Paula Scalvin da Costa
Bolsista PET-Letras
Letras Inglês – UFSC
Comparing different adaptations of the same play, even within the same project across different years, reveals insightful variations in how directors interpret and present the material. This brief analysis, developed as part of the English Literature III discipline in the Letras Ingles course at UFSC, focuses on two different adaptations of Act I, Scene 4 from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The scene has been portrayed in numerous ways, each highlighting unique aspects, particularly in the portrayal of Lady Macbeth. One notable adaptation is by Shakespeare’s Globe, which includes a synopsis in British Sign Language (BSL). This choice offers a compelling perspective on narrative communication, especially given the limited availability of comprehensive adaptations in alternative formats. The BSL synopsis creatively enhances accessibility and deepens the appreciation of classic literature. By contrasting this with Shakespeare’s Globe On Screen’s 2014 adaptation directed by Eve Best, this essay explores how different mediums and interpretations influence the portrayal of Act I, Scene 4 in Macbeth.
Descrição da imagem: pintura óleo sobre tela. Lady Macbeth, cabelos vernelhos longos em tranças segura, perto de sua cabeça, uma coroa. A pele é branca e ela veste uma espécie de túnica verde e azul. O fundo da cena é azul escuro. Trata-se do quadro de John Singer Sargent, Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth, 1889.
In Act I, Scene 4 of Macbeth, Shakespeare vividly depicts Lady Macbeth’s transformation through his choice of words. This pivotal scene reveals her ambitious nature and her willingness to forsake morality for power.
The scene opens with Lady Macbeth reading a letter from Macbeth informing her of the witches’ prophecies. Her initial reaction is filled with excitement and ambition as she contemplates the possibility of Macbeth becoming king. Her language is metaphorical and vivid, conveying eagerness and ruthless ambition; for instance, she resolves to “pour [her] spirits in [his] ear,” signifying her intent to decisively influence Macbeth.
As Lady Macbeth reflects on Macbeth’s nature, her tone becomes persuasive and manipulative. She worries that Macbeth is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” to seize the crown through murder, viewing kindness as a weakness and setting the stage for her manipulative tactics. Her language is strategic, aiming to instill urgency and resolve in Macbeth, using commanding verbs and vivid imagery to persuade him to act against his better judgment.
Towards the end of the scene, Lady Macbeth’s tone darkens significantly. She invokes the spirits to “unsex” her and fill her with cruelty, demonstrating her willingness to renounce traditional feminine qualities and embrace ruthlessness. This pivotal moment marks her desire to transcend gender norms and embody a more masculine form of power. Her words become increasingly violent and resolute, underscoring her commitment to their deadly plan and revealing both her inner turmoil and fierce ambition.
In summary, Act I, Scene 4 of Macbeth is instrumental in illustrating Lady Macbeth’s complex character. Through her shifting tone and choice of words, Shakespeare masterfully conveys her transformation from an ambitious wife to a ruthless manipulator, setting the stage for the tragic events that follow and highlighting her pivotal role in the play’s exploration of ambition, power, and morality.
“Macbeth in BSL: Shakespeare Synopsis Project,” directed by Sophie Stone and released in 2018, focuses on portraying Shakespeare’s classic through the lens of the Deaf community. This adaptation stands out for its exceptional direction and portrayal of secondary characters, unfolding the narrative through their perspectives and setting an ominous tone from the outset. It underscores how perceptions shape understanding.
Key elements include nuanced acting and the strategic selection of characters who observe pivotal scenes. Sign language effectively conveys what characters witness, especially in naming the main protagonists, while subtitles offer basic understanding of signed dialogue, with deeper meanings emerging through careful observation of chosen signs.
The Shakespeare Synopsis project aims to adapt Shakespeare for the public, including synopses tailored for the Deaf community. In this adaptation, secondary characters witness crucial story events, such as Macbeth’s encounter with the witches or, specifically analyzed here, Lady Macbeth’s reading of her husband’s letter.
A notable aspect is the significant sign choice for Macbeth in this BSL production: three extended fingers sweeping across the chest. This gesture symbolizes Macbeth tearing at himself, metaphorically ripping away a part of himself and illustrating the story’s darkness and damning nature, reflecting regional or community-specific differences in adaptation.
Cinematography plays a crucial role, enhancing the dark and eerie atmosphere, capturing the unsettling ambiance within the Macbeths’ residence or intense chaos of battlefield scenes. Subtle costume changes reflect characters’ deteriorating mental states over time, symbolizing unfolding tragedy and emphasizing narrative depth and complexity.
Shakespeare’s Globe On Screen’s 2014 adaptation, directed by Eve Best, stands out for its unique approach to portraying Shakespeare’s classic. Notably, the transformation in tone and voice by the actress during pivotal scenes, such as Lady Macbeth’s letter reading, mirrors her evolving emotions and thoughts.
Key elements include Samantha Spiro’s exceptional portrayal of Lady Macbeth, skillfully articulating her inner thoughts aloud. Costume choices deepen narrative depth, blending casual elegance with everyday life, reflecting Lady Macbeth’s contemplation of kingship. As ambitions darken, her tone overwhelms a once-grand stage setting with character weight, enriching complexity and thematic resonance in unfolding tragedy.
Both adaptations by Shakespeare’s Globe, one in BSL and the other from the 2014 adaptation, share rich, earthy, and somber tones, evoking audience emotions in ways that create a claustrophobic sensation.
In the specific scene of Lady Macbeth reading the letter, both adaptations intensify the proximity of characters as the scene progresses. An intriguing point is the difference in the character within the Macbeths’ household between the synopsis adaptation—a butler—and the play—a woman, reflecting on the performance itself. While the butler’s interpretation in the synopsis is solemn and imbued with morbidity, the portrayal of the woman in the play is naive, perhaps serving to contrast with the inherent morbidity of the actress portraying Lady Macbeth.
The synopsis adaptation by Shakespeare’s Globe offers a condensed, third-person perspective, consistent with the play as a whole, yet Lady Macbeth externalizes her tumultuous and convoluted thoughts. Throughout the scene, one can perceive, “as she reads the letter, I could see her human kindness leaving her body,” a profound statement echoed by the project, providing a parallel perspective on human nature’s complexities within the context of power and ambition.
In exploring different adaptations of Act I, Scene 4 from Shakespeare’s Macbeth this essay has illuminated the multifaceted nature of Lady Macbeth’s character and the interpretative richness brought forth by various mediums and directorial approaches. The comparison between Shakespeare’s Globe’s British Sign Language synopsis and Eve Best’s 2014 On Screen adaptation underscores how different forms of communication and directorial choices can profoundly impact the portrayal of Shakespearean themes such as ambition, power, and gender dynamics.
The BSL adaptation, through its innovative use of sign language and nuanced portrayal of secondary characters, offers a unique perspective that enhances accessibility and highlights the universality of Shakespeare’s themes. In contrast, Eve Best’s adaptation emphasizes the dramatic intensity and psychological depth through compelling performances and visual storytelling.
Both adaptations resonate with their audiences by evoking emotional depth and thematic resonance, albeit through distinct stylistic choices. Whether through the visceral impact of sign language or the visual and auditory immersion of traditional theater, each adaptation enriches our understanding of Macbeth’s timeless exploration of human ambition and its consequences.
Ultimately, the diversity of interpretations showcased in these adaptations serves as a testament to the enduring relevance and adaptability of Shakespeare’s work across different cultural and artistic contexts, inviting ongoing exploration and appreciation for audiences of all backgrounds.
REFERENCES
BEST, Eve (Diretora). Shakespeare’s Globe On Screen Macbeth. William Shakespeare, 2014.
Macbeth in BSL: Shakespeare Synopsis Project. Youtube. Direção de Sophie Stone, 2018. Disponível em: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJn3qtmh6po&t=25s. Acesso em: 14 jul. 2024.