Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth has been revived yet again in 2022, this time by some of the greatest actors like Denzel Washington and s McDormand. Joel Coen gives the tragic play a more horror feel in his Apple TV+ adaptation, The Tragedy of Macbeth.
It is certainly a daring attempt but executed wonderfully due to the brilliant acting and marvelous delivery of famous lines. Many of these lines signify the ambition, madness, violence, and absence of free will in the Shakespearean tragedy, urging the viewers to relate them to the current crises.
Introduction Of The Infamous Three Witches
"Fair Is Foul, And Foul Is Fair." - The Witches
The three witches are the major motivating factor for Macbeth's fall and thus, they play a huge role in any screen adaptation of the Shakespearean play. This quote is how the audience gets introduced to the witches and in this particular adaptation, it is spoken most interestingly.
The screen is blank and the viewers can only hear the witches speaking this famous line. This creates a chilling atmosphere while the witches deliver the lines in the eeriest way possible. The line in itself is an extremely important quote as it conveys the major theme of the story. It means that what is considered to be good often turns out to be evil and what is considered bad is virtuous.
Reluctant Macbeth
"Come What May. Time And The Hour Runs Through The Roughest Day." - Macbeth
Macbeth speaks this line as he tries to dismiss the vile thought of killing Duncan to become the king himself. The quote means that things will run their course and even the darkest day has to end sometime. Denzel Washington delivers it with such simplicity that even someone who isn't too familiar with Macbeth can relate this line to their life events when they are trying to decide between right and wrong.
Through this statement, Macbeth tries to persuade himself not to think about killing Duncan and let things as they are now. Even though there are dark forces in his mind that are putting repulsive ideas in his mind and pushing him to sin, he knows that if he just stays idle, these thoughts will be put to rest.
Witnessing The Unearthly Witches
"Or Have We Eaten The Insane Root That Takes The Reason Prisoner?" - Banquo
At the beginning of the adaptation, Banquo says this line when he and Macbeth meet the witches and he fascinatingly puts his fears and doubts. Banquo means to ask Macbeth if they have taken a poison that is making them see hallucinations.
After seeing and hearing the witches' prophecy for himself and Macbeth, Banquo is shaken. He has never witnessed anything remotely related to the supernatural because he feels like he and Macbeth have gone mad if they are seeing witches disappearing into thin air.
Lady Macbeth Relinquishing Her Womanhood
"Unsex Me Here, And Fill Me From The Crown To The Toe Topful Of Direst Cruelty." - Lady Macbeth
This famous quote of Lady Macbeth is what makes her memorable for every Shakespeare enthusiast. Lady Macbeth says this in her monologue as she is asking the dark spirits to extract her femininity from her so she could convince her husband to sin murder. Femininity makes her a tender mother but the hour demands her to be a cruel conspirator so she could achieve her ambition of becoming the Queen.
The audience holds its breath as s McDormand acts brilliantly in this scene with real conviction that doesn't feel too dramatic. The scene feels authentic and her desire to become as cruel as possible to partake in murder is captivating when she speaks the line.
Beginning Of Macbeth's Downfall
"False Face Must Hide What The False Heart Doth Know." - Macbeth
As Lady Macbeth is finally able to persuade Macbeth into killing Duncan, Macbeth starts to make plans before carrying out the king's assassination. He says to Lady Macbeth that he must not forget to act as the loyal subject of King Duncan while planning to murder him in his sleep.
This is the first step Macbeth takes towards his downfall, albeit on the persuasion of his wife. He was hesitant until now but at this moment, he resolutely decides to commit the horrendous act of killing the king of Scotland who is also his guest at the moment.
Discovering Duncan's Death
"Tongue Nor Heart Cannot Conceive Nor Name Thee!" - Macduff
Macduff is horrified to find that King Duncan is dead. He comes running off the stairs, shouting "Horror! Horror! Horror!" upon seeing him murdered and it succeeds in creating a sense of horror among the audience as well as among the rest of the characters. Macduff is the only one to express raw and genuine grief upon the king's death.
Macduff goes on to shout that neither his tongue can utter nor his heart can accept that the King of Scotland has been assassinated. This honest reaction of horror and sorrow from Macduff for King Duncan directly contrasts how Macbeth's subjects will show distrust and suspicion towards him once he becomes the King.
Rhyming Supernatural
"Double, Double, Toil and Trouble. Fire Burn And Cauldron Bubble." - The Witches
This rhyming couplet is one of the most quoted lines of Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. It is chanted by the three witches when they are performing the spell to show Macbeth his fate when he is terrified for his life.
The quote in itself is a masterful piece of writing but in this adaptation, the witches recite it in the most bone-chilling way possible, enhancing the effect. This couplet not only depicts the evilness of the witches but acts as the voice of temptation in Macbeth's mind. He simply needed a nudge towards darkness and he is readily continuing on the path, no matter who needs to be killed in the way.
No Place For Remorse
"Things Without All Remedy Should Be Without Regard. What's Done Is Done." - Lady Macbeth
When Macbeth is struggling with his conscience after killing King Duncan, Lady Macbeth is there to soothe him. She conveys that there is no point in thinking about things that cannot be changed and advise Macbeth to move forward and take on his role as the new ruler.
Lady Macbeth's statement seems odd to say the least, considering she is also a conspirator behind the assassination. The words are simple but hold great meaning as it urges the audience to wonder whether one should live with the guilt of their past wrongdoings or forget the things that they have no more control over.
