Macbeth vs. the Soviet Macbeth

Thesis: In Rupert Goold’s PBS version of Macbeth, he compares and contrasts the original Shakespearean play with the communistic dictator Macbeth of the modern day Soviet Union as portrayed by Sir Patrick Stewart.

We can compare the Macbeth and the Soviet Macbeth in their vocal deliverances of their personal soliloquies. Both of their delivers are persuading and make you feel an emotional connection with the character. These soliloquies show that both men are thinking and are forming personal ideas. These personal thoughts spark ambition which puts the play in motion. When Macbeth and Banquo ride home from battle they stop and rest. This is where Macbeth delivers his first personal soliloquy. Macbeth says, “If ill, why hath it given me earnest of success commencing in truth? I am the thane of Cawdor” (23). This personal reflection on recently being named the honorable Thane of Cawdor is the spark for his personal ambition. I believe we can also feel a connection with Macbeth when he finds out that Malcolm has been named Price of Cumberland. His speech makes us feel energized and a desire to gain the throne with Macbeth. These soliloquies show that there is mental and spiritual growth happening which can cause actions to happen.

Macbeth at the beginning of the play seems willing to kill to achieve his personal success. He says, “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’leaps itself and falls on the other” (41). Macbeth expresses emotional disinterest and hints he is willing to do anything. I believe we first see this when he is named Thane of Cawdor when he returns from battle with Banquo. In contrast, Roman Martel says, “Patrick Stewart is emotionally content and seems h...

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...smay with its darkness and its lack of light. The scenes with Stewart in them were all dark. The darkness represented that the error in the Great Chain of Being and how it was throw out of loop with the murder of Duncan.

Works Cited

Martel, Roman. “Case Number 20447-Macbeth 2012.” DVD Verdict Review. 5 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.http://www.dvdverdict.com/printer/macbeth2012.php.

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992. 224 pp. Print.

"Video: Macbeth | Watch Great Performances Online | PBS Video." PBS.org. Web. 01 Mar. 2012. .

Vile, Vikki J. "Stewart Is Sublime in Goold's Gory Show." PlayShakespeare.com. Web. 01 Mar. 2012. .