienced catharsis in the final scenes—especially when Macbeth, aware of his doom, still chose to fight. His tragic end didn’t just feel like justice—it felt like an emotional release. I felt pity for him, fear of how ambition can destroy someone, and relief that the nightmare was over.
After the play ended, I was left thinking deeply about human flaws, guilt, and destiny. That emotional cleansing—feeling sorrow, fear, and finally clarity—is the true catharsis that only a powerful tragedy like Macbeth can give.
5. How did the screening of the play enhance your understanding compared to reading the text?
Reading Macbeth gave me the words—but watching it performed brought those words to life. The emotions, body language, and vocal tones of the actors helped me understand what the characters were truly feeling beneath the surface. For example, Macbeth’s inner conflict felt far more intense when I saw his trembling hands, his haunted eyes, and his faltering voice before killing Duncan.
The rhythm and pace of the dialogues also became clearer. Some lines that seemed complex while reading made perfect emotional sense when spoken aloud with expression. I finally grasped the psychological tension of the characters and the power of silence between their words.
Lady Macbeth
6. Is there a particular scene or moment in the play that will stay with you?
The scene that will stay with me forever is Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene. Samantha Spiro's performance was haunting—her vacant eyes, trembling voice, and repetition of “Out, damned spot!” showed a complete collapse of the bold woman we saw earlier. It was painful to watch and deeply humanizing.
Also unforgettable was the “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow…” soliloquy. Joseph Millson’s delivery made Macbeth’s despair feel raw and real, capturing the emptiness and meaninglessness he feels after all his crimes. That moment made me pause and reflect on the fragility of life and the cost of blind ambition.
7. If you were the director, what changes would you consider making in a screening or adaptation of Macbeth?
If I were directing, I would emphasize the psychological dimension even more. I would use lighting to visually show the characters’ mental states—for example, shifting from warm light to icy blue as Macbeth descends into madness. I’d also use sound design creatively—heartbeats, whispers, or echoes—to represent inner guilt and fear.
Additionally, I might expand the role of Banquo’s ghost with visual effects or movement that reflect Macbeth’s unraveling mind. And I’d give the witches an even more symbolic presence—appearing silently in background shadows of key scenes to show how fate is always watching.
8.Symbolism of the witches in relation to Macbeth’s ambition and the plot.
The witches in Macbeth are not just supernatural figures—they are symbols of temptation, fate, and the darker side of ambition. They never tell Macbeth to kill anyone—they simply plant the idea of greatness in his mind. That’s the brilliance of their role: they awaken the ambition already inside him.
Their cryptic language, strange appearances, and vanishing acts symbolize how uncertain and dangerous unchecked desires can be. Every time Macbeth acts on their prophecy, he loses more of his soul. Their scenes often feel like a mirror to Macbeth’s own thoughts—wild, uncontrollable, and driven by the hunger for power.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1.What is the genre of Shakespeare's play "Macbeth"?
a) Comedy
b) Tragedy
c) Romance
d) History
Answer: b) Tragedy
Why:
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. It follows the downfall of a noble hero, Macbeth, who is led astray by ambition, supernatural influences, and his own flawed decisions. The play ends in death, destruction, and moral collapse, which are key features of a tragic structure. Macbeth starts as a brave and loyal soldier but becomes a tyrant and is ultimately killed, fulfilling the pattern of a tragic hero.
2.Which of the following best describes Macbeth's tragic flaw?
a) Ambition
b) Kindness
c) Honesty
d) Patience
Answer: a) Ambition
Why:
A tragic flaw, or hamartia, is the personal weakness that leads to the downfall of the protagonist. Macbeth’s flaw is unchecked ambition. After hearing the witches’ prophecy that he will become king, he becomes obsessed with power and chooses to murder King Duncan. His ambition drives him to commit more crimes to secure the throne, ultimately leading to his ruin. None of the other traits—kindness, honesty, or patience—apply to Macbeth’s character in the context of his downfall.
3.The witches' prophecies play a significant role in Macbeth's downfall. What is
the primary theme associated with these prophecies?
a) Love
b) Power
c) Justice
d) Friendship
Answer: b) Power
Why:
The witches' prophecies spark Macbeth’s desire for power. They tell him he will become king, which plants the seed of ambition in his mind. The theme of power and its corrupting influence runs throughout the play. Macbeth becomes obsessed with gaining and keeping power, leading him to commit horrific acts. The witches don’t directly tell him to kill, but their prophecies manipulate his desire and lead to a chain of destructive decisions.
4.Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene is a turning point in the play. What emotion
is she struggling with during this scene?
a) Joy
b) Fear
c) Guilt
d) Anger
Answer: c) Guilt
Why:
In Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene (Act 5, Scene 1), she is consumed by guilt over the murders she and her husband have committed—especially the murder of King Duncan. While sleepwalking, she tries to wash imaginary blood from her hands and says, “Out, damned spot!”, showing that she still sees the blood as a symbol of her crime.
She also repeatedly says, “What, will these hands ne'er be clean?”—this shows her inner torment and inability to escape her guilt, even in sleep. The emotion has overwhelmed her so deeply that she loses control of her mind.
Open-Ended Short Questions:
1. Describe the symbolic significance of the opening scenes in Act I & IV
involving the three witches in the play "Macbeth."
Answer:
Symbolic Significance of the Opening Scenes (Act I & IV) with the Witches
The opening scenes with the three witches in Act I and Act IV are rich with symbolism. In Act I, the witches appear amid thunder and lightning, saying, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." This line sets the tone for the entire play—introducing a world where appearances deceive and moral order is inverted.
In Act IV, the witches return with even darker imagery, chanting over a boiling cauldron filled with grotesque ingredients. Their spell and the apparitions they summon represent the manipulation of fate and truth. Symbolically, the witches serve as agents of chaos, and their presence emphasizes the themes of temptation, fate, and moral disorder. Their influence over Macbeth shows how the supernatural can distort human judgment when ambition is already present.
2.How does Macbeth's ambition lead to his moral deterioration throughout the
play? Provide examples from the play to support your answer.
Answer
Macbeth's Ambition and Moral Deterioration
Macbeth begins the play as a noble and valiant warrior, praised by King Duncan. However, after hearing the witches’ prophecy, his ambition is awakened. Instead of waiting for fate to unfold, he chooses to act on the prophecy by murdering Duncan—an act that marks the beginning of his moral downfall.
After becoming king, his ambition grows darker. He orders the murder of Banquo to secure his throne and later the slaughter of Macduff’s family, showing how he becomes increasingly detached from conscience. His famous soliloquy, “I am in blood stepped in so far...”, reveals that he feels trapped by his own violent choices. Ultimately, his ambition turns him into a tyrant, completely alienated from humanity, and leads to his tragic end.
3.In what ways does the motif of ‘blood’serve as a symbol in "Macbeth"?
Explain its significance in relation to guilt and violence. (‘Blood’ is
mentioned around 40 times in the play).
Answer:
The Symbolism of ‘Blood’ in Macbeth
The motif of blood is one of the most powerful symbols in the play. It represents both guilt and violence. After murdering Duncan, Macbeth says, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” This shows how he is already overwhelmed by guilt. Blood becomes a permanent stain on his conscience.
Lady Macbeth, too, is haunted by the image of blood. In her sleepwalking scene, she cries, “Out, damned spot!”, imagining Duncan’s blood still on her hands. This shows how guilt has driven her to madness.
Blood is also used to represent the violent path Macbeth chooses—from Duncan’s murder to Banquo’s and the massacre of innocent people. Repeatedly, Shakespeare uses blood to underline the cost of ambition and the moral decay caused by unchecked power.
4. Discuss the impact of the supernatural elements, such as the witches and
prophecies, on the plot and characters of "Macbeth."
Answer:
Impact of the Supernatural on Plot and Characters
The supernatural is central to Macbeth. The witches’ prophecies influence Macbeth’s decisions and create a sense of inevitability around his fall. They act like a mirror to his desires—offering just enough truth to encourage action but leaving the consequences unclear.
The vision of a floating dagger before Duncan’s murder reflects Macbeth’s inner conflict, showing how supernatural elements blur the line between reality and hallucination. Later, Banquo’s ghost appears at a banquet, haunting Macbeth and revealing his psychological unraveling.
These elements don’t force Macbeth to act—but they manipulate his mind. The supernatural reveals the theme of fate vs. free will: Macbeth is not a puppet, but he’s highly influenced by forces beyond human understanding.
5.Compare and contrast the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. How do
their personalities and motivations contribute to the unfolding of the
tragedy?
Answer:
Compare and Contrast: Macbeth vs. Lady Macbeth
At the beginning, Lady Macbeth is the stronger, more ruthless partner. She calls upon spirits to “unsex” her and pushes Macbeth to kill Duncan. Her motivation is ambition for both herself and her husband.
Macbeth, on the other hand, starts off more hesitant. He is brave but morally conflicted. However, once he commits the first murder, he begins to act more independently and with increasing cruelty. Ironically, as Macbeth becomes more hardened, Lady Macbeth weakens, overwhelmed by guilt and eventually driven to madness.
Their character arcs cross: she starts strong and ends broken, while he starts uncertain and becomes a tyrant. This contrast highlights how ambition and guilt affect individuals differently, and how their combined choices lead to the tragedy that unfolds.
Reference:
