This term paper will focus on Kurzel’s adaptation, more precisely it will focus on one of Shakespeare’s most controversial characters: Lady Macbeth. Reading Shakespeare offers the reader the opportunity to interpret Lady Macbeth in different ways. While some adaptations present Lady Macbeth as an evil woman who has a masculine side, others present her more as a potent person and give her an empowering touch, there are also people who might see her as a victim of her devotion to her husband.
Focusing on the female gender, this paper will analyse and compare how Lady Macbeth is presented and illustrated in Shakespeare’s original play and in Kurzel’s Adaptation.
First, the paper is going to give a general overview on ‘Feminist Theory’ by introducing key terms that are significant for the analysis. Then it will give a short overview of the characteristics of an ideal Elizabethan woman. The main part will focus on two scenes in which Lady Macbeth is actively present. After deconstructing the selected Lady Macbeth scenes, in the source text and in the adaptation, it will compare them to each other. Therefore, the main part of this paper will analyse the character of Lady Macbeth by focusing on the female gender and comparing how she is represented in the book and in the movie. It will pay attention to the historical context, speech, gestures and mimics, but also on costumes and setting.
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, who wrote his poems and plays during the Renaissance. He is known for his various works of literature. “Sonnet 18”, Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet are only a few examples of his famous works. His unique plays are dealing with different topics, showing wide knowledge of human behavior, expressed through a vast range of characters. Shakespeare’s works are still read and taught not only in school and university but also play a role in our daily lives; his topics are still relevant today. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets have been adapted into more than 420 films and TV-Movie versions. Macbeth was filmed 37 times. The most recent Macbeth adaptation is from 2015 by Justin Kurzel.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. On Theory: Important Terms
3. The ideal Elizabethan Woman
4. Analysis of Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s Macbeth
4.1 Lady Macbeth between femininity and masculinity
4.2 Lady Macbeth as a wife
5. Analysis of Lady Macbeth in Kurzel’s Adaptation
5.1 Lady Macbeth the grieving mother?
5.2 Sexual intercourse as a medium of conviction
6. Comparing Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth to Kurzel’s Lady Macbeth
7. Conclusion
Research Objective and Scope
This paper examines and compares the representation of Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s original tragedy and Justin Kurzel’s 2015 film adaptation, specifically through the lens of feminist theory and the historical context of the ideal Elizabethan woman.
- Feminist theory and analysis of gender roles
- Characteristics of the ideal Elizabethan woman
- Deconstruction of key scenes in Shakespeare’s source text
- Visual and performative analysis of Kurzel’s film adaptation
- Comparative analysis of ambition, grief, and feminine vs. masculine identity
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Lady Macbeth as a wife
Lady Macbeth does not act submissive towards her husband. She does not “carry herself as inferior” (Camden 121), but more so she seems equal to her husband or in this scene maybe even dominant. The way she talks to her husband shows that she does not obey, even though Macbeth clearly signalises her to, when it comes to killing the king. He demands that they “will proceed no further in this business” (Macbeth 1.7.32). Lady Macbeth hopes that she can convince her husband and argues with him. During Shakespeare’s time, it was common that the marriage contract clearly specified that the wife is inferior to her husband and therefore must obey. She is rejecting her traditional gender role, because “she is convinced that she must divest herself of her femininity if she is to have any effect on the public life of her husband” (Carolyn Asp 160).
Lady Macbeth is the manipulative force behind the murder. Only by using words, Lady Macbeth is trying to persuade her husband into killing the king, after he decided for himself that he has “no spur to prick the sides of [his] intent” (Macbeth 1.7.25-26). She manages to reach her aim by challenging Macbeth’s manhood and using traditional gender roles against him. “Lady Macbeth’s idea of masculinity is devastatingly conventional: a man is one who acts” (Dusinberre 284). She calls him a “coward” (Macbeth 1.7.43) and says that he was a man only when he wanted to kill the king.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Presents the scope of the paper, introducing Lady Macbeth as a controversial figure and outlining the methodology of comparing the original text with Kurzel’s adaptation.
2. On Theory: Important Terms: Defines modern feminism, feminist theory, and the distinctions between sex, gender, and sexuality to provide a theoretical foundation.
3. The ideal Elizabethan Woman: Discusses the historical expectations placed upon Elizabethan women, focusing on subordination, religious values, and domestic duties.
4. Analysis of Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Explores Lady Macbeth’s struggle between traditional femininity and her desire for masculine ruthlessness to achieve her goals.
5. Analysis of Lady Macbeth in Kurzel’s Adaptation: Examines how the film adaptation portrays Lady Macbeth through visual elements, setting, and the introduction of a back story involving a deceased child.
6. Comparing Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth to Kurzel’s Lady Macbeth: Synthesizes the differences between the two versions, noting how the film emphasizes grief over the raw, ambitious drive seen in the original text.
7. Conclusion: Summarizes findings, concluding that Kurzel’s adaptation presents a more feminine and emotionally hollow version of the character compared to the original.
Keywords
Lady Macbeth, William Shakespeare, Justin Kurzel, Feminist Theory, Elizabethan Woman, Gender Roles, Macbeth Adaptation, Marion Cotillard, Femininity, Masculinity, Literary Criticism, Film Studies, Patriarchal Ideology, Character Analysis, Ambition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the character of Lady Macbeth, comparing how she is represented in Shakespeare’s original play versus Justin Kurzel’s 2015 film adaptation, specifically regarding gender expectations.
What are the key themes analyzed in the study?
Key themes include the construction of gender roles, the influence of historical context (Elizabethan standards), the use of ambition, and the psychological impact of grief on character development.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to analyze how the character of Lady Macbeth is illustrated in terms of the female gender and to evaluate how her characterization changes between the source text and the cinematic adaptation.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The paper utilizes feminist theory as a framework for literary and film criticism, alongside an analysis of historical context and visual performative elements like settings, costumes, and acting styles.
What does the main part of the paper cover?
The main part deconstructs specific scenes (Act 1 Scene 5 and 7) and their corresponding film adaptations, paying attention to speech, gestures, mimics, costume, and setting.
What are the characterizing keywords of the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare, Kurzel, Feminist Theory, Elizabethan Woman, Gender Roles, and Character Analysis.
How does Kurzel’s adaptation change Lady Macbeth’s motivation?
Kurzel introduces a back story involving the loss of a child, which suggests that Lady Macbeth’s murderous ambition may be partially driven by her intense grief and emotional emptiness.
Why does the paper characterize Kurzel's Lady Macbeth as more feminine?
The author argues that while the text shows a woman attempting to be "unsexed" and ruthless, the film’s portrayal—emphasizing grief, a lack of aggressive movement, and sexual seduction—ultimately highlights her femininity rather than a successful transition into masculine power.
What significance does the church setting have in Kurzel’s film?
Setting the murder planning and sexual scenes in a chapel acts as a stark contrast to the content of the scenes, highlighting a lack of respect for holy spaces and suggesting that brutality is masked by spiritual settings.
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- Elli Elsan (Autor:in), 2019, The Different Representations of Lady Macbeth’s Character in Shakespeare’s Tragedy and in Kurzel’s Adaptation, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1030354
