Shakespeare and Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Shakespeare and Film - Essay Example Kurosawan depiction of Shakespearean heroes follows the same intense pattern with rich historical background, and similar to Shakespeare’s approach the Japanese director used his work to comment on the history of Japan. The movie that is under discussion is titled â€Å"Throne of blood† that is a transposition of a Shakespeare’s most renowned tragedy â€Å"Macbeth†. Both stories are not only intense political dramas but also gives great deal of insight into the psyche of a psychotic killer. (Goodwin, 1994) Akira Kurosawa has translated all aspects and themes of Macbeth into Japanese culture by setting the story against the backdrop of one of the most turbulent times in Japan that is often referred to as the â€Å"Sengoku Jidai† which means â€Å"The age of the country at war†. The events have been believed to have transpired during the Muromachi period, a time when the violation of the samurai code was rampant and a serious moral misconduct i n the Japanese society. Analogously, the backdrop of the machinations of a brave yet, misguided Scottish general named Macbeth, who is represented by Samurai Washizu in the film as he plots to gain control over the throne of the Spider web forest reigned by Lord Tsuzuki. (Galloway, 2005; Rowe, 2011; Yoshimoto, 2000) Kurosawa has incorporated elements of Noh Theater, which is the traditional Japanese theatrical presentation in the film. The movie also delves deep in to spiritual aspect of the movie in order to make it more relatable to the Japanese audiences and show the multitude of interpretations that can be drawn from Shakespearean text. The movie starts off by showing the facade of the Spider web castle, which highlights the primary theme of the story that is â€Å"lust and pursuit of power†. The supernatural elements are introduced into the first scene of the movie and unlike Macbeth the three witches are represented by an old ghost woman, spinning fabric with a wheel as Samurai Washizu and his companion Samurai Miki; who corresponds to the character of Banquo, are making their journey back to the castle through the forest. (Kunio, 2005) Kurosawa has used mist and fog as key elements of the opening shots in order to show the ambiguity and doubt that will haunt all the main characters in the movie. The misty visualization can also be taken to represent that superficial pursuit for greater wealth, power and position can cloud one’s judgment and often lead to an unsettled conscience constantly lambasting the individual. Another observation that further supports the postulation regarding the theme that Kurosawa wanted to incorporate in his movie was the use of â€Å"Spinning wheel† by the spirit that is a vague reference to the notion of karma and the belief of â€Å"what goes around comes around†. The movie’s production had commenced during a time when Japan was overcoming one of the greatest disaster that it has endured du ring the Second World War as a result of the nuclear bombing on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was the same carnage and violence that was then recreated in the movie with the use of intense shots of bloodshed and brutality that shows the ravages of war. Kurosawa has not only attempted to entail the bloody themes of Macbeth but also the painful tragedy that affected the entire Japanese society immensely. Furthermore, besides the generic message that the director has encompassed in the movie, the entry of Lady