Representation and Re-adaptation of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House (1879) and Shakespeare’s Macbeth (1606)

The research will center on the textual analysis on the different visual representations derived from A Doll's House (1879) written by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen and Macbeth (1606) by the British playwright William Shakespeare. The study aims at investigating the visual representations and symbolism with the notion of intertextuality of classical plays and filmic adaptations, on the phenomenon of fluidity of interpretation of the same literal texts with the conformity to intertextuality:

-The evolution of different representations of Macbeth and A Doll’s House and the intertextuality and variants of these texts.

-The factors impacting the design of the mise-en-scene in dramatic and filmic productions, e.g. socio-cultural factors, historic periods, backgrounds of authors and readers etc.

-The linguistic and literal meanings of language in the texts in relation to the use of symbolism.

-Interculturalism from world literature in relation to Shakespearean culture, European culture, American Dream, Romanticism, Idealism, Surrealism, Orientalism, Modernism and Postmodernism.

Research on gender studies in relation to A Doll’s House and Macbeth mainly focuses on the representations of the male and female protagonists in these two plays. The scope of research addresses to the presentation, representation, interpretation and adaptation of A Doll’s House and Macbeth with response to intertextuality among the original and different representations, which are subjected to different genres, form and content, cultural and historical factors, with reference to the appropriation of linguistic, literary devices and symbolisms. The research will also juxtapose the interpretation of the same texts in western theatres and films, and how these texts could further contribute to the canon of word literature, impacting post-modern theatrical and cinematic performance currently and in future in the globe.

Apart from the use of literary and symbolism, the psychology of the characters in the texts in terms of characterization will also be examined, which reflects the underneath ideologies embodied in different cultures and norms. Linguistics, language and semantics in soliloquies and dialogues in some remarkable scenes of these aforementioned texts will be deconstructed to study the dichotomy and dynamics among characters, in relation to social hierarchy and power relationship.