Act V, Scene VIII – Sound Effect

In the final scene of the play, Macbeth and Macduff finally confront each other, and Macduff kills Macbeth. Before this though, in their interaction, Macduff states, “…Macduff was from his mother’s womb/Untimely ripped.” (V.viii.19-20). This leads Macbeth to realize that the prophecy is coming true, and that he will die. Once Macduff speaks this line, I would play a sound effect of grave realization. The clip I chose (the sound from 0:05-0:09) represents this well, because of the way that it starts slow, then speeding up and becoming high-pitched, accurately reflecting the building tension of the scene.

Citation

“Sudden Realization Sound Effect | HQ.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 Jan. 2017, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD5wC81R_Pg&t=14s.

 

Act V, Scene VII – Acting Choice

In Scene VII, Macbeth kills Young Siward, and it seems that his hope and sanity is wearing thin. I would encourage the actor playing Macbeth to start acting very crazy and start raging towards Young Siward, leading to him dying. The photo I chose to represent is accurate because it portrays a man obviously losing his sanity. I want Macbeth’s character portrayed in this way to further cause the audience to desympathize with him and be afraid of him.

Citation

“Crazy Rage Guy.” Teh Meme Wiki, meme.wikia.com/wiki/Crazy_Rage_Guy.

Act V, Scene VI – Sound Effect

Scene VI marks the beginning of the battle. As the rebel troops enter the stage, drums play. I would choose a triumphant drum sound, signaling the victory that is yet to come. The clip I chose accurately portrays this because of the simplicity, yet the loud volume of the drums gives a off a sense of winning.

Citation

Wikingerfreak. “Medieval War Drums 2.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 Oct. 2016, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcH88pWXXx0.

 

Act V, Scene V – Sound Effect

In Scene V as Macbeth is preparing for battle, Lady Macbeth dies. This is signified by the stage direction, “A cry within of women.” (V.v.8). To honor this, I would use a scream that sounded very panicked and crazed to reflect Lady Macbeth in her last days. The sound I chose reflects this well, but I would shorten it, only using the sound from 0:00 to 0:04. The scream in this clip is very uncontrolled, and would accurately represent Lady Macbeth.

Citation

baniger3711. “SOUND EFFECT DERANGED WOMAN SCREAM.” YouTube, YouTube, 13 May 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFqHyCoypfM.

 

Act V, Scene IV – Costumes

In Scene IV, the rebels are told to camouflage themselves when moving towards Macbeth’s castle. This scene fulfills part of the prophecy, where the witches say that Birnam Wood will move towards the castle, which ends up happening. The photo I chose represents this because the men seem to be marching together camouflaged, which is the picture the scene creates in the reader’s mind.

Citation

Thomas, Guy. “Camouflage in Nature – Military Disguise.” Funny Camouflage in Nature | Military Disguise, http://www.guy-sports.com/funny/camouflage.htm.

Act V, Scene III – Character

In Scene III, I would have Macbeth’s character acting overconfident about his chances in battle. He is already acting this way, telling his servants to “…hang those that talk of fear.” (V.iii.42), but I would make the actor over-emphasize this. The photo I chose represents this best because the man in the drawing is puffing his chest out, acting prideful. This would give Macbeth an inflated sense of pride, while also showing that his overconfidence is a sham, due to how much he is emphasizing it.

Citation

allen, troy w. “Crashing into Life.” Being Boastful about Right Things, 13 Aug. 2011, troywallen.blogspot.com/2011/08/being-boastful-about-right-things.html.

Act V, Scene II – Set

In Scene II, lines are exchanged between several of the Scottish rebels near Birnam Wood. I would place them in a sparse forest on a clear day. The picture I chose would be projected behind the actors. It will represent this well because the branches on the trees are sparse, and there is not a lot of grass on the ground.

Citation

bato93. “Sparse Forest by the Sea.” Flickr, Yahoo!, 9 Dec. 2007, http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyandpeter/2098343233.

Act V, Scene I – Actor’s Note

In this first scene of Act V, Lady Macbeth is observed in her rapidly declining mental state. She has begun to have visions while sleepwalking, saying odd things like “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” (V.i.49-50). Since Lady Macbeth’s lines are no longer written in verse, I would encourage the actress to let her words run together, and to be furiously wiping her hands, staring at them in awe. The photo I chose represents this idea because of the way that the woman in the picture is staring at her hands, and the visions of blood that appear. The background also displays how disorderly she is acting.

Citation

“SFG: Spots.” Josh Pincus Is Crying, 4 July 2008, 6:34 pm, blog.marshotelonline.com/2008/07/04/sfg-spots/.

Act IV, Scene III – Costume

In Scene III, Malcolm and Macduff rendezvous in England, by King Edward’s palace. To avoid looking too conspicuous, I would have them dressed in common clothes. The picture I chose best represents this because of the neutral colors and plain fashion. The audience would still be able to tell who the characters are, but it makes sense to dress them in this way, because it expresses the amount of secrecy needed in this plan, as they don’t want to be discovered.

Citation:

Linda. “A New Outfit for A.” Handcrafted History, WordPress.com, 27 Jan. 2017, handcraftedhistory.blog/2017/01/27/a-new-outfit-for-a/.

Act IV, Scene II – Special Effects

In Scene II of Act IV, Lady Macduff and her children are killed after Macduff flees Scotland. When the murderers come in and say “Where is your husband?” (IV. ii.92), I would use a sound effect of thunder and red strobe lights to indicate danger and peril. These effects would continue to be used during the end of the act where the first child is killed and the murderers chase Lady Macduff offstage. I am choosing to use these effects because they show that an obvious danger has come, and they can feel the tension and suspense of the moment.

Citation

MrSoundtabel. “Thunder Sound Effect.” YouTube, YouTube, 14 Aug. 2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-BOPr7NXME.