‘Macbeth Retold’ vs Shakespeare’s Macbeth

This sample essay on Chef Macbeth provides important aspects of the issue and arguments for and against as well as the needed facts. Read on this essay’s introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

‘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’ Macbeth employs a variety of themes that reflect Elizabethan times, a historical plot and language features, relevant to Shakespeare’s context.

Although links and onnections 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 quivalent of Shakespeares protagonist, is head chef and with his wife, Ella (Lady Macbeth’s filmic parallelb 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.

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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.

What Is The Setting Of Macbeth

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth the intended udience 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 it is unlikely that Retold would have been as successful if Brozel had not made changes to the plot and setting. Similar themes are employed by both composers to evoke emotions In their respective audiences. Through the relationship of Joe and Ella, Brozel questions the dynamic of a marriage.

Shakespeare uses Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to re-lnforce he role of a woman, as that of a passive companion, as expected within Elizabethan society. Ella and Lady M both have aspirations and are driven, and they manipulate their husbands. Lady M’s famous quote “l fear thy nature, ‘It is too full oth’mllk of human kindness”. (1. 5. 15-16) indicates she is doubting Macbeth’s masculinity. Ella also uses a similar line for the same effect, as she attempts to persuade Joe to commit murder. Lady M and Ella share some common goals but Ella’s character is able to be more of an equal to her husband.

This Is due to the socially accepted role that woman have. Ella is Hostess/front of house of the restaurant where she and Joe work. She maintains a very high standard, which can be observed in the scene at the beginning of the film as she Inspects the table before they open for the night. This symbolises the importance she puts on her position and may be a factor for why she t front of house to go to waste. The Elizabethan ideal of the chain of being and natural world versus unnatural is very apparent in Macbeth. God’s represenitive on Earth is the King, and when Macbeth murders Duncan he disrupts the chain of being and causes disorder.

By Macbeth usurping Duncan’s throne unnatural things start happening, horses eating each other, owls hunting and killing hawks are both mentioned in Act 2 scene 4. Macbeth’s and Lady M’s spiral into insanity and instability is also an unnatural consequences of the murder committed. Shakespeare’s character Macbeth was flawed, he became ambitious after his encounter with the Weird Sisters, and he wanted what they promised. He was Jealous and as the play progressed he became arrogant, which eventually lead to his death. The personal Journey that he undertakes and the actions he takes are nderstandable to audience members.

They may disagree with Macbeth murdering Duncan, but the ambition that lead Macbeth to commit the murder can be seen. In contrast through “Retold”, Duncan was portrayed as a much more selfish and egotistical man than King Duncan. Joe’s character is a passionate chef who is full of enthusiasm, which is demonstrated in the first scene when he is cooking. He starts singing loudly and encourages the other staff to do so. This passion for cooking and for his livelihood is later transformed into anger and extreme behaviours.

The two ays that each composer has chosen to have their ‘Macbeth’ are different, but both ‘Macbeths’ have the same basic flaws, making them relatable. Brozel uses film techniques due to his differing median. Whereas Macbeth uses written techniques such as dramatic irony, where the audience has an overall view and idea of the plot compared to characters who are limited to knowledge, they learn in scenes they are involved in. An example of dramatic irony in Shakespeare’s play is when the audience learns in Act 1 that Macbeth has been appointed Thane of Cawdor, when approached by the Weird Sisters- Macbeth himself does not know this.

Making what the Sisters tell him and Macbeth’s reaction dramatic irony. Imagery is also used in both texts, but because ‘Macbeth Retold’ is a film the imagery and use of colour is more evocative for todays responders. In the moments leading up to the celebratory breakfast scene (which parallels the banquet scene in Shakespeare’s play) Joe is initially depicted as standing in the hall looking at his reflection in a metal door, behind him is a deep red curtain. The image given to those watching is a distorted view of Joe’s face with red all around him.

This image is a striking one, as it carries on he black, white, and red colour pallete but it also consolidates the idea that Joe isn’t really a good guy and that looks can be deceiving. The red in Brozel’s film symbolises the bloodshed Macbeth causes in the original play. Brozel’s ‘Macbeth Retold’ and Shakespeare’s Macbeth are linked in many ways. Through plot, characters, and some themes. Yet they share distinct differences including each ‘Macbeths’ character traits, setting and views on woman in society. Because Brozel made changes to his ‘Macbeth Retold’ it became successful as a film. The differences strengthened the success.