The Changes in Macbeth.

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                        The Changes in Macbeth

        In the very first scene, Shakespeare makes us wonder about Macbeth when the witches announce that they will meet with Macbeth “upon the heath”: “There to meet with Macbeth.”

During Act 1 Sc2, we get the impression that Macbeth is a courageous, noble war hero. This is brought to our attention when the Captain gives the king his account of the happenings: “For brave Macbeth.” After this speech, Duncan then replies with: “Worthy gentleman, O, valiant cousin”. This shows that from the small report that the Captain gave, he was already very proud of Macbeth and was a keen admirer in Macbeth’s abilities on the battlefield. Then when the captain gives his accounts on when the Norwegians attacked, he said: “Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. After Duncan hears the news that the current thane of Cawdor has conceded defeat, the king decides to strip him of his title, and give the honour to Macbeth as a reward for the great effort he put into the battle. This shows that the King thinks extremely highly of Macbeth.

Then, in Act 1 Sc3, Macbeth and Banquo come across the weird sisters. This changes our thought of him as a noble hero. It is here that the first seeds of a bloodthirsty tyrant are sown. The weird sisters tell Macbeth that he will be thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland:

“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!

All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!

All hail Macbeth! Thou shalt be king hereafter.”

At first, both Macbeth and Banquo think that the weird sisters are just talking a load of rubbish, and that they should not be trusted. But as soon as they start talking about how Macbeth will become the thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland, his ego makes him want to hear more:  “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more”. Banquo’s reaction doesn’t change, he believes what they are saying is false and untrue: “Or have we eaten on the insane root” This shows that Banquo thought so lowly of them that we was questioning if he and Macbeth had been taking drugs as he tried to come up with an explanation for the reason that these strange creatures appeared like they did and the ‘garbage’ that they spoke.

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At the end of that scene, Macbeth first thinks of murdering the king: “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical.” Then, he learns from Duncan’s palace that the Duke of Cumberland (this signifies the next in line to the throne, like the Prince of Wales in England) is Malcolm, the king’s eldest son. When Macbeth hears of this, he realises that this means that it will be very hard for him to become king:

“The Prince of Cumberland! This is a step

On which I must fall down, or else o’er-leap,

For in my way it lies.”

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