William Shakespeare’s couples, both is his tragedies and comedies, are portrayed in various colors. But none are as famous as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Throughout many adaptations of the play, writers and directors show many themes surrounding the couple, and they remain consistent. But in Billy Morrissette’s Scotland, PA chooses to expand on the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth by changing aspects of the personalities and roles of Shakespeare’s most nefarious couple.
In the beginning of the film, the one of the first ideas Morrissette chooses to show is the initial relationship of Pat and Joe McBeth. They are seen kissing in front of the then-assistant manager intensely, which exemplifies the kind of relationship they have. This …show more content…
They are both strong-willed and aggressive. However, the most apparent difference is their mannerisms. Lady Macbeth is raised and taught as nobility, and thusly has a charming and queenly attitude about her. Pat on the other hand is crass and rude, as shown by her liberal use of swearing. For example, when Andy knocks on their car door, the first words in reaction are a string of curse words. She also has no issue openly insulting those around her, such as when she calls the fired assistant manager a “dumb fuck.” At that same time, it is shown that Lady Macbeth’s outward personality is artificial. She is dark and cruel, telling her husband she “would dash the [babe’s] brains out” (1.7.66). Pat on the other hand is incapable of masking her true self, as shown by her weak attempts to explain her husband’s bizarre behavior to the press, whereas Lady Macbeth handled it smoothly during the dinner. Pat is also less hesitant to do dirty work, unlike Lady Macbeth. The largest example is that she is with Mac as he tries to murder Norm, providing moral support and tearing the office apart in search of a safe code. Pat’s largest difference with Lady Macbeth is what they do after their husbands decide to kill Banquo. Lady Macbeth raises no protest, whereas Pat begs Mac to stay with her and talk to her. She actively fights back against her husband’s lunacy, something the original never did. Therefore, Pat also has her own agency within the marriage because she does not sit idly while Mac loses sanity. The symbolism between the two is also altered. Lady Macbeth makes no mention of blood on her hands until she is in a trance in the play, commenting on how she cannot “wash off the blood.” Pat is shown to be rubbing ointment on her hand several times throughout the film. While it is presumed that it is for her burn mark from the murder, it turns out to be an illusion, like the blood. But
In the beginning of the film, the one of the first ideas Morrissette chooses to show is the initial relationship of Pat and Joe McBeth. They are seen kissing in front of the then-assistant manager intensely, which exemplifies the kind of relationship they have. This …show more content…
They are both strong-willed and aggressive. However, the most apparent difference is their mannerisms. Lady Macbeth is raised and taught as nobility, and thusly has a charming and queenly attitude about her. Pat on the other hand is crass and rude, as shown by her liberal use of swearing. For example, when Andy knocks on their car door, the first words in reaction are a string of curse words. She also has no issue openly insulting those around her, such as when she calls the fired assistant manager a “dumb fuck.” At that same time, it is shown that Lady Macbeth’s outward personality is artificial. She is dark and cruel, telling her husband she “would dash the [babe’s] brains out” (1.7.66). Pat on the other hand is incapable of masking her true self, as shown by her weak attempts to explain her husband’s bizarre behavior to the press, whereas Lady Macbeth handled it smoothly during the dinner. Pat is also less hesitant to do dirty work, unlike Lady Macbeth. The largest example is that she is with Mac as he tries to murder Norm, providing moral support and tearing the office apart in search of a safe code. Pat’s largest difference with Lady Macbeth is what they do after their husbands decide to kill Banquo. Lady Macbeth raises no protest, whereas Pat begs Mac to stay with her and talk to her. She actively fights back against her husband’s lunacy, something the original never did. Therefore, Pat also has her own agency within the marriage because she does not sit idly while Mac loses sanity. The symbolism between the two is also altered. Lady Macbeth makes no mention of blood on her hands until she is in a trance in the play, commenting on how she cannot “wash off the blood.” Pat is shown to be rubbing ointment on her hand several times throughout the film. While it is presumed that it is for her burn mark from the murder, it turns out to be an illusion, like the blood. But