Macbeth
Tags: insanity, revenge, murder

Plot synopsis:
=== Act I ===
The play opens amidst thunder and lightning, and the Three Witches decide that their next meeting shall be with Macbeth. In the following scene, a wounded sergeant reports to King Duncan of Scotland that his generals—Macbeth, who is the Thane of Glamis, and Banquo—have just defeated the allied forces of Norway and Ireland, who were led by the traitorous Macdonwald, the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth, the King's kinsman, is praised for his bravery and fighting prowess.
In the following scene, Macbeth and Banquo discuss the weather and their victory. As they wander onto a heath, the Three Witches enter and greet them with prophecies. Though Banquo challenges them first, they address Macbeth, hailing him as "Thane of Glamis," "Thane of Cawdor," and that he shall "be King hereafter." Macbeth appears to be stunned to silence. When Banquo asks of his own fortunes, the witches respond paradoxically, saying that he will be less than Macbeth, yet happier, less successful, yet more. He will father a line of kings though he himself will not be one. While the two men wonder at these pronouncements, the witches vanish, and another thane, Ross, arrives and informs Macbeth of his newly bestowed title: Thane of Cawdor. The first prophecy is thus fulfilled, and Macbeth, previously skeptical, immediately begins to harbour ambitions of becoming king.
King Duncan welcomes and praises Macbeth and Banquo, and declares that he will spend the night at Macbeth's castle at Inverness; he also names his son Malcolm as his heir. Macbeth sends a message ahead to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her about the witches' prophecies. Lady Macbeth suffers none of her husband's uncertainty and wishes him to murder Duncan in order to obtain kingship. When Macbeth arrives at Inverness, she overrides all of her husband's objections by challenging his manhood and successfully persuades him to kill the king that very night. He and Lady Macbeth plan to get Duncan's two chamberlains drunk so that they will black out; the next morning they will blame the chamberlains for the murder. They will be defenseless as they will remember nothing.
=== Act II ===
While Duncan is asleep, Macbeth stabs him, despite his doubts and a number of supernatural portents, including a hallucination of a bloody dagger. He is so shaken that Lady Macbeth has to take charge. In accordance with her plan, she frames Duncan's sleeping servants for the murder by placing bloody daggers on them. Early the next morning, Lennox, a Scottish nobleman, and Macduff, the loyal Thane of Fife, arrive. A porter opens the gate and Macbeth leads them to the king's chamber, where Macduff discovers Duncan's body. Macbeth murders the guards to prevent them from professing their innocence, but claims he did so in a fit of anger over their misdeeds. Duncan's sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland, respectively, fearing that whoever killed Duncan desires their demise as well. The rightful heirs' flight makes them suspects and Macbeth assumes the throne as the new King of Scotland as a kinsman of the dead king. Banquo reveals this to the audience, and while sceptical of the new King Macbeth, he remembers the witches' prophecy about how his own descendants would inherit the throne; this makes him suspicious of Macbeth.
=== Act III ===
Despite his success, Macbeth, also aware of this part of the prophecy, remains uneasy. Macbeth invites Banquo to a royal banquet, where he discovers that Banquo and his young son, Fleance, will be riding out that night. Fearing Banquo's suspicions, Macbeth arranges to have him murdered, by hiring two men to kill them, later sending a Third Murderer. The assassins succeed in killing Banquo, but Fleance escapes. Macbeth becomes furious: he fears that his power remains insecure as long as an heir of Banquo remains alive.
At a banquet, Macbeth invites his lords and Lady Macbeth to a night of drinking and merriment. Banquo's ghost enters and sits in Macbeth's place. Macbeth raves fearfully, startling his guests, as the ghost is only visible to himself. The others panic at the sight of Macbeth raging at an empty chair, until a desperate Lady Macbeth tells them that her husband is merely afflicted with a familiar and harmless malady. The ghost departs and returns once more, causing the same riotous anger and fear in Macbeth. This time, Lady Macbeth tells the lords to leave, and they do so.
=== Act IV ===
Macbeth, disturbed, visits the three witches once more and asks them to reveal the truth of their prophecies to him. To answer his questions, they summon horrible apparitions, each of which offers predictions and further prophecies to put Macbeth's fears at rest. First, they conjure an armoured head, which tells him to beware of Macduff (IV.i.72). Second, a bloody child tells him that no one born of a woman shall be able to harm him. Thirdly, a crowned child holding a tree states that Macbeth will be safe until Great Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth is relieved and feels secure because he knows that all men are born of women and forests cannot move. Macbeth also asks if Banquo's sons will ever reign in Scotland: the witches conjure a procession of eight crowned kings, all similar in appearance to Banquo, and the last carrying a mirror that reflects even more kings. Macbeth realises that these are all Banquo's descendants having acquired kingship in numerous countries. After the witches perform a mad dance and leave, Lennox enters and tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth orders Macduff's castle be seized, and, most cruelly, sends murderers to slaughter Macduff, as well as Macduff's wife and children. Although Macduff is no longer in the castle, everyone in Macduff's castle is put to death, including Lady Macduff and their young son.
=== Act V ===
Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth becomes wracked with guilt from the crimes she and her husband have committed. At night, in the king's palace at Dunsinane, a doctor and a gentlewoman discuss Lady Macbeth's strange habit of sleepwalking. Suddenly, Lady Macbeth enters in a trance with a candle in her hand. Bemoaning the murders of Duncan, Lady Macduff, and Banquo, she tries to wash off imaginary bloodstains from her hands, all the while speaking of the terrible things she knows she pressed her husband to do. She leaves, and the doctor and gentlewoman marvel at her descent into madness. Her belief that nothing can wash away the blood on her hands is an ironic reversal of her earlier claim to Macbeth that "[a] little water clears us of this deed" (II.ii.66).
In England, Macduff is informed by Ross that his "castle is surprised; [his] wife and babes / Savagely slaughter'd" (IV.iii.204–5). When this news of his family's execution reaches him, Macduff is stricken with grief and vows revenge. Prince Malcolm, Duncan's son, has succeeded in raising an army in England, and Macduff joins him as he rides to Scotland to challenge Macbeth's forces. The invasion has the support of the Scottish nobles, who are appalled and frightened by Macbeth's tyrannical and murderous behaviour. Malcolm leads an army, along with Macduff and Englishmen Siward (the Elder), the Earl of Northumberland, against Dunsinane Castle. While encamped in Birnam Wood, the soldiers are ordered to cut down and carry tree limbs to camouflage their numbers.
Before Macbeth's opponents arrive, he receives news that Lady Macbeth has killed herself, causing him to sink into a deep and pessimistic despair and deliver his "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" soliloquy (V.v.17–28). Though he reflects on the brevity and meaninglessness of life, he nevertheless awaits the English and fortifies Dunsinane. He is certain that the witches' prophecies guarantee his invincibility, but is struck with fear when he learns that the English army is advancing on Dunsinane shielded with boughs cut from Birnam Wood, in apparent fulfillment of one of the prophecies.
A battle culminates in Macduff's confrontation with Macbeth, who kills Young Siward in combat. The English forces overwhelm his army and castle. Macbeth boasts that he has no reason to fear Macduff, for he cannot be killed by any man born of woman. Macduff declares that he was "from his mother's womb / Untimely ripp'd" (V.8.15–16), (i.e., born by Caesarean section) and is not "of woman born" (an example of a literary quibble), fulfilling the second prophecy. Macbeth realises too late that he has misinterpreted the witches' words. Though he realises that he is doomed, he continues to fight. Macduff kills and beheads him, thus fulfilling the remaining prophecy.
Macduff carries Macbeth's head onstage and Malcolm discusses how order has been restored. His last reference to Lady Macbeth, however, reveals "'tis thought, by self and violent hands / Took off her life" (V.ix.71–72), but the method of her suicide is undisclosed. Malcolm, now the King of Scotland, declares his benevolent intentions for the country and invites all to see him crowned at Scone.
Although Malcolm, and not Fleance, is placed on the throne, the witches' prophecy concerning Banquo ("Thou shalt get kings") was known to the audience of Shakespeare's time to be true: James VI of Scotland (later also James I of England) was supposedly a descendant of Banquo.

Review: HAIL MACBETH, HAIL MACBETH, HAIL MACBETH.WOW, that was a gripping, intense, beautifully shot film with unforgettable performances and has to be the best retellings of not only 'Macbeth' but all of Shakespeare's plays on screen.
Fantastic adaptation of Shakespeare's iconic tragedy, Justin Kurzel's drama is a stunning and well-crafted epic, featuring some unforgettable performances from Marion Cotillard, Paddy Considine, Sean Harris and of course, Michael Fassbender in the role of the savage tyrant, Macbeth.
Though the Bard's words are handled with care by an ideal ensemble, fronted by Michael Fassbender and a boldly cast Marion Cotillard, it's the Australian helmer's fervid sensory storytelling that makes this a Shakespeare pic for the ages — albeit one surely too savage for the classroom..
peaceful candles on violent faces - rough vision of emotions deep - motion matched the poetry - of wondering thoughts to keep.a master piece combining theatre - excellent acting and visual art - authenticity in dress and location - even Shakespeare would take heart.Michael Fassbender made Macbeth, raw yet vulnerable which solved an issue I always had with this character.
Marion Cotillard's acting was so pure and emotionally complex, awesome.A Scottish friend who loves his country's history, was pleasantly surprised regarding the relative authenticity of highlander living and praised the costumes: no tartan, but Roman type with leather/metal battle uniforms which would be likely correct considering that Macbeth lived in the 11th century.The music was powerful, supporting the Shakespearian lines, subtly giving them more impact.
This is why I was drawn to another of Shakespeare's great tragedies, even though I knew I would be sitting through nearly two hours of theatre without the use of subtitles.Macbeth is a well known story of ambition, murder, rage and tyranny but what I was looking for in Justin Kurzel's interpretation was a connection that an uneducated sloth like myself could get from a tale that had four hundred years of retelling.
The eerie and sombre acoustics help keep the audience fixed to their seats as the savage tragedy of Macbeth unfolds in all its brutal glory.Michael Fassbender (Macbeth), plays the character to perfection and it is his performance alone that makes it easier for the common man to understand Shakespeare's historic language.
Great little cameos by David Thewlis (King Duncan) and Elisabeth Debicki (Lady Macduff), along with brilliant visionary direction by Justin Kurzel will give the uneducated hordes a chance to witness one of Shakespeare's masterpieces..
From the moment that I saw the rumours and the pictures popping up around the web that Michael Fassbender was to play Macbeth, one of the most brilliantly written characters of all time, I was all over the place of excitement.
To follow it up with a brilliantly cast Paddy Considine as Banquo and, in my opinion a little too young, Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth I thought we were set for success.The opening is harrowing, beautiful and brilliant and it really sucks you in to their world.
Now I'm all for revisioning and reimagining, and there's a LOT of room for that in the play Macbeth, so I was excited, but utterly disappointed.It's an orgy of meaningless violence in slow motion, topped off with so many close ups of blood and vomit that doesn't serve a purpose, sprinkled with, what I can only imagine being a directors "vision" with complete disregard of his actors talents.The "redeeming part" is it's beautiful imagery, but everything else pushes this movie down to the very bottom of my list.
Justin Kurzel's film attempts to provide a definitive cinematic version of the iconic play with this gritty, war-based work of drama starring Michael Fassbender (Oscar-nominated for "12 Years a Slave, 2013) in the eponymous role and Marion Cotillard, who won the award for her role in Edith Piaf biopic "La Vie en Rose," 2007.
Luckily the French actress has that talent in spades and at first she brings to the table hardened resolve before the true extent of Macbeth's madness is revealed and her acting changes accordingly with an impeccable change-over.Also good is the haunting score and stunning Scottish scenery, bleak yet beautiful in a cold, austere way.
However, apart from this Justin Kurzel's Macbeth is a masterfully made film that may not win over those unfamiliar with the source material but will be a true treat for fans of Shakespeare and cinema.
I recently saw Macbeth with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard and directed by Justin Kurzel and is easily my number 1 film of the year so far.
While the Shakespearean dialogue may be hard to follow at times, it doesn't matter as this film is a visual masterpiece and not only i the way of shot types but also in the use of colour (which the end scene uses in a truly jaw dropping sequence).
Fassbender was born to play this role and portrays Macbeth in a powerful and emotionally engrossing way and Cotillard is a beautiful and faultless Lady Macbeth (she has a great monologue in one scene which gave me goosebumps).
I have seen many Macbeth adaptations and live on stage and this film portrays none of the raw human emotion that makes the play great.
That said, Michael Fassbender gave an almost creditable/credible performance as the eponymous hero but he had a mangled text to work with.The Scottish accents were a curious mishmash of the genuine (i.e. the role was actually played by a Scot) and the dreadful made up, modern-day "Glasgow" accents that the BBC seems to trot out when it wants to do something about Scotland and show it elsewhere.
Olivier had plans to make a filmed "Macbeth", but these came to nothing.Justin Kurzel is the latest director to have a go at the "Scottish Play".
He also seems to have interpreted the words "Dark Ages" absolutely literally as for most of the time the action is taking place against an atmosphere of Stygian gloom, either at night or (as the three witches would have put it) through "fog and filthy air".Now it is certainly true that "Macbeth" is a play in which many key scenes do indeed take place at night or in foul weather and in which images of night, darkness, gloom and tempest are used to describe or emphasise the "dark" deeds which make up the plot.
It is no accident that Shakespeare often uses the word "robe" as a synonym for authority; Macbeth has not only usurped Duncan's throne but has (metaphorically at least) stolen his clothes.It therefore seemed to me that the unrelieved gloom which pervades the film, and the use of such dull, uninteresting costumes, represented failure of visual imagination and a distortion of the themes of the play.
There was no attempt to differentiate the good characters from the evil ones, no recognition of the fact that different scenes within the play have differing atmospheres and no visual imagery to suggest that the throne of Scotland was something worth fighting for.The acting was no better than the direction, with the possible exception of Marion Cotillard who did enough to suggest that she might have made a decent Lady Macbeth in a better production than this one.
Michael Fassbender in the title role, and some of the other actors, speak their lines far too naturalistically, despite the fact that Shakespeare's plays were written in a formal, poetic blank verse which was never intended to be naturalistic even in the early 1600s.
Shakespeare's classic tragedy is acted with celebrated lead performances from Michael Fassbender , Marion Cotillard , Sean Harris , Paddy Considine , David Thewlis , among others .
Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his astute spouse , his equally murderous wife (Marion Cotillard) , Lady Macbeth (she is often referred to as "Lady M") , he subsequently murders his king and takes the throne for himself .Notorious as well as big-budgeted adaptation of the Shakespearean classic marked by unflinching violence , realistic design and fatalistic atmosphere .
¨Macbeth¨ (2015) results to be , in fact , a worthy continuation of various renditions based upon Shakespearean classic play , these are the followings : Macbeth (1948) acted , directed by Orson Welles with Jeanette Nolan , Dan O'Herlihy , Roddy McDowall , Robert Coote , this is a low-budgeted retelling with cheap sets , a three-week shooting schedule and an attempt at Scottish accent ; Macbeth (1976) with Eric Porter , Janet Suzman ; Macbeth (1990) with Michael Jayston , Leigh Hunt , being produced as part of HBO's Thames collection ; Macbeth (1971) by Roman Polanski with John Finch , Francesca Annis , Martin Shaw , being first movie made by Playboy Enterprises , it was torn apart by critics and originally rated X .
I feel like calling the director responsible for the tragedy he created!Yes!Because he had lots of talent in hands,but he decided not to demand a better job from the best boys...are they not who look for all the main details in a film?Again,I am a Latino girl,but that kind of castle,is out of the right time in history!!!Am I just raving?You know when you see a nice cake and you try it,and it is just tasteless?That's this Macbeth,unfortunately.When I saw Fassbender's war painted face,I could not wait any longer,but going to the theater...I feel like not only I,but we should be reimbursed.Espetacular Scotland's scenery counted,or otherwise I would have given it a star,or maybe two;seeing the great performers,also counted.But,then,you have the director!I found the performances cold,out of touch,repressed by both Cotillard and Fassbender,and I know they are fine actors!But if you ask me,there was one(1),just one scene that moved me:when Lady Macbeth is dead and Macbeth says that part of the monologue!"...tomorrow,and tomorrow,and tomorrow..."Fassbender is an actor that maybe has believed in fame that he has acquired...he forces himself strongly,like in 12 Years of Slavery,and in that time he was crazy about the Oscar's winning!Is he totally immersed in Hollywood's vanity?He needs to ...study more,perhaps?Now,he is easy on the eye!!!that I can't disagree,and he has the potential for big deliveries,if..:he decides to leave his vanity aside!Well,it is a film that probably was made in between schedules,with great names!!!.
I think Fassbender and Cotillard played very good their role, they are sublime in this film, because they have to explain all the Drama with only words and facial expressions, like they are in Theatre and not in Cinema.
The battle scenes are poor versions of the series Spartacus, the actors mumble their way through, delivering in a monotone, and they have changed the story so much, it is pretentious to call the film Macbeth.
It tells the story about a Scottish general who was approached by three clairvoyant witches who through their whispering voices communicated to him that he would become King of Scotland, and the third witch said: "There to meet with Macbeth." Distinctly and precisely directed by Australian filmmaker Justin Kurzel, this quietly paced fictional tale which is narrated interchangeably from the main characters' viewpoints, draws a majestically literary portrayal of a becoming autocrat whom instigated by his and his wife named Lady Macbeths' underlying grief and prospects, begins, whilst increasingly forsaking their hearts, reflecting upon committing the ultimate crime to realize their maniac visions of themselves as sovereign an their future.
Blood revenge is your inheritance Sigurd Dragonslayer." where the protagonist utters to his accomplice: "To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself." the acute frames turns into transcending paintings with mystical atmospheric depth, the Scottish highlands tells of powers far greater than humankind and cinema is stretched beyond the ordinary, depicts a substantially perspicacious study of character and contains a great and timely score by composer Jed Kurzel.This philosophical chamber piece which is set in Kinrick o Scotland in the 11th century a millennium before an English singer named Florence sang: " to keep my issues drawn " and a protagonist wishes she could unsex herself as she thinks that men have no feelings, is impelled and reinforced by its cogent narrative structure, substantial character development, rhythmic continuity, distinctly poetic dialog, question: "What is that noise?" answer: "It is the cry of women, my good " comment by M: "Thou wast born of woman.
True to the story, he uses heavy Scottish accents, forcing the viewer to follow what is happening visually, and the emotional journeys become a tsunami.Superb acting shows Macbeth as an initially good, loyal, man, the three witches not as bat-boiling hags but as sincere, folklorish women, and the future Lady Macbeth as devoted, loving and kind (if a bit misguided).
If, like so many us, you are a hater of Shakespeare thanks to years of it being rammed down your throat at school, this isn't going to be as engrossing a watch, because you'll likely be consistently confused and frustrated by ye olde dialogue.However, the story itself is a classic, and whether you are a fan of the bard or not, it's a very gritty and dark tale that can be very interesting at times.
Macbeth's rise to power is often haunting to watch, of course helped by Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard's performances, as the two attempt to usurp the throne of Scotland for their own ambition.This film in particular is extremely violent and gritty.
Again, even if you're struggling to cope with the Shakespearean dialogue, the eerie and unnerving music that plays almost incessantly throughout this film will have you hooked, as it really helps to create a more fearful atmosphere, likening Macbeth's ascent to the end of days, furthered by Kurzel's often apocalyptic-looking directing..
An important Shakespeare film.My best "Macbeth" still remains the Orson Welles version, followed by Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood."Why is director Justin Kurzel's version important?
The battle scenes are grossly exaggerated and turned into artificial ballets made worse by slow motion, and there is little to save the film except the marvellous landscape scenery, magnificent all the way through, and the after all good acting, despite the fact that the actors are not allowed more than to mumble.
Michael Fassbinder, Paddy Considine and David Thewlis are three of the world' best actors whether on stage, film or television, all of whom have well-deserved acclaimed credentials, so it is hard to imagine why Justin Kurzel's Scottish Play seems so dull and tired.
Macbeth, played by the impeccably flawed Fassbender, loses the plot when his wife, the sinister, manipulative Marion Cotillard, pushes him to kill the king of Scotland (David Thewlis).
Bottom line: eve if you are not a fan of Shakespeare as such, you will likely be taken in by this latest adaptation, if nothing else by the photography and the lead performances from Fassbender and Cotillard."MacBeth" opened this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati.
I watched it with subtitles and I still only understood half of what was being said but without subtitles I wouldn't of been able to decipher a single word (it definitely helps to know the story of Macbeth already before watching.) The cinematography is gorgeous and one of the top things about the film, especially the final scenes with tons of red smoke rolling in and the falling snow sticking to Michael Fassbenders beard.
Michael Fassbender, one of the hottest rising stars as Macbeth, and French actress Marion Cotillard as his mischievous wife, give great performances who were born for these roles.
The director gives some great original interpretations of the play in a way I've never seen before, and it works brilliantly, I was surprised.The parts are played to perfection by the ever impressive Michael Fassbender & Marion Cotillard.
The acting is sublime too, with Marion Cotillard playing a typically evil Lady Macbeth and Michael Fassbender portraying Macbeth's dark character arc with vigour and intensity.
Easily the best performance I've seen from both actors.This film has inspired me to go and watch every single adaptation and incarnation of MACBETH I can get my hands on.
It is, however, a visceral experience (unlike many Shakespeare adaptations) led by two Oscar caliber performances.+Cotillard and Fassbender are powerful+Kurzel's style grew on me-Takes time to get going7.8/10.
I am not a big lover of Shakespeares plays but Macbeth is a story few haven't heard at one time or another this movie is a great watch for those who enjoy the story and those who are new to it Fassbender gives an amazing performance as Macbeth and speaks the famous words in a way not heard before a modern day retelling of an old story done right..
The film is made like the director thinks MacBeth is nothing but a play about a violent guy and the various people who kills.
Instead of Shakespeare's beautiful poetry, the movie is drowned in over-art-directed vistas and just plain bad directoral choices (like setting the entire first 10 minutes of the film as a battle that is shot almost entirely in ludicrous slow motion--the kind of thing a first-year film student who has just seen "300" might think is a good idea).If you want to see MacBeth presented in a cinematic style rather than as a play, I suggest the far superior 1971 version by Roman Polanski..
Marion cottilard plays lady Macbeth and I thought she did a pretty good job, I didn't care about her character as much as fassbender and I thought she wasn't as strong as I wanted her to be.
The things that Justin Kurzwel's new film of Shakespeare's Macbeth are the sense of place that feels so authentic as to bordering on documentary-level, which is then off-set by the surreal, hellish sense of color (various shades of red make this so vivid as to be piercing to the senses at times), and then the performances, which are authentic to the point of feeling like these actors could leap off the screen.Surely if you haven't seen the adaptations by Welles or Polanski, or still the best Kurosawa's Throne of Blood, see those first.
Macbeth: Yes, it is a Horror Film, even more so in this version with Michael Fassbender as Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as his Lady.