ABSTRACT
During the course of Ronald Harwood’s play and film, The Dresser, a leading character, the famous actor manager called ‘Sir’, inadvertently quotes Macbeth in his dressing room at the theatre. His dresser is horrified and implores him to take the appropriate action to exorcise the ill fortune that he fears will ensue. ‘Sir’ refuses, and after a brilliant performance of King Lear suddenly dies near the end of the play. We, the audience, are expected to assume that this is due in part to his action in quoting Macbeth and not then taking the appropriate steps to counteract the ill fortune that could follow.
