Academic Criticism: Literature
Lady Macbeth’s Scene from Macbeth
Academic Criticism: Art
Selection: Image B
Academic Criticism: Theater
Michael Lynch’s Stage Adaptation
Step 1: Observe
In this scene, Shakespeare gives us the sequence of the events that occurred between the Doctor, the Gentlewoman and Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is wearing a white nightgown in this picture, she appears to be slowly walking down the stairs, almost as if to be careful. The Doctor and the Gentlewoman observe her
In the theater adaption, Michael uses a bright color for Lady Macbeth’s dress while making the other colors on stage blend together, solely focusing on Lady Macbeth
Step 2: Question What was Shakespeare trying to share with his audience with these scene? Is there more than what meets the eye?
Is Lady Macbeth walking down the stairs slowly in fear or something, is she even walking slowly down the stairs at all?
What is it about Lady Macbeth that Michael wants us to focus on so bad? Why does he portray her the way he does in the play?
Step 3: Analyze Shakespeare is showing the audience something that Lady Macbeth tries to hide
Artus Scheiner is illustrating for us the observation of Lady Macbeth and the reaction of the Doctor and Gentlewoman who seemed to be shocked by her behavior
Michael Lynch really wants us to focus our attention on Lady Macbeth by using colors and tone to make her stand out.
Step 4: Evaluate
This scene has been put in the play for the audience to see more than just what meets the eye. It shows Lady Macbeth expressing her guilt, in the middle of her sleep. The guilt has gotten to the point she begins to sleepwalk, performing the act of washing her hands and confessing to a murder all while still asleep. Maybe Lady Macbeth is more sympathetic than she has been shown to be
This illustration of Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene is helpful and guideful in helping the audience to picture the scene of her sleepwalking. It shows the paranoia Lady Macbeth has. In an attempt to help show you helpless she has become, the author even tilts her head back some, as if to be possessed. In this case Lady Macbeth is possessed by the paranoia in her mind.
Michael Lynch uses different approaches to set Lady Macbeth apart and for her to grab our attention. In this scene, Lady Macbeth appears to be responsive to the angriness more so than the guilt and paranoia previously thought to be what she was reacting to.
In the literature set of Lady Macbeth’s sleep walking scene, it appears that Lady Macbeth has the feeling of guilt with the way her behavior is. She appears to be really paranoid by rubbing her hands in such a way as to wash them. She speaks of the finest perfume not being able to cleans her hands. As a way to react to what she believes is knocking, she rushes to bed. In the theater set of the play, Michael Lynch gives a different approach to Lady Macbeth. Giving her clothing that stands out to grab the audience’s attention. Lady Macbeth doesn’t appear to be feeling any guily or paranoia in this setting. But she appears to be angry more than anything else. The tone in her voice changes and she begins to scream and yell. Could she be angry about the whole situation? I believe it is a combination of all of the things I have observed, making her the furious person she comes off as
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