The Theme Of Madness In Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho

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Madness
Alfred Hitchcock is known for his masters of works in the film industry. The film he is most famous for is Psycho. Alfred Hitchcock`s Psycho was critically acclaimed not only in the horror genre but within the entire film scene. It encompasses several key themes, which are portrayed through cinematic devices such as camera movement and sound, sound, lighting and costume and set design. The subject of madness becomes increasingly evident as the film progresses, centering on the peculiar character that is Norman Bates.
Hitchcock’s Psycho portrays the theme of madness during the scene where Marion is taking a shower, having resolved to return to Phoenix, and give back the stolen money (Crowther, 1). The scene is presented in one zoomed …show more content…

The scene utilizes different camera angles, such as from eye-level of the characters, to a more obscure angle with the camera on the ground facing up at them. The shot captures Norman in a sinister and peculiar nature fashion, which is later revealed to be resultant from his madness. There is the use of differing camera shots, from the wide shot of Norman and Marion at the beginning of their conversation, to the close-up of the character’s faces later on. Zooming in on Marion and Norman’s face, for instance, reveals a considerable sharp contrast between the lighting that befalls their faces. The omnidirectional light softly illuminates Marion, while in contrast, it harshly illuminates Norman, forming shadows on his face, alluding to his dual personalities and by extension, to his mentally challenged nature. The taxidermy birds which hang on the walls, are perhaps the most daunting and noticeable mise-en-scene within the parlor scene (Ebert, 1). The birds occupy a dual nature, just as is the case with Norman’s psyche; they seem to watch him intently, as a predator would watch its prey, while concurrently, they appear to linger above him like sinister

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