What is clear early in the captain’s speech is the Macbeth that we learnt of in Scene 1 is opposing to the one we now hear of. Here Macbeth is described as brave and courageous.
“ For brave Macbeth well he deserves that name.” However he continues to disclose how Macbeth “executed” the enemy.
“With his brandish’d steel,
which smok’d with bloody
execution,”
Here we learn that not only is Macbeth brave, the fact that he executes the enemy in such a way that he rips them open from navel to jaws shows a ruthless side to his character. It is important that the audience know that Macbeth can be cruel as well as brave as this prepares them for the brutal murders he commits later in the play. Shakespeare’s command of language creates imagery suspense and suspicion in scene 2.
Act 1 scene 3
Scene 3 is dramatically important to the telling of the story it reinforces the connection between Macbeth and the Witches but also shows their limited powers. The scene opens with their return. We also meet Macbeth for the first time his words
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”
Echo that of the Witches in scene 1.
The Witches then speak strange prophecies to Macbeth and Banquo.
“All hail Macbeth, hail thee, Thane of Glamis.
All hail Macbeth, hail thee, Thane of Cawdor
All hail Macbeth, hail thee, that shalt be King
Here after”
Macbeth is already Thane of Glamis. Later we learn that Macbeth has been bestowed with the title of thane of Cawdor. Only the final prophecy, needs to be fulfilled!
This knowledge causes fear and discomfort in Macbeth as he realises that the only way in which he could become King of Scotland is to kill King Duncan. The fact that he is fearful is yet another contrast to the brave and fearless warrior portrayed in scene 2.
Following the Witches prophecies Banquo asks Macbeth why he appears less than ecstatic.
“Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?”
Banquo is told in the prophecy that his sons will be Kings. However his reaction to this news is entirely different to Macbeths. He isn’t concerned and doesn’t believe what he as heard. Banquo says “Were such things here as we speak about? Or have we eaten on the insane root”
Macbeth and Banquo’s reaction to the prophecies are significant as it shows that Macbeth is easily influenced whilst Banquo views the prophecies as a joke.
Shakespeare then shows the audience how the Witches have managed to convince Macbeth. Macbeths belief in the prophecy is important to the development of the play and this belief latter leads to his downfall, when the witches tell him in Act 4 scene 1 that no man born of a woman shall harm Macbeth he become overly confident and reckless failing to see that Macduff could be a threat to him. Macbeth then tries to convince Banquo.
“Do you not hope your children shall be kings, when those that gave Thane of Cawdor to me promised no less to them? He enquires of Banquo.
Banquo however warns Macbeth “Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths”.
Macbeth still tries to convince Banquo saying,” The instruments of darkness tell us truths”, leaving the audience in no doubt that Macbeth wants to believe the Witches.
Act1 Scene 4
In Scene 4 Shakespeare uses recurring themes to leave the audience in no doubt about the relationship between Duncan and Macbeth. Showing Duncan’s respect and love for Macbeth is important as the audience are able to see how Duncan’s trust of Macbeth might make him vulnerable.
Duncan thanks Macbeth for what he did in the battle saying he could never repay him (a dramatic irony when we know what is to come). Macbeth replies
“The service and loyalty I owe, in doing it, pays itself!”
Macbeths reply here, that he was only doing his duty, further reinforces the king’s trust. However we later learn in a soliloquy speech of Macbeths true intentions;
The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step on
Which I must fall down, or else o’erleap.
For in my way it lies.
Macbeth is speaking of Duncan’s son and heir Malcolm, whom he will also have to murder in order to become King. Macbeth continues:
Stars hide your fires, let not light
See my black and deep desires.
This allows the audience the insight into Macbeth’s dark and deadly purpose or intention to kill King Duncan, the theme being of appearances verses reality. Rhyming dialogue is used to show his high status in the play, it gains the attention of the audience and also helps one to remember what is said. Macbeths thoughts are clearly on regicide and he is hoping his desires will go unnoticed by the king.
Act1 scene 5
Scene 5 opens with Lady Macbeth reading a letter from her husband. In this scene Shakespeare’s aim is to reveal Lady Macbeths character and the close and intimate relationship she as with her husband. He cleverly uses the letter to achieve this, through the content of the letter and her reaction to it.
Lady Macbeth speaks in metaphors
“The raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrances of Duncan”
She is comparing the breathless messenger who tells her that Duncan is coming, to a bird of ill omen. This enables the audience to visualise her evil thoughts the theme being of the supernatural and therefore connecting her to the Witches. She continues:
Unsex me here
And fill me from crown
To the toe top full
Of direst cruelty.
Clearly she is determined to help her husband to gain the crown. This knowledge prepares the audience for her involvement in King Duncan’s murder. By the words unsex me, we understand her dominance over her husband. She feels he is “too full o’the milk of human kindness” so she vows to help him.
When Macbeth arrives home she greats him with his new title and it is clear by her conversation that she believes the prophecies. She learns that the king is only to stay with them for one night. She takes control. Although Macbeth as not made up his mind to kill the King, Lady Macbeth clearly has. She starts to make up a plan. Lady Macbeth tells her husband how to behave
“look like th’ innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t”.
she tells him. She is clearly dominant over her husband as she is telling him how to act and appear in front of the king.
Shakespeare’s technique in the use of metaphors creates brilliant visual images in the minds of the audience in scene 5. The scene ends when Lady Macbeth tells her husband “Leave the rest to me” thus showing her ambition and leaving the audience in no doubt of her intention, creating anticipation in the audience, whilst keeping them enthralled.
Act 1 scene 6
The atmosphere Shakespeare creates in scene 6, is one of tension, it is disturbing. The theme is of treachery and deception and the Kings naivety. Lady Macbeth greats the king enthusiastically, the dramatic irony here, being the fact that the audience are already aware of the plot to kill the King, Shakespeare’s use of duplication in Lady Macbeths address to the King leave the audience shocked by her hypocritical behaviour,
“All our services, in every point, twice done and then done double”. She says to Duncan.
The king on arrival at the castle obviously feels safe. He tells Lady Macbeth “This castle hath a pleasant seat”. On the surface Shakespeare cleverly creates the appearance that all is well. But from the previous scene the audience are well aware of the reality.
Act 1 scene 7
Scene 7 opens with Macbeth’s soliloquy. Macbeth, is shown to be wrestling with his conscience. “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly.” He wishes it was all over. But he also puts many arguments forward as to why he should not commit regicide. The king trusts him;
“He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host.”
Duncan is such a good King a nice person and good leader “So clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels,” everyone will be sad; “That tears shall drown the wind.”
And that he Macbeth, will be judged by god.
The use of the soliloquy enables the audience to see Macbeth battle with his emotions, it shows his humanity and heightens the tragedy of his decision to kill Duncan. However at this point he decides not to proceed with regicide. He tells Lady Macbeth
“We will proceed no further in this business”. She asks him what happened to his hope “Was the hope drunk where in you dress’d yourself” she repeats this technique of bullying and belittling her husband saying “When you durst do it, then you were a man. When this fails she tells him that she will not love him if he doesn’t do this. She uses blackmail and also tells him that had she sworn to she would kill a baby suckling at her breast.
We then see Macbeth’s submission, when she tells him of her plan to get the King attendants drunk and make it look like they did it. He starts to believe that they will get away with the crime.
Shakespeare manages to create tension throughout this scene; the action rising up to the end to keep the audience enthralled. The relevance of Macbeth’s battle with his conscience becomes clear later in the play. The fact that he has a conscience and is capable of feeling guilt is the start of his downfall.
