Macbeth And Lady Macbeth In Act 1
5th October 2001
Macbeth And Lady Macbeth In Act 1
In the first act of Macbeth, we learn many different things about both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. These include how they appear to other characters on stage, and also how they are with each other and when they are by themselves. Their true feelings are also revealed in their speech, but are hidden. It shows how they feel about other characters, each other, and the happenings of the act. We learn in different ways, by their hidden messages, by their soliloquies, by their asides, and also by what other characters sat about them at different times to different people.
Within the first two scenes of the play, we don't see either Macbeth or Lady Macbeth. The audience don't actually meet Lady Macbeth until Act1 Scene five in which she receives Macbeth's letter. Before we meet either of the two main characters, we hear about them in one main way. Many of the other characters that know them tell as about them in conversion to other actors, which means we begin to make an image of them before we actually see them ourselves. These reports tell us about the "innocent flower" outlook of the characters, and us hearing of them via reports initially has great advantages. For Macbeth, it makes him seem mysterious and as we hear of his fight against MacDonwald in scene two, we can envision him as having a heroic status like the great warriors from ancient myths such as Hercules. This also gives "Noble Macbeth" the chance to make a grand entrance into a play full of warriors of both mind and body. We learn some important background information such as the fact that Macbeth is well known throughout large parts of Scotland, and that any action of his would spread with great speed.
The witches create a grand opening for the play, and within this first, short scene we learn that Macbeth is a very important figure in the Scottish higher class, and that there is a great chance that as the play develops he will continue his connection with both supernatural powers and supernatural beings or creatures such as the three weird sister. There is some important language we hear first in this scene, and it runs throughout the play. "fair is foul, and foul is fair." This becomes very important later on.
This early knowledge is then expanded in scene two, as a bloody captain who was in the presence of Macbeth as "he unseamed" his "rebel" opponent; MacDonwald. Macbeth has great soldier qualities that we hear of, especially bravery and his mercilessness. There are many quotes including "valior's minion" which express how his friends and companions think of him. They compliment him on numerous occasions, as everyone in the presence of King Duncan loves "valiant" and "noble Macbeth." They relate him as higher than the King at times, as they speak about him in a godlike way; "Bellona's bridegroom." ...
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This early knowledge is then expanded in scene two, as a bloody captain who was in the presence of Macbeth as "he unseamed" his "rebel" opponent; MacDonwald. Macbeth has great soldier qualities that we hear of, especially bravery and his mercilessness. There are many quotes including "valior's minion" which express how his friends and companions think of him. They compliment him on numerous occasions, as everyone in the presence of King Duncan loves "valiant" and "noble Macbeth." They relate him as higher than the King at times, as they speak about him in a godlike way; "Bellona's bridegroom." Through the reports told by various acquaintances of the King, we here of his relationships with different members of the higher class of Scotland. Macbeth is most obviously his close friend, and Macbeth treats them as equals. But this isn't the same for anyone else, as Macbeth is admired by the Thanes (Scottish officers) and they give him superlative praise. But Macbeth respects the King, as he is royalty; although King Duncan respects him due to his marvellous actions. During this scene there are some worrying characteristics that reappear later on, mostly in scenes five and seven. These are that he enjoys killing, and has an ominous connection with the witches that has been established in scene one.
Scene three is the most important so far, as this is where we first see Macbeth and Banquo having heard all the reports about them. Within moments of their arrival, their connection with the supernatural is quickly reinforced. All three appear to have conducted evil actions since last time. But when "Macbeth doth come" they quickly stop all other conversations, and concentrate on their guests "upon the heath." Macbeth's first words are very important. It is the first link that we have had the "foul is fair, and fair is foul." He says: "So foul and fair a day." Having said this, Macbeth does not say much as Banquo expresses his conspicuous thoughts out loud whilst Macbeth keeps them to himself. This is a major difference between the two great friends. The most important part here though, is the prophecies. Macbeth's claim he shall be "Thane of Glamis" (of which he already is), "Thane of Cawdor" (who he believes is alive), and "King hereafter" (a surprise which shall take effect soon). Banquo's just make the situation more confusing, as they are cryptic. To both of their great surprise, as the weird sister vanish and Macbeth and Banquo ponder on whether they "have eaten on the insane root," the Thanes of Ross and Angus appear to proclaim Macbeth as the Thane of Cawdor. "Can the devil speak true?" In Macbeth's main aside, we start to see his true feelings, as he is very nervous, confused, and worried for his safety. He realises another important ploy of the whole play, that "nothing is, but what is not."
This scene is of less importance; as although we find more about Macbeth's true feelings, he shows little more than he has before. But it is also obvious that he has been thinking deeply about what was prophesised to him by the witches, and has been considering about taking action in order to become King hereafter. He tells the audience of the problems he must overcome. Macbeth's newest problem is Malcolm, the Prince of Cumberland; "a step on which he must fall down, or else o'erleap." More important language is used again, in that Malcolm's line of: "Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it. He died as one that had been studied" is another link to the "foul is fair" language. Also, there is dramatic irony in the scene. This is because Macbeth originally shows "the loyalty he owe" in attempt to show kindness, where as he later confesses to the audience his "black and deep desires." This is showing "the innocent flower, but the serpent under't" which occurs in scene five.
This is the scene in which we first encounter Lady Macbeth herself. We have had very few references to her so far, and so it is an important encounter as the audience. She enters with a letter from Macbeth, which shows his great dilemma that he is facing. As Lady Macbeth thinks out loud, we quickly see how she is beneath the surface. She quickly relates herself to supernatural powers, and proves that she could cause trouble as she is persuasive, by saying that "I shall pour mine spirits in thine ear." We learn that she is clever, strong both mentally and physically, devious, impatient, plus is both deceptive and evil. She uses very important language as she talks to the devil, in asking "make thick my blood" and "unsex me here." But her most important line was: "look like th'innocent flower, but be the serpent under't." This has already occurred a few times, and reoccurs many times later on. We leave her conversation with Macbeth with a few possible outcomes, the most important of which is whether Macbeth will take action against King Duncan in order to gain the crown, as it will be the "fatal entrance of Duncan" later that evening after his travels to his hosts.
This is that "fatal entrance of Duncan," and it suggests that he may never leave alive. Once more there is dramatic irony, in the fact of appearance vs. reality. She appears the perfect hostess as she uses elaborate and courtly language to lure her guests into a false sense of security. It seems that she is at pains to make the stay as perfect as can be, whereas she is really welcoming it with open arms as it is an opportunity that should be taken.
Act one scene seven is a very decisive scene. It is here that Lady Macbeth uses here crafty tactics and skills into persuading Macbeth to commit "th'assassination." Macbeth wishes he could "not bear the knife himself" but still become king. Lady Macbeth enters into the presence of a very panic-stricken, and nervous Macbeth who is not sure of what his actions should be. It is here that Lady Macbeth very cleverly manages to convince her husband to take the chance, as she says that he will "be so much more the man" after having done this deed. "What can you and I not perform upon the sleeping Duncan?" This question challenges Macbeth into an argument in which he will result in committing "th'assassination." It is here that we see the great differences between the two characters. Lady Macbeth doesn't think her plans through thoroughly, whereas Macbeth thinks about every possible outcome before he makes a final decision. Macbeth takes things at a slower pace, whilst Lady Macbeth is making all the arrangements rapidly. Within this scene, there are not many ways in which they are similar, apart from the fact they both admit as "th'innocent flower, but the serpent under't."
With the act ending here, there are a great number of possible outcomes and many different things that could happen. We know for certain that this murder shall now take place that evening, but we do not know how the supernatural is likely to have an effect in it, and anything else that could happen to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. We do know whether Banquo's prophecies will take effect, and whether Malcolm is a step which Macbeth "shall o'erleap."
GRAHAM WHITE 10TB
