Macbeth Act IV, Scene i

How do Shakespeare's use of stage directions bespeak the notions of the supernatural?

Quotes to support your answer.

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Macbeth Act III, scene ii

At the end of Act I, scene v, we see Lady Macbeth urge her husband to “look like th’ innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”. In other words, she encourages him to hide his true feelings. In this scene, we see an interesting insight into Lady Macbeth’s true feelings. Read her four-line soliloquy at the beginning of the scene and write a paragraph about its deeper meaning with quotes and techniques. 200 words.

Again, as in Act II, scene ii, we find Lady Macbeth attempting to stop Macbeth’s spiralling journey into a state of guilt and anguish. Whether she is worried only for him or for the both of them, Macbeth appears unable to think about anything else. Discuss the role they play in this scene and how it lays the platform for how they cope later in the play. Use quotes and techniques. 200 words.

Post your answers by the end of period 3.

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Romeo and Juliet - Balcony Film Analysis

Romeo and Juliet – 1996

Baz Luhrmann

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The Balcony Scene

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Camera Angles – Luhrmann uses an establishing shot with his mise-en-scene and we see the wonderfully elaborate courtyard, complete with Renaissance statues, fairy lights, ornate pillars and a decadent pool, symbolising the wealth and influence of the Capulet family.

Luhrmann is careful not to stray too far from Shakespeare’s classic romantic scene; while Shakespeare presents Juliet on a balcony out of reach of Romeo, Luhrmann has the two young lovers side-by-side. However, when Juliet climbs the stairs back to her balcony, Luhrmann uses contrasting low and high camera angles to engage the audience and make us feel as if we are both by the pool with Romeo and up above with Juliet. The big close-ups on the “star cross’d lovers” faces highlight their infatuation with each other.

Lighting – As it is night, the courtyard is only lit up by several spotlights that give a soft and romantic glow to the pool and surrounds. Luhrmann combines clever symbolism with this lighting as he uses fairy lights to make the courtyard almost look like heaven, with thousands of stars shining brightly above.

Costume/Make-Up – Luhrmann cleverly dresses Romeo as a Knight in armour and has Juliet depicted as an angel. It is almost as if Romeo is rescuing Juliet from her inevitable marriage to Paris, like the proverbial ‘knight in shining armour’. Reflective of her age and innocence, Juliet is shown to the audience as an angel; while her wings have been removed since the party, she is still dressed in white, representing the ideals of purity, youth and love.

Sound/Music – As the young lovers begin to divulge their feelings and exchange “thy love’s faithful vows”, Luhrmann uses romantic music with classical violins and piano to the tune of Desiree’s ‘Kissing You’. The subsequent atmosphere created is one of romance, lust and excitement, representing the feelings of Romeo and Juliet.

Symbolism – All around the Capulet’s pool are Renaissance statues of angels, gods and other naked nymphs. This symbolises the period in the 15^th and 16^th Century where romantic pursuits such as art, music and love were more highly valued than money and business. Romeo and Juliet are seen as “deny[ing] thy father” and engorging themselves in a world where their young love is more important than anything else in the world.

The pool itself is seen as a symbol of purity and rebirth. As the two lovers fall into the pool, it is symbolic of their cleansing; Romeo rids the memories of Rosaline from his heart and Juliet clears her mind of Paris. With their minds clear, their love is ‘born’ and the couple kiss in the pool.

But what about Dialogue?

Find 5 quotes from each of the two lovers that speaks about the themes of love and feuding families.