http://www.bbc.co.

uk/iplayer/episode/b00wnstq/Macbeth/

In my opinion, the portrayal of Macbeth which shows Lady Macbeth in the harshest light is the 2010 adaptation of
Macbeth, directed by Rupert Goold and starring Patrick Stewart as Macbeth and Kate Fleetwood as Lady Macbeth,
because of the fact that Macbeth is shown as fully unable to commit regicide, and yet Lady Macbeth is still able to
persuade him. During Macbeth’s soliloquy in this adaptation, Macbeth is pouring wine into a decanter. He finishes
pouring this wine as he says “bear the knife myself”. There is a brief moment of hesitation between this quotation
and the Macbeth’s last words, and it could be suggested that this hesitation is the transition of Macbeth’s view, and
upon Macbeth’s saying these words, he imagines the instance occurring. However, his hands drop to his sides, and
because Macbeth could be imagining holding a knife, his hands by his sides show how, even when holding a knife
and being faced with the opportunity, Macbeth still would be unable to raise the knife to kill his king. A subtle
decision was made by the director in keeping the decanter in view when this is said, because if the decanter was out
of view, or in shadow, imagining a knife would be much easier. Because the decanter in Macbeth’s hand is in view, it
keeps the viewer focused on reality. Upon Lady Macbeth’s entrance, she talks casually to Macbeth whilst walking
past him. This nonchalance is effective in forcing the viewer to review the situation, and it foreshadows the coming
events, because the viewer is able to interpret Lady Macbeth’s reaction. Lady Macbeth says “know you not he has”
laughingly. This is a horrific portrayal of Lady Macbeth, because she is able to laugh at the murder she has planned.
Lady Macbeth immediately stops drying her hands and turns round, looking sourly at Macbeth. This look is of shame
and hatred, and Lady Macbeth folds her arms across her chest. Her body language forms a barrier between her and
Macbeth, and this is perhaps Lady Macbeth’s way of reducing the pain caused by the words she’s hearing. Her words
are spat with contempt and disgust, but what I consider most effective is the way she says “Letting [oh] I dare not
wait upon I would”. Her tone is girly and mocking, and the effect it has on Macbeth is paramount. To imitate a man
in this way would be tantamount to accusations of extreme femininity, which is why I think Macbeth responded with
a shout. His masculinity was challenged, and he had to dominate her physically, to show her that it should not be
challenged. Lady Macbeth says the lines “I have given suck” through to “as you have done to this” facing away from
Macbeth. Here we can see how Lady Macbeth must feel betrayed; perhaps even ashamed to look at Macbeth, but
the volume of her voice shows her authoritativeness. She screams the last few words, and this anger seems so all-
consuming, that it is unquenchable. This could be the reason for Macbeth’s change of heart, and consequently the
murder of King Duncan.

Lady Macbeth is shown in a terrifying way in Act 2 Scene 2. She elongates the word “me” in both her first two lines,
and I think this shows her importance. It is suggested that in her opinion, she is the focus point of each sentence and
she needs to be recognised for that. She says “he is about it” very slowly, and I consider this the most chilling line in
this scene. She says the words almost musically, giving each syllable its own pitch, and this way of speaking is almost
trance-like. The unnatural sounds she makes are witchy, and this induces fear in the viewer. When Lady Macbeth
takes the daggers from Macbeth, she holds them upright, one in each hand. This is a very aggressive stance, and the
way she enunciates her words reflects the fearlessness of her character; she even seems unshaken by the knowledge
that she is holding the weapons which killed her king. This is a beautiful summary of Lady Macbeth, because she is
portrayed as such an immobile, hardened human. Without this, Lady Macbeth would have no power over her
husband, and so she requires this powerful portrayal to successfull fulfil her role in the play. Later in this scene, Lady
Macbeth returns from wiping blood on the grooms, with blood covering her arms and chest. I think this simply
shows how Lady Macbeth was not afraid. Her fearlessness is reflected in the countenance of her character, and even
the way she walks seems controlled and unafraid. It could, however, be suggested, that her walk is too controlled,
and that she is possessed. The blood covering her chest and arms is a physical symbol of this ruthlessness, and it’s
bringing to existence was an example of her character. She was able to wipe blood on the guards and cover herself in
the blood she was responsible for.