Thursday, March 23, 2006

Macbeth’s Brief Candle

Life’s Brief Candle
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Watching Macbeth is terrifying. From the beginning, where the three witches bury a hand until the end of the film. This film is not suitable for those under eighteen years old and those who are afraid of blood and violence.
Almost many people know about Macbeth (or at least have heard about it). What I want to talk about here is the symbolism used in this play. The first scene, where the three witches bury a hand symbolises sins done by Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. It is also foreshadow the later scene where we will see Macbeth kills the King, who is also his cousin. His envy towards the King’s son made him become a murderer. Here, the role of Lady Macbeth reflects the ability of a woman to make a man at his peak of stardom or at the lowest level. I am not trying to say that all female are bad (because I am a girl too).
Now, the issue about hand, which symbolises Macbeth and his wife sins also parallel to another play, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Blanche DuBois is always taking bath or washing her hair. Like Lady Macbeth who always wash her hand.
These action is reflecting their desire to wash off their past sins, but unable to do so because they always been haunted by it.
So, the end of Macbeth’s life is very terrifying. I do not want to write here how he died, because all of us had watched it. One important message that I got after watching this film is, do not be too arrogant. One day, you will be defeat by someone who seems inferior to you.

1 comment:

Keri said...

I am very much enjoying reading your blog! I found it theu Ash's blog. I am a drama teacher in America, somI was very excited to finf you writing asbout drama and theatre! I teach Shakespeare specifically, and direct Shakespeare plays with my young students. I can't wait to read more of your blog!