Lady Macbeth In The Film 'Scotland PA'

Unquestionably, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as being in less control of many situations in the film “Scotland PA”, one such example being when Macbeth contemplates how to kill his next victim, Macduff. Macbeth nearly completely prevents Lady Macbeth from having knowledge of the plan to eventually try and kill Macduff, evident from the moment the witches update his prophecy in his restaurant. More specifically, on the night of their death in their own basement, Macbeth left his wife for the last time acting drunk, leading him to go on to make a split decision to attempt to fulfill the prophecy one last time. He continually reassured her with phrases that could be interpreted as “relax, I got this” and “I just want to make you happy” whenever she …show more content…
However, as seen frequently throughout other parts of the play, Lady Macbeth has always had a major influence on the end result of a murder or a death, specifically because she always has colorful conversations with Macbeth beforehand. It is evident that Shakespeare is implying that the two had a conversation, in which Lady Macbeth had her typical influential effect. It is later seen through a conversation between Lennox and the Lord that Macbeth has made up his mind, because Lord announces “and this report hath so exasperate the king that he prepares for some attempt of war,” (3.6.37-39). Lady Macbeth is still rather well minded at this point in the play and has much more control over what is eventually going to take place after consulting with the king about Macduff’s planned murder than in the Billy Morrissette’s film interpretation. Instead of implying that a conversation occurred, the film adds a new scene involving a revealing conversation and uses visual imagery of the less control Lady Macbeth holds over her husband’s eventual quarrel with …show more content…
Indeed, it may first appear as if Lady Macbeth has more control because her uncontrollable mouth is often on display. However, this argument undoubtedly fails to notice one critical element; Macbeth is evidently still the one making the final calls and decisions on the murders of the characters, and is much more involved in the murder itself than he ever was in the play. Macbeth made the decision to eventually kill Duncan at his restaurant, Macbeth made the decision to kill one of his best friends in Banquo, and Macbeth made the decision to attempt to kill Lieutenant Macduff, all with noticeably more control over throughout the enactment of the situations. Words are certainly powerful to a certain extent, but when all is said and done, actions speak louder than