Explore the way Shakespeare portrays evil in Macbeth
Right from the first scene, it is obvious that Macbeth is a story of evil. The play starts on a moor, with thunder and lightning being the very first signal that something less than ordinary is going on. Before the play has even begun, the atmosphere is set for an intimidating and somewhat frightening scene. Stormy weather is nearly always seen as frightening, dark and evil, because it is often related to so much danger and destruction, and Shakespeare uses this well to give and accurate and striking first impression of the play. The first people on stage are three weird sisters, making definite this idea of darkness and supernatural. They meet in a dark cave, which is often representative of the underworld, and they are described as “secret, black and midnight hags”. This is extremely good use of language, as four of the five words are all powerful and give a good idea of what is to come. They speak, not particularly powerful words, but in rhyme, which gives a rhythmic effect of ritual, and the sisters words seem to flow on from each other, as if they are not really three, but one. They say a short speech, claiming that they are going to meet again “upon the heath” with Macbeth. How they know that Macbeth will be on the heath, let alone his name, is a scary thought, as it reinforces the idea that they are not human, and have supernatural powers of some sort. The most obvious explanation, although not necessarily the most realistic, is that they are witches. At this point the text does not use the word “witches” but by now it is quite clear that they are not human. The next time we see the witches, they are, as they predicted, on the moor with Macbeth. He and his friend Banquo are two very important soldiers, fighting for Duncan, the King of Scotland. They have just won a battle and are making their way home across the moor when they see three women. They prophesise that Macbeth will be Thane of Glamis, then Thane of Cawdor, and finally King of Scotland. Macbeth knows he is already Thane of Glamis, but neither of the other two promised. However as the witches disappear into thin air, Ross and Angus enter, bringing news of the Thane of Cawdor’s impending death. The King has announced Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor, as the previous Thane committed treasons which are punishable by death, so that two of the three prophesies have come true, which immediately unsettles the atmosphere of the play. The fact which has now been proved, that the sisters are in fact witches, greatly unnerves the audience, but it also sets the way for the rest of the book, on Macbeth’s journey to becoming King. Shakespeare uses language here very well to create an atmosphere if amazement and disbelief. Banquo speaks first, saying, “What! Can the devil speak true?” The word “devil” clearly indicates that Banquo believes there to be something sinister and perhaps supernatural going on. At first Macbeth does not believe it either, but then he comes to realise that if these two prophesies have come true then why not the third? As he says himself, “Glamis, and Than of Cawdor: the greatest is behind,” meaning the best of all three is yet to come. Later, aside, Macbeth speaks of his confusion as to whether the witches are good or bad. He concludes that they are good to tell him of great news, but he still has “present fears that are less than horrible imaginings.” At this point Macbeth believes that “if chance will have me king, why chance may crown me, without my stir.” This, a counteraction to the title, shows Macbeth’s good side, his innocence and his hopes that he will not have to interfere in order to fulfill the third prophesy. This provides a useful contradiction for Shakespeare, which he uses well to show the difference in Macbeth and his wife’s characters throughout the play. For instance, Shakespeare uses light words and phrases to describe Macbeth’s feelings, and much darker, heavier words when Lady Macbeth’s evil plan emerges. This shows an effective comparison between good and evil, as Shakespeare uses imagery to distinguish between the two – white is often seen as a “good” colour, pure and innocent, whereas black is seen as threatening and evil.
