Goold And Macbeth Comparison Essay

William Shakespeare is considered one of the best English poets and playwrights. He has written many sonnets, poems and plays. Among his greatest work was the Tragedy of Macbeth, which shows how the drive for political power can have damaging physical and psychological effects. There have been many interpretations of Macbeth and Rupert Goold’s film adaptation shows the many ways the play can be expressed. The original text of Macbeth and Rupert Goold’s film adaptation can be compared in terms of the movie’s plot, character development and themes. Although both have the same script, Goold’s version is more modernized because of the era the film is set in, the uses of twentieth century historical figures, and development of the witches. The historical time period of the setting are very important. It shows perception in the story and help the audience gain a greater understanding of the plot. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is set in eleventh century Scotland. In Scotland, that was a time of anarchy, people were gripped by fears and trying to kill each other. This perfectly sets the atmosphere for Macbeth which begins with the witches on a battlefield in thunder and lighting. “When shall we three meet again? In thunder,
Or are you aught That man may question? You seem to understand me, By each at once her choppy finger laying Upon her skinny lips. You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so./” (1.3.39.47). However they are seen as complete opposites in the movie, they are strong, young, and pretty. In the first scene, they are seen as hospital nurses ripping Captain’s heart out. They change the idea of what witches are because nurses are seen as nurtures, people you trust to take care of you during your weakest moments but that is not what witches’ role in the play