What impression do you get of Macbeth from the First Act?

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What impression do you get of Macbeth

from the First Act?

From the first act I get the impression that Macbeth is a very complex character. It is impossible to work out his 'mind's construction'. He seems the epitome of opposite, contrasting, ideas. The literary critic Kenneth Muir wrote:

Macbeth is a noble and gifted man who chooses treachery and crime, not believing he has any justification for his deeds, but knowing them precisely for what they are.

I agree with this as Macbeth does know exactly what he is doing, yet does not seem callous and cunning even though he is in fact a 'villain'. Macbeth seems a manipulative, bloodthirsty murderer. Even though he does so evilly plot Duncan's demise, Shakespeare writes Macbeth's character with such humanity that we still have respect, empathy and understanding with Macbeth through some parts of the play. When in Act 2, Scene 2, Macbeth regrets murdering Duncan and says 'Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!' we can feel sorry for Macbeth because, from then on, you get the impression that Macbeth knows that he is doomed.

In Act 1, Scene 1, the three witches set the evil foundations of the play when they say they are 'There to meet with Macbeth.' The witches' talk builds up to the word 'Macbeth', their sentences get shorter and more urgent up to it, and then the talk just fades away. We know Macbeth and evil will "meet". You can't help but get the impression that Macbeth is associated with them, part of their dubious plans, and it immediately shows that Macbeth will not be a pleasant character. This idea is reinforced in Scene 3 as the first ever words of the protagonist Macbeth are echoing the witches' charms: 'foul and fair'. So it seems that Macbeth has repeated something that he knows or has heard before. It gives the impression that Macbeth is also chanting spells, which then gives the idea that 'Bellona's bridegroom' (Macbeth), is part of their coven and belongs to the wicked witches; he speaks as they do. Macbeth's moral chaos later on in the play also seems to echo the witches' riddles, again linking his character with theirs. The literary critic Kenneth Muir seems to sum this up when he says

The images of equivocation, deceit, treachery, appearance against reality and the antithetical style suggest the paradox and enigma of the nature of man, the conflict within him between sin and grace, between reason and emotion.

The audience of Shakespeare's time would know all about witches and quickly relate them to the Greco-Roman mythology surrounding the number three. In this mythology there were the three Erinnyes (known as the 'Furies'), the three Moirae (known as the 'Fates'), and the three Gorgons. The three work as one, like a trinity, an unbroken triangle, without all three the coven would be incomplete, so it seems they are strong and the 'worthy' Macbeth no match for them. Later, in Scene 3 the witches dance in steps of three the bewitching number, whilst casting their 'charm.' Shakespeare's witches bear a resemblance to the Greco-Roman mythology where everything was predestined and the gods could not alter the three witches' schemes. This gives the impression that Macbeth, because of the three witches that he knows, is bound to fail. It is predestined for him and neither God nor human hand can save him.

The audience would know that the characters on stage were witches and that their intentions were bad immediately. This is due to the eerie setting of the scene, the violent weather and the way the three characters know the future and the way their speech is like a chant. It would be obvious they were witches, because of the way they can hear their pets, their familiars, even though the audience can't see them anywhere near, and by the way they are dressed and act. It is also shown in the way the witches talk about how they 'Hover', as if they are birds of prey hunting the unsuspecting Macbeth. The audience would know that Macbeth should stay well clear of these beings, the earth's 'bubbles'- and so when in Scene 3 Macbeth urges them to 'Stay you imperfect speakers' it gives the impression of Macbeth being a gullible fool. The use of stichomythia in this Scene builds up the tension, until the word 'Macbeth' when the rhythm slows down, but the expectation and anticipation to 'meet' Macbeth are still there. Yet while the witches plot and get excited, Macbeth has no idea, giving the impression that he is innocent to their awful plans. But is Macbeth so innocent of them? And are these witches actually external, do they really exist? Or had Macbeth 'eaten of the insane root that take reason prisoner'? It is so easy to dismiss his various different actions as those of a schizophrenic are, but then this would just make the witches just a personification of the evil thoughts in Macbeth's muddled head. To me they seem too real to be just demon-like internal voices, and I don't think he could just dream up the whole conversation that the witches have with him and Banquo in Scene 3. Yet sometimes you do get the impression that Macbeth is either possessed, schizophrenic or two different people. In William Shakespeare A biography by A.L Rowse, the author talks about the witches, commenting that:

we are at liberty to reinterpret them as promptings of the unconscious

implying that Macbeth is unconsciously thinking these terrible thoughts.

In Scene 2 the tension, of not seeing the main character Macbeth, builds up even more; there is lots of loving hearsay about him but nothing from him, and you start to wonder who exactly he is and what he is going to do. The scene is quite confusing as up till now Macbeth has been associated with dishonourable things, yet here he is saving his king and country, risking his life for them. Even when he is tired, 'spent' and outnumbered and the victory is 'Doubtful', Macbeth and Banquo 'Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe.' Their bravery astounds Duncan. So much of Scene 2 praises Macbeth: 'brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name', 'noble Macbeth' and 'O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!' Yet whilst we are getting this brilliant impression it seems that Macbeth is very bloodthirsty:
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'his brandish'd steel

Which smok'd with bloody execution', 'carv'd out his passage'

'Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps

And fix'd his head upon our battlements'

The word 'carv'd implies craftsmanship and skill, familiarity with what he is doing. Macbeth is described as carving out his passage through the battle, it seems as if it is not people he is going through but long grass maybe. It shows his disregard for human life. Perhaps quotes like this show the real Macbeth. It could have been not only the opponents' ...

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