Macbeth Dagger Scene Analysis

Comparing Performances of Macbeth Dagger Scene
The works of William Shakespeare have been performed numerous times, and in numerous different ways throughout the centuries. As a playwright Shakespeare did not give many stage directions so one director might stage the scene in a completely different way than another director. This is true as well for Shakespeare's famous tragedy Macbeth, specifically scene two act one; the infamous dagger scene. Prior to this scene Macbeth has learned that it has been prophesized that he will become the next king. But to do become king would require him to kill the current king. The scene deals with the internal struggle Macbeth feels about whether or not he will be able to go through with committing regicide. The way this scene is performed can drastically change how the audience perceives the meaning of the scene to be. Two versions of the scene are directed by Trevor Nunn and Rupert Goold with actors Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart respectively playing Macbeth. In these two scenes the lighting, set staging, and props all play a part in forming two distinctly different moods for the one scene, which all together causes the audience to have two separate interpretations of the same scene.
The different lighting of these two performances causes two different moods within the scene. In the
Like the first performance, the Goold performance also has a spotlight effect lighting up Macbeth, causing him to be the center of attention. But unlike the first performance the background is still completely visible. In this performance the lighting seems to be coming from the left, illuminating Macbeth’s left side and casting a shadow on his right side, creating an almost mask like, sinister effect. Because of this lighting Macbeth seems much more villainous than in the previous