What conclusions can we make about Macbeth from the descriptions we have of him in Act 1 scene 3? Find examples from the text. What is the effect of having these descriptions of him before we actually meet him?
The conclusion we make of Macbeth from the first three scenes of Act 1 is that he is an ambitious man who wishes to ascend the levels of the Scottish royalty and one day become king. When Macbeth hears the Prophecies that the witches make he is immediately “sucked” into what the witches are saying. “Stay you Imperfect speakers, tell me more”. Having such these descriptions in the beginning implies to the readers that Macbeth is a two minded person who very often changes his views about certain affairs and that he is man easily manipulated by power.
Describe the different reactions of Macbeth and of Banquo towards the witches’ prophecies. What conclusions can we make of about these two characters?
When Macbeth and Banquo hear about the prophecies of the witches both minds are set off in different ways. For Macbeth, he is interested in what the witches are saying about him becoming King of Scotland. However for Banquo when he is told that he will father a line of Kings, he merely just ignores what they say. The conclusions we can make of the two characters is that both men have different sets of values and beliefs.
How do we begin to see Macbeth’s character change in Act 1
Our initial impression of Macbeth, based on the captain’s report of his commendable duties in battle, is immediately complicated by Macbeth’s obvious fixation upon the witches’ prophecy. Macbeth is a noble and courageous warrior but his reaction to the witches’ prophecies emphasizes his great desire for power and prestige. Macbeth immediately realizes that the prophecy may require conspiracy and murder on his part.
What impression do we get of lady Macbeth? What images stand out in her speeches
Lady Macbeth is probably the most memorable character in the play. Her violent, blistering soliloquies in Act I, scenes v and vii, testify to her strength of will, which completely eclipses that of her husband. She is well aware that she will have to manipulate her husband into acting on the witches’ prophecy. Her soliloquy in Act I, scene v, begins the play’s value and nature of masculinity. In the soliloquy, she downs her feminine characteristics, crying out “unsex me here” and wishing that the milk in her breasts would be exchanged for “gall” so that she could murder Duncan herself.
What does Macbeth’s soliloquy show about his character?
In Macbeth he knows that murdering Duncan is wrong, and he recognizes that there will surely be consequences. As we have seen, his soliloquy reveals his awareness that he may be causing a cycle of violence that will eventually destroy him. Macbeth is not a good man at this point in the play, but he is not yet an evil one. He is tempted by his want for power, and he tries to resist temptation. Macbeth’s resistance, however, is not enough to stand up to his wife’s ability to manipulate him.
What effect does lady Macbeth have on Macbeth’s Decision in the end of Act 1? How does she convince him to go through with the murder?
She persuades Macbeth to murdering Duncan by disregarding his rational, moral arguments and challenging his manhood. “When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be much more than what you were, you would be so much more than a man.” Basically, she dares him to commit the murder otherwise you would not be worthy a man. And that if Macbeth would go through with the murder he would be come “so much more than a man” meaning that he would become King which, in accordance to the Great chain of being, is the highest a man’s social status reach.
