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Shogun Macbeth

§ November 15th, 2008 § Filed under Shogun Macbeth § 25 Comments

The most striking scene in Shogun Macbeth is the scene in which Lady Macbeth and Macbeth first talk of the plan to kill King Duncan, thus usurping the throne.  The scene was intriguing as it brilliantly illuminated the relationship between the two on stage.  In Shakespeare’s rendering Lady Macbeth has a powerful hold over her husband so much so that she can push him through cowardice and consciousness to partake in deeds for political gain.   It is understood that this strong hold that Lady Macbeth has over her husband stems from a psychosexual relationship.  Shogun Macbeth illustrates this relationship as the two engage in a long, hot, kiss that ends with Macbeth being parked atop Lady Macbeth wanting to take this act a step further.  Later in the scene, Lady Macbeth continues to gently kiss and rub her husband along his entire body.  These overtly sexual acts shocked the reserved theatre audience while also representing the true nature of the married couple’s relationship that underlies the play.

The scene is also striking, as it is the first of many times that Lady Macbeth questions her husband’s manhood, thus essentially forcing him to act beyond his own true set of morals.  At one point in the adaption while the couple is sitting side-by-side, Lady Macbeth takes the sword rapidly from her husband’s holster.  This act is alarming as it reverses gender roles and puts Lady Macbeth in a position of power and superiority over her husband.  The scene foreshadows future times when Lady Macbeth will mock her husband’s manhood and the scene is also symbolic, as she has essentially and symbolically left the natural soldier disarmed and helpless against her attacks on his morals.