Why is this scene important?
- We switch from the shadowy world of witches to the physical world of battle.
- We discover that Macbeth and Banquo have shown alot of bravery in the fight.
- We learn that Duncan is genorous and kind.
- We find out that Macbeth is to be made Thane of Cawdor.
Scene 3
This scene begins with the witches boasting about the evil deeds, they have commited, one of them killed pigs, the other torchered a sailor by not letting him sleep and one of them had a thumb in their hand.
Macbeth and Banquo meet the “weird sisters” after a victory. The witches greet Macbeth and inform him that he will become Thane of Cawdor. “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor” and he will also become King of Scotland. Macbeth was already “Thane of Glamis.”
Whilst Macbeth is stunned by these prophecies, Banquo wants to know his futures. The witches tell him that, “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” This means that Banquo will not become King but his offspring will.
We begin to see Macbeth`s ambition. Banquo warns Macbeth about the danger of these supernatural messages, but macbeth is lost in his own thoughts of kingship, which he tries to hide.
Banquo`s description of the witches is important in seeing how unnutural they are: they seem to be women but are not. It is Banquo who thinks they are evil, “What can the devil speak true?” but Macbeth wants to hear more of this “strange intelligence”. Here wee see macbeth`s ambition to become King and Banquos wisdom with what he said about the witches.
Banquo being wise warns Macbeth of the danger about trsuting the witche`s messages. “And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths.” (For Macbeth and Banquo to commit evil, the witches tell them some truth to make them trust them.
Macbeth has frightened thought because murder is on his mind. He decides to leave it up to chance, and not to fall to the witche`s temptations. His conscience is working and is replaced by his ambition. He tries to reject this, saying that he will leave everything to chance. “If chance will have me King, why chance may crown me without my stir.”
Why is this scene important?
- We learn there is a limit to the witches` power.
- Important conrasts between Macbeth and Banquo.
- The theme ambition is introduced.
Scene 4
King Duncan asks his son, Malcolm, about the execution of the Thane of cawdor. The king is told that Cawdor died feeling sorry for his actions and with dignity.
Theme: Crime and punishment.
Treason: The crime of betraying your country, like Macdonwald.
Duncan trusts the first Thane of Cawdor blindly, which was a mistake as afterwards he betrayed him. Dramatically ironic Duncan does the same mistake with his “worthiest cousin” by putting him Thane of Cawdor.”
Macbeth and Banquo enter the palace and are warmly welcomed and thanked by King Duncan for their efforts and bravery. Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm, is to be his heir (King after Duncan) and that he will visit Macbeth in the castle at Inverness. Macbeth quietly gets out to take the news to his wife and to prepare a welcome to his King. Macbeth wants no one to “see his black and deep desires.”
Macbeth leaves to prepare for the arrival of the King, but we learn that the announcement of Malcolm as heir is not good for Macbeth. Duncan`s announcement forces Macbeth`s mind further into his thoughts and realise that Malcolm is an obstacle to his ambition.
In this scene we have a difference in the reality (evil of the situation and the appearance (good). This scene is full of irony as Duncan is always praising Macbeth.
Why is this scene important?
- The announcement of Malcolm as heir urges Macbeth to commit murder and treason.
- Macbeth`s attitude has changed and hardened.
- Shakespeare contrasts even further the difference between reality (Evil) of the situation and appearance (Good).
- Macbeth`s character is contrasted with Duncan, Banquo and even Macdownwald.
Scene 5
We are in Macbeth`s castle. We meet Lady Macbeth and she is reading a letter sent by Macbeth. The letter is about the prophecies said by the witches.
Lady Macbeth and macbeth have a good relationship but is about to be ruined because of the crimes that are going to happen.
“My dearest partner of greatness” – Proof of affection (How close Lady Macbeth and Macbeth were)
Lady Macbeth`s reaction to the letter
She doesn`t doubt the prophecies. They are both very ambitious (Lady Macbeth more than Macbeth.)
She doubts whether he has the guts to kill the King. This emphasises on the good relationship between them.
She knows that Macbeth is very ambitious and that Macbeth is not cold hearted. She is worried that Macbeth is too soft to commit murder and thus to become King, “I fear thy nature/ It is too full o`th` milk of himan kindness.” She on the other hand does not hesitate. Lady Macbeth is determined to help her husband become King through “the valour of my tongue.” She talks of pouring her evil spirits into Macbeth`s ear like poison to make him change his character to being more evil, ruthless and more ambitious.
She is eager for Macbeth`s arrival from the King, so that she can convince him with her plan, that is, to kill the King. Lady Macbeth is manipulative (capable of changing somebody`s mind.)
A servant enters saying that the King is going to sleep at the castle.Lady Macbeth decides to kill Duncan as the raven is hoarse. (Raven = Sign of evil. When the raven whistles he will be announcing death.)
Lady Macbeth is praying to the evil spirits to make herself evil. She is praying to demonic spirits to remove her conscience as she wants to become ruthless (without a heart.) “Come, you spirits ... unsex me here ... of direst cruelty” Remove my womanhood and focus of making me evil.
She is praying to be filled with cruelty as she doesn`t want to feel guilty. It is as if the prayer is answered, as from now on she feels no guilt, as she is highly determined to kill Duncan and persuade Macbeth to agree with her plan.
Another example of inhuman: “take my milk for gall.” She asks the night to come , so no one can see her killing Duncan, and so she does not feel guilty.
She tells macbeth that his letter made her dream and this excited her.
Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he has to be careful what he says to pretend to be nice, then backstab him.She “tells him to look good like a flower” but from the inside he has to be evil like a “serpent.” She advices Macbeth to make Duncan think that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are welcoming hosts,“Bear welcome in your eye.” (Theme: Appearance vs Reality and Deception.)
She tells him that she is in full control about the plan to kill Duncan and forces him to see himself in terms of her plan for power.
Theme of gender, refers to masculinity and femminilty. Women were known as being sensitive.
Masculanity is assosciated with strength. (Lady Macbeth)
Femminility is assosciated with sensitivity. (Macbeth)
Why is this scene important?
- It highlits the close relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. (She is the dominant character)
- Lady Macbeth is calling for supernatural messages to call on her.
- We know that Macbeth has some human kindness in him that may resist the temptation.
- The language Lady Macbeth uses shows how evil she was.
Scene 6
Banquo and Duncan are approaching and admiring the castle. This is highly ironic as they are both going to die there.
Macbeth`s castle is a pleasant place to visit. (Appearance vs Reality.) The castle resembles Macbeth, (Nice from the outside, ugly from the inside.)
Although the castle appears to be delightful, in reality a death is going to take place.
Lady Macbeth joins them, to welcome them. Duncan thanks her for her welcoming, it is ironic as she will kill him.
Lady Macbeth tells Duncan that she is only doing her duty and so she is deceiving herself. Lady Macbeth is a great deceiver and is very manipulative.
In this scene duncan emerges as being very naive (stupid) as he is easily led by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, while Lady Macbeth as being a double faced person and deceiver to mislead.
Why is this scene important?
- We see a continuation about the theme of appearances (loyalty to the king) vs reality (going to murder him.)
- We see that Lady Macbeth is fully involved in this deception and disloyalty.
- We see a conrast between Macbeth`s and Duncan`s open and free feelings.
