Three Witches In The Welles Version example essay topic

I am going to look at two different versions of Shakespeare's Macbeth and study the differences in the first scene and why they have been changed in different ways. Both the Welles and the Polanski versions are similar to Shakespeare's version, but have been slightly altered. Welles has extended the dialogue by adding in the ingredients of the witches cauldron. This helps not only create an eeriness as the ingredients are strange, but also gives a more foul image of the witches' as the ingredients are revolting. Because the dialogue has been changed to include this, it is immediately known who the three characters are, as the revolting ingredients are very stereotypical of witches. The first line in the Welles and the Polanski version is said by all the witches, whereas in the Shakespeare version, it is said by only one of the witches.

Having all the witches say the first line helps catch the viewers attention as it seems more dramatic, it also brings the witches together as a unit. The Polanski version has been shortened and simplified slightly. Less is said creating a mysterious effect and also leaving more to the imagination. It is not as obvious that the three characters are witches in the Polanski version, this also makes the characters seem mysterious. The Polanski version seems a lot less rehearsed then the Welles version, making you think more about what is actually going on. Both versions end with the same line: "There to meet with Macbeth".

This brings both scenes to a close explaining what they are planning, and it also incorporates the name of the film. The dialogue is delivered in very different ways within the two versions. The witches in the Welles version have strange voices making the dialogue stand out. It also makes them appear different creating an uneasiness about them.

The dialogue flows smoothly making it seem as if the witches know what the others are going to say. This once again makes them appear more of a unit. The witches pause before saying the last word, 'Macbeth'. This helps make more of an impact on the name as there is silence before it is said making you think about what is happening.

It is said in a whispery voice making it stand out from the rest of the dialogue which means you are more likely to remember it. In the Polanski version, the witches has relatively normal voices. They sound old, as they speak slowly. This gives you more time to concentrate on what is being said, and to think about what is happening. When the witches speak together, they do not speak at exactly the same time. This makes it look a lot less rehearsed and creates a strange 'droney's sound making it more mysterious and haunting.

The witches stop briefly in the middle of the dialogue to carry out an action. This also gives you more time to look at what they are doing and think about what is happening. Apart from that, there aren't any definite stops during the dialogue, once again showing it to be less rehearsed then Welles version. In the Welles version, there is a constant background music.

The music is slightly strange and scary, which creates an eeriness about the witches. There are little sound effects as there is music, but there is the sound of the cauldron bubbling. This makes the ingredients seem even more revolting as the sound of the bubbling is unpleasant. The music stops briefly before the witches say their last word 'Macbeth'. As I explained, this is make a bigger impact on the name. The music changes slightly when the credits roll.

It turns into more of a marching music. This could symbolism many things. The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that the story contains many battles and marching is often associated with soldiers. There isn't any background music in the Polanski version until near the end of the scene. There are however, many sound effects.

The fact that there is no music helps emphasise the isolation of the witches and the fact they are in a very desolate place. This is emphasised even more with the use of the sound effects. There is the sound of a bird, this once again makes the place seem very far from civilisation. There was also the sound of the three witches and their actions which sound loud as there is no background music. Towards the end of the scene, There is music. However, the music is very strange, and is in no way tuneful.

It is in a minor key which helps the scene to appear very eerie. The three witches in the Welles version are easily recognised as witches. They are wearing long black cloaks which is stereotypical of witches. As I mentioned, their dialogue is also very stereotypical of witches meaning you can immediately recognise them as witches.

The witches in the Polanski version are not so stereotypical. They look very ragged, making you immediately aware that they are different to normal people. However, it is mainly due to their dialogue that they are recognised as witches, and not so much their image. The Welles version is black and white due to the fact it was made in 1948. The witches appear as silhouettes on a cliff against a whitish sky. This means that there isn't a clear view of the witches and what they look like, creating an eeriness about them.

The scene consists mainly of shots of there cauldron which is bubbling violently. Together with the dialogue, the whole scene seems rather sickening as the image of the cauldron bubbling is not pleasing to the eye. The contents of the cauldron appears to be black and very thick, showing that many ingredients have been put in. The last word 'Macbeth' is said as they hold up a doll that they have created from the mixture in the cauldron.

This shows that the doll is meant to represent Macbeth. The first shot in the Polanski version is a long shot of the horizon. The clouds in the sky move very quickly showing time passing and to help create a mysterious setting. The fact that a long shot is used shows us how isolated the place is. It appears to be a waste land with little life. The witches then meet here and the camera shots are all very close up to show in detail what they are doing.

There is a brief long shot of a seagull to once again show the silence of the place. As the witches depart, the camera stays still and the witches move further and further away from it into the mist. They eventually disappear as the screen becomes overcome with mist and changes to the title screen. This gives the effect the witches are just disappearing to somewhere we do not know.

The title fades on, and then fades off again, giving no definite ending to the scene creating an uneasiness. The music doesn't change through-out the title scene. On the whole, I think the visual images in the Polanski version leave you with more to think about, whereas in the Welles version it is easily known what is going on.