Thursday, April 28, 2011

HECATE: THE OWL CONCEPT

OWL CONCEPT: Throughout MACBETH, Shakespeare repeatedly makes references to birds and specifically the raven and owl, which was the ingenious character concept idea behind this costume which was commissioned by and for Director Sue Raley’s 2011 La Costa Canyon production of MACBETH.

HECATE'S MONOLOGUE AS SHE ADDRESSES HER WITCHES

Have I not reason, beldams as you are,
Saucy and overbold? How did you dare
To trade and traffic with Macbeth
In riddles and affairs of death;
And I, the mistress of your charms,
The close contriver of all harms,
Was never called to bear my part
Or show the glory of our art?

And, which is worse, all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son,
Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.

But make amends now: get you gone
And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i'th'morning. Thither he
Will come to know his destiny.
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms and everything beside.

I am for th' air. This night I'll spend
Unto a dismal and a fatal end.
Great business must be wrought ere noon.
Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vap'rous drop profound;
I'll cath it ere it come to ground:
And that, distilled by magic sleights,
Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion.
He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear
His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear:
And you all know security
Is mortals' chiefest enemy.

Hark! I am called. My little spirit, see,
Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me.