While watching the film Vertigo I realized that there was one element that gave a stronger presence than the others in this film. Foreshadowing, I found played not only an important role in the plot development of this film, but also can go unnoticed to the naked eye.
The first instance of foreshadowing in the film would have to the title itself. Vertigo, by definition is "dizziness: a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall "(Princeton.edu). Ultimately this foreshadows the opening scene where Scottie is chasing a criminal on a rooftop and nearly falls to his death. After words he is overcome by vertigo as sort of an after shock to the frightening experience of facing death head on.
Also, when he tries to prove to Midge, a close friend who secretly loves Scottie, that he has overcome the vertigo he has been diagnosed with by standing on a stool and then a step ladder. This foreshadows his future endeavors of having to overcome his fears of heights. Like when he has to chase both Judy and Madeline up the bell tower of the old church.
When Scottie watches who he thinks is Madeline fall to her death it foreshadow when Judy eventually falls to her death at the end of the movie. As well when Gavin insists that Scottie be the one who should follow his wife Madeline (really Judy) it foreshadows the trickiness and difficult of the situation because of Gavin's desperation to have Scottie and Scottie only.
Where Madeline appears to be getting sicker is a clear foreshadowing of Scotties health as well. The more bouts she has with the ghost of Carlotta the more in love Scottie falls with her. The more oobessive she becomes with Carlotta the more attracted he becomes with Madeline.
Foreshadowing is a heavy prevelent and effective tool the the movie Vertigo and gives the audiance a second angle of the movie, if they can see it.
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