Macbeth Retold and Macbeth Similarities
‘Macbeth Retold’ and Macbeth share many connections, yet have essential differences. Demonstrate the truth of this comment through a detailed discussion of Brozel’s film and Shakespeare’s drama.
‘Macbeth Retold’ uses themes, a modified plot to be more accessible to a contemporary audience and exaggerated characters to have an effect on viewers. Retold also utilises setting to create an emotive atmosphere. Likewise Shakespeare’s Macbeth employs a variety of themes that reflect Elizabethan times, a historical plot and language features, relevant to Shakespeare’s context. Although links and connections do exist between the two texts differences are also apparent. These differences enhance the emotional response and the understanding that a modern audience may absorb from Brozel’s ‘Macbeth Retold’.
Brozel created ‘Macbeth Retold’ in 2005 and it is his interpretation of the earlier play. The plot is similar in that key events and characters appear in both texts. Brozel chose to represent the network of the Scottish aristocrats through the hierarchy of a current restaurant’s kitchen, but changing the setting that events take place in. Joe Macbeth, Brozel’s contemporary equivalent of Shakespeare’s protagonist, is head chef and with his wife, Ella (Lady Macbeth’s filmic parallel), they plan to kill the celebrity chef/owner Duncan Docherty- so that Joe would take ownership of the restaurant. The plot, but more so the setting, was modified so it resonate with people of today. Joe’s character is easy to connect with as he is overworked, which is evident by the dark circles under his eyes and his lack of sleep. He also answers to a selfish boss and becomes ambitious wanting to receive what he believes he deserves of. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth the intended audience responded to the settings, such as the aftermath of war, and castles, for example. The concept of Scottish nobility, the divine right of Kings, Princes and Thanes is an abstract concept for many people today, so
‘Macbeth Retold’ uses themes, a modified plot to be more accessible to a contemporary audience and exaggerated characters to have an effect on viewers. Retold also utilises setting to create an emotive atmosphere. Likewise Shakespeare’s Macbeth employs a variety of themes that reflect Elizabethan times, a historical plot and language features, relevant to Shakespeare’s context. Although links and connections do exist between the two texts differences are also apparent. These differences enhance the emotional response and the understanding that a modern audience may absorb from Brozel’s ‘Macbeth Retold’.
Brozel created ‘Macbeth Retold’ in 2005 and it is his interpretation of the earlier play. The plot is similar in that key events and characters appear in both texts. Brozel chose to represent the network of the Scottish aristocrats through the hierarchy of a current restaurant’s kitchen, but changing the setting that events take place in. Joe Macbeth, Brozel’s contemporary equivalent of Shakespeare’s protagonist, is head chef and with his wife, Ella (Lady Macbeth’s filmic parallel), they plan to kill the celebrity chef/owner Duncan Docherty- so that Joe would take ownership of the restaurant. The plot, but more so the setting, was modified so it resonate with people of today. Joe’s character is easy to connect with as he is overworked, which is evident by the dark circles under his eyes and his lack of sleep. He also answers to a selfish boss and becomes ambitious wanting to receive what he believes he deserves of. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth the intended audience responded to the settings, such as the aftermath of war, and castles, for example. The concept of Scottish nobility, the divine right of Kings, Princes and Thanes is an abstract concept for many people today, so