Macbeth - directing Act 4 scene 1. What Kind of Atmosphere do you think the Witches should create in the scene?

Macbeth

What Kind of Atmosphere do you think the Witches should create in the scene?

Act 4 scene 1 Speech

Should begin with a mysterious atmosphere which transforms into a scary atmosphere later on.
Should create an uncomfortable atmosphere within the audience and characters by using rhyming couplets.
Rhyming couplets was important in the 16th century because the audience in the theatre would understand it more.
The supernatural effect is purely based on Shakespeare's use of language, which is rhyming words.
Witches should speak short sentences to make sure that the audience has the right amount of suspense that wishes them to want to know more.
I would describe the witches’ personality by saying they're devious and extremely un-predictable; they can also have a different side by dropping hints to cause confusion.

In act 4 scene 1, I think that they should start with a mysterious atmosphere which transforms into a scary atmosphere later on. This is good because there will be suspense as the play carries on. Furthermore, the witches should create an uncomfortable atmosphere within the audience and characters by using rhyming couplets. The use of rhyming couplets was important in the 16th century because the audience in the theatre would understand it more. The supernatural effect is purely based on Shakespeare’s use of language which is rhyming words. The witches should speak short sentences to make sure the audience has the right amount of suspense that wishes them to want to know more. I would describe the witches’ personality by saying there devious and extremely unpredictable; they can also have a different side by dropping hints to cause confusion.

How does the speech of the witches compare to that of the other characters in terms of its structure? Speech

Makes the audience intimidated, they speak as if they are one of the same.
The audience is intimidated and scared of the unity of the witches.
The Audience feels what the characters feel, anticipation of what bad deed the witches will do next.
The witches narrate the play, and also control it.
They all speak at the same time
They use rhyming couplets to give a supernatural effect by saying snake, bake, frog, dog.

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How does the speech of the witches compare to that of the other characters in terms of its structure? Speech

Makes the audience intimidated, they speak as if they are one of the same.
The audience is intimidated and scared of the unity of the witches.
The Audience feels what the characters feel, anticipation of what bad deed the witches will do next.
The witches narrate the play, and also control it.
They all speak at the same time
They use rhyming couplets to give a supernatural effect by saying snake, bake, frog, dog.
The witches make it intense by using words such as brindled and chawdron when there doing the spells.

The witches’ speech makes the audience intimadated; they speak as if they are one of the same. The audience is intimidated and is scared of the unity of the witches.Furthermore, the audience feels what the character feels, anticipation of what bad deeds the witches will do next. The witches narrate the play, and also control it as they speak at the same time to make it tenser. They use rhyming couplets to give a supernatural effect by saying snake, bake, frog, dog. The witches make it intense by using words such as brindled and chawdron when there doing there spells.

How would you produce the play differently for Elizabethan times compared to 2010 ?

I would change a few things such as

Special effects such as lighting when there is mystery to enhance emotions such as anger, happiness, frustration and fright.
Different angles where the lighting is, to show character expression, this can also be used for pathetic fallacy. So if the character feels small and
Make the actors come closely towards the crowd, to make them more involved and get a chance to have an insight into the play.
There would be music for dramatic effects well as to clearly state the emotions of characters.
Play more realistic with use of sound effects,projection,microphones

The things I would change would be special effects such as lighting and microphones when there is mystery to enhance emotions such as anger, happiness, frustration and fright. There would be different angles where the lighting is, to show the character expression, this can also be used for pathetic fallacy. So if the characters feel small and claustrophobic, they will be squeezed into a corner of some kind to show that they feel as if something is blocking their way. I would also make the actors come closely towards the crowd, to make them more involved and get a chance to have an insight into the play. There would also be music for dramatic effects well as to clearly state the emotions of characters.

How would you direct the witches in the play / main question ?

You would direct them as:

Intimidating, and very scary. They would be crouched down, with a croaked voice. And sometimes they would stare into open space whilst speaking, to show that they think something is guiding them like magic.

Opinions and thoughts about the Witches

They created all of the suspense throughout the play.
Overall act 4 scene 1 shows the witches true intentions, their 'true colours'.
Shakespeare emphasises the fact that the Witches get what they want, and they use others to do it for them.
It has a strong supernatural atmosphere as they are chanting, preparing spells.
I would like the audience to go away thinking that the witches are bizarre and not be meddled with. And that the without the witches the play would have been boring.

Overall act 4 scene 1 shows the witches’ there true intentions. The witches created all the suspense throughout the play. The Witches create tension by preparing the potion whilst frightening another character. As Macbeths questions are being answered by suspense is being built for the audience preparing them for crucial moments in the play.Shakespeare emphasises the fact that witches get what they want, and they use others to do it for them.

There was a strong supernatural atmosphere as they were chanting and preparing spells. Moreover, I would like the audience to go away thinking that the witches are bizarre and not to be meddled with, and that without the witches the play would not have been as thrilling. In conclusion there is a moral be more grateful for what you have as greed and power can easily lead to misery.

By Khalil Talib 10s1