In the films you have studied to what extent do you find Lady Macbeth to be a fourth witch?

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In the films you have studied to what extent do you find Lady Macbeth to be a fourth witch?

Roman Polanski’s version of Macbeth was staged in 1971, Macbeth was played by Jon Finch and Lady Macbeth was played by Francesca Annis.

The BBC production was staged in 1982, Macbeth was played by Nicol Williamson and Lady Macbeth was played by Jane Lapotaire.

The Royal Shakespeare Production was staged in 1978, Macbeth played by Ian McKellen and Lady Macbeth played by Judy Dench.

 In Polanski’s  production Lady Macbeth was first introduced at the start of Act one Scene five, when she receives a letter from Macbeth unveiling the prophesies from the witches. Her costume is Shakespearean in period, in keeping with the time the play was written and it is bright and colourful. Polanski interprets Lady Macbeth to be a young and beautiful lady and also she is shown frail and innocent; for example, at the last speech of act one scene five, Lady Macbeth calls evil spirits to possess her body. This is a very dramatic and powerful speech but yet she talks faintly. Apart from Francesca Annis in my opinion acting out this speech poorly, Polanski leaves out a vital part of this speech:

 

                                   “Nor keep peace between

Th’effect and it. Come to my woman’s breasts,

And take my milk for gall, you murth’ ring ministers,

Whatever, in your sightless substances,

Join now!

You wait on Nature’s mischief.”

I feel this was a great mistake by Polanski. This scene was shown as if it had no importance; it was rushed through, not giving a true affect on the audience. Lady Macbeth through this speech is running down the stairs to meet Duncan, this doesn’t show that she is serious in calling evil spirits which I think Shakespeare intended it to be.

Lady Macbeth’s witch like character is first shown in this speech as she blocks out the good and calls up the spirits of evil.

In the BBC production Lady Macbeth’s ...

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