Free Will In Macbeth And Throne Of Blood

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Pages: 7

In the movie adapations of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Maqbool directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and Throne of Blood directed by Akira Kurosawa, the conflict between free will and fate is spotlighted. The filmmakers’ decisions in making the films favor either the main character as being in control of his action or being controlled. Setting, atmosphere, music, camera effects, and evoking a sense of a supernatural element in the film are used to focus on fate or free will. These decisions lead to either a greater sense of a supernatural element in Throne of Blood thereby focusing more on fate and less of a supernatural element in Maqbool consequently focusing more on free will.
For Throne of Blood, Kurosawa chooses a setting and time period relevant
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The use of a supernatural force such as the forest spirit adds to the idea of fate; the spirit is something that is not of this world and gives off a mystic feeling. The first part of Washizu’s prophecy is fully fulfilled without tampering, yet becoming Lord of Spider Web Castle is set into motion by Washizu and his wife. Seeing the first part of his prophecy pan out makes Washizu believe that fate is real, so his actions after are warranted. Washizu’s wife encourages him to kill the current lord, thus allowing for the second part of his fate to become true. The film itself gives off the feeling that fate is real and that everything that is meant to happen will happen, what Washizu chooses to do will have no effect on what is meant to be. Washizu’s wife’s constant degrading provoking comments lead Washizu to commit to getting what is his, Washizu knows that he will become a lord. Whether Washizu kills the lord or an enemy doesn’t matter because it is his fate. Seeing the first part of his fate come true reinforces the idea that the second part will and must come true regardless of actions