Shakespeare to Shepard
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Act I, Scene 1 (Witches – planning on next meeting) 1971 Film
The scene opens on a beach, and before the audience sees the witches, the witches are heard. A cough sets the tone that these witches are old and decrepit – very much like a stereotypical witch. At first, the witches’ faces are not seen, but the audience can see that their clothes are tattered. This furthers the sense of old witches. As the witches dig a hole in the sand, an even darker tone is set as one witch pulls a noose out of a bag. Then a witch slowly unwraps a severed human hand, making the scene even more eerie for the audience. This whole time, the witches do not speak but seem connected with the understanding of their task. When the witches finally speak, after pouring a blood-like substance (quite possibly it is human blood) onto the buried hand/noose, they do not speak in perfect unison and say “Fair is foul, foul is fair…” in monotone voices. In the same monotone manner, the witches seem “all business” as they briefly discuss where to meet again. Finally, the witches slowly walk away in silence leaving the audience with a feeling of spookiness.
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Act I, Scene 3 (Witches – planning revenge) Theatre Production
In this stage play, the scene begins black as the witches enter. Then, before the witches begin to speak, a red circle of light illuminates the stage. This use of color sets a spooky tone. Additionally, the actors further this tone by remaining in the shadows as they perform the scene. As the witches begin to speak, the audience learns that they are not depicted as old, but instead as young women. These young witches speak and laugh as if they have been life-long friends. However, at some points the witches assume dance-like positions in unison as if they are connected on a non-human level. At the end of the scene when the witches cast their spell to seek revenge against the sailor’s wife, the three witches dance together in the red light circle and chant the spell together.
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Act I, Scene 1 (Witches – prophesizing to Macbeth and Banquo) East Hollywood High School movie
In this amateur film, the scene begins with a dark, suspenseful tone as the three witches pass in front of the camera without their faces showing, startling Macbeth and Banquo. This scene takes place in “modern day” and the characters wear modern-day apparel. Macbeth and Banquo follow the witches and when they come upon them, the witches are standing together behind a fire as if they have been there for a while. As Macbeth and Banquo approach the witches, they are transported from the woods into a run-down, graffitied building. The witches begin to speak, and their voices are other-worldly. Even one of the witches looks non-human. This tone is extremely creepy as the witches remain stationary and speak their prophecy. The witches do not move until they bow “hailing” Macbeth. Then the witches turn, pour a powder causing smoke, and disappear.
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Act III, Scene 5 (Hecate’s monologue) High School performance
This scene is a high school production, and while the actors are teenagers, they are very passionate and give a good performance. One of the best aspects of this scene is the make-up/masks that were used to portray the witches and Hecate. The use of white/pale make-up/masks makes the witches and Hecate look old and creepy. Additionally, the actress playing Hecate did a good job portraying her character as angry and intimidating to the Weird Sisters. By raising her voice and making the witches cower, Hecate came across as “in charge” and scary.