Macbeth’s aside (Lls127 – 142) is expressed with conviction. His bewilderment is clear.
Act 1 Scene 5
Set scene – First encounter with Lady Macbeth - she sits centrestage, on a bed as she reads the contents of Macbeth’s letter.
Scene presents the interior of the castle – namely the Macbeth’s bedroom – focus on the bed - only prop on stage –
Lady Macbeth – tall, attractive young woman, dressed in long gown – deep red in colour. She is engrossed in the contents of Macbeth’s letter. Her internal thoughts as she reads the letter are represented by a voiceover from Macbeth; towards the end of the letter Lady Macbeth takes over the reading.
Lady Macbeth flings the letter on the bed and moves stagefront to begin her soliloquy.
Her ideas of murder become more focused when a breathless servant arrives to tell her of King Duncan’s imminent arrival. Lady Macbeth moves stagefront to deliver her soliloquy “The raven himself is hoarse …” She kneels, as if in prayer, as she appeals to the powers of darkness to permeate her with “direst cruelty”.
No sound effects here? Lady Macbeth swathed in a red light throughout her soliloquy.
The dialogue between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is includes every line of the original text.
Macbeth enters the bedchamber, where Lady Macbeth enthusiastically greets him. They embrace. Actors show a couple very much in love. As Lady Macbeth speaks, she removes her husband’s sword from its sheath, takes off his armour and they fall on to the bed in an embrace. Lady Macbeth is presented as the dominant partner here. She coordinates all Macbeth’s physical movements here – a reflection of how she influences his mind also.
The actress playing Lady Macbeth is several inches taller than Macbeth. Her height is used to advantage in this scene, as she physically dominates the couple; she initiates the embraces, kisses – holds his face in her hands. She is a commanding presence in this relationship. Macbeth seems physically, and emotionally, overwhelmed.
As King Duncan arrives in Act 1, Scene 6, we see Lady Macbeth acting as the perfect hostess. Forms marked contrast with previous scene.
Act 1, Scene 7
Scene 7 opens with Macbeth sitting at the bottom of the bed, wrestling with his conscience. He clasps a goblet of wine, and appears physically exhausted. His clothes are disheveled . His words present a man who is clearly confused and disillusioned. Jerky movements.
A rushed and urgent exchange of dialogue heightens the tension here.
Macbeth stands defiant to his wife, “We will proceed no further…..”
Lady Macbeth speaks in urgent whispers. As she criticizes her husband’s hesitation, she takes the goblet from him and proceeds to manipulate him physically and emotionally.
The actress falls to her knees as she shrewdly plies her husband to her will. Her shocking reference to childkilling is voiced in disturbingly tender tones, which belie the horror involved.
Macbeth is visibly shaken – he is persuaded. “If we should fail?” His words seem feeble. Here again, the actresses height helps to emphasize her dominance. As Lady Macbeth outlines her plan, she sits behind her husband on the bed; their physical attraction/closeness is obvious. Lady Macbeth caresses her husband, initiating all the action. She is charming and controlled, pleased with her success. At this moment Macbeth seems unable to withstand her powerful persuasion.
His closing words in this Scene are spoken confidently and are accompanied by discordant music, “I am settled…”
