Destiny Jones
English 12
Period 4
February 26th, 2017
Unit 3 Comparison Essay: Topic 3 The adaptation of a play by Shakespeare to a film of a different culture can only be done if done correctly. Akira Kurosawa managed to do this flawlessly by creating “Throne of Blood” uniquely, but also along a similar storyline of the famous play “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare. Kurosawa saw a chance to accomodate 16th century Japan to what was happening in Scotland during the 11th century, which was the time period that Macbeth had taken place. There are numerous similarities that can be seen within the settings of both pieces. The foundations of “The Tragedy of Macbeth” and “Throne of Blood” took numerous aspects of culture and tradition …show more content…
The setting in Macbeth is usually in dark, dreary atmospheres which give the audience the impression that there won’t be anything good coming at the end of this play. Kurosawa did the exact same thing in his motion picture film. The setting is set in fall and there is really no scene that shows sunshine or any kind of bright weather. Just like in Macbeth, “Throne of Blood” opens up in a scene with foggy air and thick grey weather. Kurosawa filmed the film on Mount Fiji so it was easy to create that kind of setting naturally. In the play, any music that was played sounds more Renaissance and English like. In Kurosawa's film, the music is classical Japanese music that is heard more because it is a motion picture film. The music is intense at some scenes, for example any war scene, and it carries out the scene most effectively. The castle settings for both narratives are different because of where they take place. Macbeth takes place in typical Scottish castles. “Throne of Blood” takes place in Japanese castles , …show more content…
In “Throne of Blood”, the ceremony is set outside in a place where all the warriors may gather to commend the two for their accomplishments. When Macbeth and Banquo enter to hear their great news, it is taken place inside the castle with only a few nobles and the king. The night where the plan to kill the king had taken place contrast each other well. Macbeth is at Duncan’s kingdom, just like Washizu is at Great Lord’s castle. There is a bell that signals Macbeth that it is time to kill Duncan. There is a crow that croaks to signal Washizu it is time to kill Great Lord. The second time to meet the three witches is at two different locations for the two narratives. In “The Tragedy of Macbeth” the witches are met in a cavern and there is a big cauldron to show the new predictions to Macbeth. In “Throne of Blood”, Washizu is just met by the spirit in the forest and told his prediction. The ending scenes differ in ways too. To add more of a dramatic effect for Macbeth’s limited time before death, Shakespeare shows transitions between Birnam Wood and Dunsinane. The audience is able to see both sides more clearly due to the two transitions between both settings in the play. Macbeth’s death becomes nothing private because during the war, Macbeth is killed on the battlefield by getting his head cut off. The scene in “Throne of Blood” to counterpart this scene complete contrasts the other. In “Throne of
English 12
Period 4
February 26th, 2017
Unit 3 Comparison Essay: Topic 3 The adaptation of a play by Shakespeare to a film of a different culture can only be done if done correctly. Akira Kurosawa managed to do this flawlessly by creating “Throne of Blood” uniquely, but also along a similar storyline of the famous play “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare. Kurosawa saw a chance to accomodate 16th century Japan to what was happening in Scotland during the 11th century, which was the time period that Macbeth had taken place. There are numerous similarities that can be seen within the settings of both pieces. The foundations of “The Tragedy of Macbeth” and “Throne of Blood” took numerous aspects of culture and tradition …show more content…
The setting in Macbeth is usually in dark, dreary atmospheres which give the audience the impression that there won’t be anything good coming at the end of this play. Kurosawa did the exact same thing in his motion picture film. The setting is set in fall and there is really no scene that shows sunshine or any kind of bright weather. Just like in Macbeth, “Throne of Blood” opens up in a scene with foggy air and thick grey weather. Kurosawa filmed the film on Mount Fiji so it was easy to create that kind of setting naturally. In the play, any music that was played sounds more Renaissance and English like. In Kurosawa's film, the music is classical Japanese music that is heard more because it is a motion picture film. The music is intense at some scenes, for example any war scene, and it carries out the scene most effectively. The castle settings for both narratives are different because of where they take place. Macbeth takes place in typical Scottish castles. “Throne of Blood” takes place in Japanese castles , …show more content…
In “Throne of Blood”, the ceremony is set outside in a place where all the warriors may gather to commend the two for their accomplishments. When Macbeth and Banquo enter to hear their great news, it is taken place inside the castle with only a few nobles and the king. The night where the plan to kill the king had taken place contrast each other well. Macbeth is at Duncan’s kingdom, just like Washizu is at Great Lord’s castle. There is a bell that signals Macbeth that it is time to kill Duncan. There is a crow that croaks to signal Washizu it is time to kill Great Lord. The second time to meet the three witches is at two different locations for the two narratives. In “The Tragedy of Macbeth” the witches are met in a cavern and there is a big cauldron to show the new predictions to Macbeth. In “Throne of Blood”, Washizu is just met by the spirit in the forest and told his prediction. The ending scenes differ in ways too. To add more of a dramatic effect for Macbeth’s limited time before death, Shakespeare shows transitions between Birnam Wood and Dunsinane. The audience is able to see both sides more clearly due to the two transitions between both settings in the play. Macbeth’s death becomes nothing private because during the war, Macbeth is killed on the battlefield by getting his head cut off. The scene in “Throne of Blood” to counterpart this scene complete contrasts the other. In “Throne of