In the famous play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, the character of the witch is depicted as mysterious and powerful. However, the question arises: is the witch truly amiable? There are different perspectives on this matter. Firstly, it can be argued that the witch is not amiable. Throughout the play, the witch engages in dark and malicious activities, such as casting spells, making prophecies, and manipulating Macbeth. Their intentions seem malevolent as they play a significant role in encouraging Macbeth's descent into tyranny and madness. Their predictions lead him to commit heinous acts, ultimately resulting in his downfall and the destruction of many lives.
Their predictions lead him to commit heinous acts, ultimately resulting in his downfall and the destruction of many lives. The witch's actions and their impact on the tragic events of the play highlight their lack of amiable traits, suggesting a more nefarious nature. On the other hand, one could also argue that there is an amiable side to the character of the witch.
THEATER REVIEW : ‘Bell, Book and Candle’ Still Able to Cast an Amiable Spell : The tone is frothy, the dialogue witty in a comedic tale of modern-day witches.
The possibility of witches living in contemporary New York City formed the premise of John Van Druten’s 1950 comedy “Bell, Book and Candle.” While stylistically very much a product of its time, the play holds up quite nicely in a breezy production by the Oxnard-based Etc. theater company.
Kathleen Hobson stars as Gillian Holroyd, the kind of with-it witch who’d later be immortalized by Elizabeth Montgomery in the TV series “Bewitched.” She lives the single gal’s life in a nice, leased apartment, with her daffy Aunt Queenie (Nita Fouhse) in residence upstairs.
Witches aren’t able to fall in love--in Van Druten’s concept, at least--but the presence of suave publishing executive Shep Henderson (Alan Price) as the building’s new tenant stirs something in Gillian. There’s only one problem: Shep and his longtime girlfriend plan to announce their engagement at a party that night.
AdvertisementNot above casting a spell or two, Gillian does some witchy things, all the while trying to keep Shep from finding out what’s going on. Along for the ride are Gillian’s prankish warlock brother, Nicky (Andrew Dunn), and a self-declared expert on witchcraft (Elmer Ferber) who doesn’t realize that he’s literally standing in the middle of a coven.
The play’s tone is frothy, Van Druten’s dialogue witty, and the cast’s attempts at recreating the sort of atmosphere favored by the likes of William Powell and Myrna Loy are moderately convincing under Linda Hyde’s direction.
Whoever decided to update the script with a cordless telephone and compact discs misjudged, though: The script still includes such telltale signs of its age as references to the Kinsey Report, the House Un-American Activities Committee and double-feature first-run movies. And we’re asked to believe that a single woman in 1994 would maintain a full pitcher of martinis in her kitchen, just in case any visitors should drop by. While noticeable, the anachronisms aren’t particularly distracting; just unnecessary.
The performances at Friday’s opening were fine, particularly considering that three of the players came in during the rehearsal period when originally announced actors dropped out for one reason or another. In addition to those already mentioned, the cast includes brief appearances by Camille Rodriguez and, as Gillian’s familiar, Tabian Cruz.
Continuing well into November, the play--while not at all scary--is appropriate to the Halloween season, and is certainly suitable for audiences from the teens up.
* WHAT: “Bell, Book and Candle.”
* WHEN: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through Nov. 19. Matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 only.
Advertisement* WHERE: Petit Ranch House, 730 S. B St. (Heritage Square), Oxnard.
* COST: General admission $9; seniors, $7.
The play’s tone is frothy, Van Druten’s dialogue witty, and the cast’s attempts at recreating the sort of atmosphere favored by the likes of William Powell and Myrna Loy are moderately convincing under Linda Hyde’s direction.
Despite their dark deeds, they appear to have a genuine interest in the natural order of things. In Act 1, Scene 1, the witch states, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," highlighting their understanding of the cyclical nature of life and the balance between good and evil. Additionally, their prophecies, although seemingly destructive, are not entirely false. They accurately predict events that come to pass, suggesting a certain level of wisdom and foresight. Therefore, despite their malevolent actions, the witch may possess qualities that could be considered amiable in their own enigmatic way. In conclusion, the question of whether the witch is amiable in the play "Macbeth" is subjective. While their actions and influence over Macbeth's downfall may suggest a lack of amiable traits, their understanding of the natural order and ability to accurately predict events elicit a sense of mysterious wisdom. Ultimately, their complex character adds depth to the play and leaves room for interpretation..
Reviews for "Beyond the Stereotypes: The True Amiability of Witches"
1. John - 2/5
I found "Is the witch amiable" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters were poorly developed. The plot felt rushed and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the narrative. Additionally, the writing style was unengaging and failed to captivate my interest. Overall, I wouldn't recommended this book to others.
2. Sarah - 3/5
While I didn't dislike "Is the witch amiable" entirely, I can't say it was a book that I particularly enjoyed. The concept seemed intriguing at first, but the execution fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others were rushed. I also felt that the characters lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Although there were a few interesting moments, overall, the book failed to leave a lasting impression.
3. Michael - 2/5
"Is the witch amiable" left me feeling underwhelmed. The writing was bland and lacked creativity, making it difficult for me to stay engaged with the story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any significant development. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, which further hindered my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend it to others.