Comparative Assignment 1: Macbeth and Throne of Blood (Kumonosu-jo)

In this assignment you will put together a powerpoint including images or clips from Throne of Blood and explain to the class how Kurosawa's film translates Shakespeare's language and thematic imagery into a visual medium. THIS ASSIGNMENT IS COMPARATIVE; DO NOT SIMPLY ANALYSE THRONE OF BLOOD. I will have presented an example of this approach in my discussion of how the Weird Sisters are translated into a visual equivalent from Noh, influenced by the demonic hag of Kurozuka/Adachigahara and Yamamba and how such a translation affects the thematic issues of the influence of the supernatural on fate and free will, treason in a time of war, and the cycle of violence ("blood leads to blood").

Please choose from the following topics (see Comparative Assignment 1 sign-up sheet to sign up for a topic) by May 2nd at the latest.

In order to avoid too much repetition, you should discuss with your other presenters what you will present, so the clips/images do not simply replicate each other. Working together is fine; in that case you will receive a group grade. If you have another topic you want to do that is not on the list, please discuss it with me.

YOU HAVE 7 MINUTES FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION, 12 MINUTES FOR A GROUP PRESENTATION. YOU WILL BE TIMED.

General Questions to Consider:

1) How does Kurosawa translate Shakespeare's verbal imagery into visual images? Where does he expand the imagery so that it takes on new meaning? Give Shakespeare's lines and then show how Kurosawa "translates."

2) For nature imagery (1-3), look for examples of the pathetic fallacy at work in the movie - how natural phenomona "reflect" the emotional states of the characters. How does this compare to Shakespeare?

TOPIC CHOICES

1. Birnham Wood and Heath versus Spiderweb Forest: How do these locations -- the heath and Birnham Wood in Macbeth and Spiderweb Forest in Throne of Blood -- evoke the uncanny supernatural? You can also contrast the interior of the castle(s) to the wilder exteriors.

2. Nature (and particularly weather) as a reflection of normal or disrupted social relations and mental states: thunder and lightening, rain, fog, and sunlight. How are these used to indicate the presence of the uncanny or evil in the play and the film? How are they used to indicate a contrasting state of peace and tranquility?

3. Bird and animal imagery (ravens, owls, etc.): Birds are used as omens in both the play and film. We mainly get the sounds of birds in Throne of Blood versus descriptions of birds in Macbeth, but there is also the bird attack at the end of Throne of Blood treated as an omen that must be interpreted. Horses (described in Shakespeare, shown in Throne of Blood) play a bigger role visually in Throne of Blood (probably because it's hard to get a horse on stage) but horses were important to both warrior cultures and clearly have a role in Macbeth as omens as well.

4. Blood imagery in Throne of Blood compared to Macbeth: As we've seen Macbeth is filled with blood imagery, particularly to convey guilt (and in the DVD that blood is literal). How is this imagery translated visually in Throne of Blood?

5. Clothing and Armor: In both Macbeth and Throne of Blood, how is clothing and armor (as well as banners, swords, etc. connected to armor) used to indicate social rank or status, mental state, judgements about moral character, etc? You may have to do some research on samurai armor!

6. Light and Dark: Imagery of light and darkess, visibility and concealment in Macbeth related to the theme of deception and guilt; the use of light and darkness or shadow and concealment in Throne of Blood for dramatic and thematic effect.