Jack's English Journal

Synthesis (Report) – 14/5/14

His Royal Highness,

 

PLAY REPORT:

 

 

Play: Macbeth.

Playwright: William Shakespeare.

Conclusion: Unsuitable but Salvageable.

Reason: Witches and Demonology

 

Comments:

I believe that ‘Macbeth’ is unsuitable for public viewing because includes demonology. Three witches are cast within the play and this is unacceptable. The characters in the play also practice demonic behavior when casting spells and fortune telling. If this is enough evidence to stop this from being viewed by the public then consider not the rest of this report. If you would deem the play acceptable if changes made then continue reading.

My worry is that we don’t want any of the public to view demonic behavior and idolize it and/or attempt to practice it themselves after viewing the play. Furthermore, we don’t want any of the public to empathize or sympathize with the witches in the play.

Moreover, the witches aren’t depicted as certain antagonists in the play. Whether they are considered antagonists or protagonists is ambiguous and different viewers would consider the witches differently. However, this play could possibly be allowed for viewing by the public if Shakespeare was contacted and asked to present the witches in a more negative light. If the witches were presented in a more negative light and as certain antagonists, the audience would dislike them in the play and therefore, wouldn’t empathize nor sympathize with them. As long as the public don’t see or develop any parallels with the witches and don’t use the play to influence their thoughts on witches then the play could be released for public viewings.

 

If His Royal Highness deems this play salvageable then it is suggested that William Shakespeare is contacted and changes are made to the play. However, if His Royal Highness deems this play simply unacceptable then return a letter to myself and I will see that the play is not released to the public.

 

 

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One response to “Synthesis (Report) – 14/5/14”

  1. Miss Drewett Avatar
    Miss Drewett

    Thanks Jack, I really enjoyed reading this, it is creative in its form an vocabulary, which evokes possible realistic points of view at the time.
    Points to look at to further your consideration that I would be interested to know your opinions on:
    1. What were James I’s opinions on witches and the supernatural? Do you think he would have heeded a report like this?
    2. Are the witches ambiguous? Does the fact that they are essentially the cause of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s actions not suggest an audience would view them negatively? (Note: always try to be specific in your points in order to make your point identifiable straightaway i.e. if you say different people’s views would be different – who would those people be and what would those views be?)

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