What impression do you get of Macbeth from the First Act?
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:
'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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'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' blood Macbeth 'meant to bathe in' but also Duncan's later. This scene also shows that Macbeth doesn't seem to have any qualms about killing anyone. Macbeth is respectfully described as 'Bellona's bridegroom': this is ironic as it is meant as a compliment, to show appreciation of Macbeth's greatness in winning the war. But Bellona, in classical mythology, is the goddess of war and at the end of the play Macbeth causes a war in Scotland. It is also ironic that Macbeth is described as 'valour's minion' as it personifies valour as if Macbeth is bravery's favourite. Later on in the play Macbeth seems to lose all his bravery and run to the witches for help, but in this scene he is described as 'Disdaining fortune'. Where does all his reckless bravery disappear? In this scene nothing could be better for him he seems popular:
'brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name' and courageous: 'valiant.' He is intriguing: 'Bellona's bridegroom' and physically strong: 'carv'd out his passage' and an inspiring leader, a brilliant general: 'Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe.' He seems authoritative and decisive, getting Scotland: 'Ten thousand dollars to our general use' he compares favourably with the weak, benevolent Duncan and we admire him even though he seems to enjoy the bloodletting, the 'reeking wounds'. Macbeth appears honourable and loyal and confronts the enemy with 'self-comparisons'- maybe he compares himself so much that he becomes like them in also attempting regicide. In the end of Scene 2 when Duncan proclaims
'No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth.'
we start to wonder if Macbeth will follow in his predecessor's footsteps and become like him. When Ross describes the first Thane of Cawdor's attempt at regicide as 'dismal' it is again ironic as it exactly describes Macbeth's later attempt also.
The beginning of Scene 3 serves to show how horrible the witches are. The First Witch says that she will make the master of the ship the Tiger
'live a man forbid.'
'Weary sev'n-nights nine times nine
Shall he dwindle, peak and pine'
The other two witches are helping her and they make this poor captain have no more sleep. It is ironic as later this is what happens to Macbeth. In Act 2, Scene 2 after he has killed Duncan, Macbeth says "Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!' " Again we get the impression that Macbeth is doomed.
The witches hear the drum and know that 'Macbeth doth come.' They cast another spell based around the magic 3:
'Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine,
And thrice again, to make up nine.'
We get the impression that Macbeth is now under their 'charm' and so is controlled by them. Here Macbeth and Banquo 'meet' the witches and Banquo laughs at them:
'Live you? Or are you aught
That man may question?'
Macbeth however, is not so light-hearted, he shows curiosity: 'speak if you can' and when they do speak is 'rapt' in attention at what they are saying. It is as if he thinks they could guide him because these 'wither'd and wild', witches are strangely expressing his innermost desire to be king. The witches' prophecies come in threes, their magic number, and they speak only to Macbeth until Banquo asks them what they predict for him: 'Speak then to me'. It shows Macbeth is their chosen one. Here is the seed of the seed imagery that runs throughout the play, Banquo questions them 'If you can look into the seeds of time and say which will grow and which will not'. They then speak to him and Macbeth comes into the first prophecy they give him, giving us the impression that Macbeth is more evil and more important then Banquo. When the witches say that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth replies 'the Thane of Cawdor lives' as if he is momentarily contemplating another murder-the way he says it seems like a threat. Macbeth looks a fool as he begs for them to 'Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more' as Banquo is offhand, amused by the witches but Macbeth is believing and confused by them. He is even more puzzled when they vanish and we get the impression of dependence when he wishes they had stayed: 'Would they had stay'd!' Maybe here he sees he is worrying Banquo with his intensity and that is why he starts joking: 'Your children shall be kings' to make Banquo oblivious to his hidden thoughts of regicide. It seems as though he is leading on Banquo, waiting for him to say 'you shall be king' as though it is reassurance to him that he wasn't dreaming and someone else heard the witches say it as well.
The jokes are like a build up to Ross coming in with the dramatic news. When he tells Macbeth that he is to become 'Thane of Cawdor', Banquo is the first to react, so it seems Macbeth is in shock, then he repeats: 'the Thane of Cawdor lives' as though he is threatening again. But when he discovers that the former Thane of Cawdor is soon to be executed he seems happier, thanking the messengers graciously 'for your pains'. The theme of clothes first comes in to the play at this point. Macbeth asks Ross and Angus: 'why do you dress me in borrow'd robes?' which gives the impression that when Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor he will take on all the traitor's roles as well his robes and become like him. Later on in this scene Banquo describes Macbeth's new title as being
'Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould
But with the aid of use.'
This is very apt because in time Macbeth does become like his predecessor. Instantly Macbeth has connected this good news to the witches prophecies and assumed that he will become king because of their words, he shows this in his soliloquy by saying, 'The greatest is behind.' Those four words confirm his regicidal thoughts, he thinks now that he will succeed. We can tell from Macbeth's next words that the witches have taken him in, because he questions Banquo saying 'do you not hope your children shall be kings?' But Banquo remains sceptical saying that Macbeth should not get his hopes up over something that has been told to them by 'The instruments of darkness'.
In Macbeth's soliloquy he finally admits to himself that he is thinking these 'horrible imaginings'. We get the impression of a unintentional hypocrite, he is so blood-thirsty in the previous scene where he 'unseam'd' a man 'from the nave to the chaps' yet here even the mere thought of killing Duncan 'doth unfix' his hair and make his 'seated heart' 'knock' at his ribs. Shakespeare creates a wonderful mind picture here-we get the impression of Macbeth's heart knocking on his ribs as if to remind him of the compassion and love, that comes from the heart, that he should be showing to Duncan. Here Banquo shows us how deeply Macbeth is contemplating murder because he draws attention to 'how our partner's rapt' we can tell from this that Macbeth is lost in his own thoughts of murder. He then comes to the conclusion that
'If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me
Without my stir.'
implying that his role in it would be accidental it would all be a coincidence, due to chance not because of him. We get the impression here that Macbeth has persuaded himself out of committing this crime he now trusts this witches and 'chance' to crown him instead.
In Scene 4 we have little respect for Macbeth as we now see how loving, trustful and naïve Duncan is. We pity him for being this way when he says about Macbeth's predecessor 'he was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.'
It is ironic that as soon as he says this Macbeth walks in. And Duncan is so innocent of Macbeth's plans that he trusts him enough to go and stay at his house. It is also ironic and sad that Duncan always trusts the wrong people. He is so grateful, gracious and benign towards Macbeth and Banquo that, by contrast, to Duncan we hate Macbeth even more. Especially when he is so humble and loving towards Duncan and we know really that he will murder him. There is irony in that Macbeth says to the king that it is his duty to keep the kings 'love and honour' 'safe' when really Macbeth wants Duncan to be anything but safe. This scene suggests that the comfortable, natural, close-knit, trusting society will soon be shattered by Macbeth's regicide and replaced with political and moral chaos when Macbeth sits on the throne. The courtly imagery is so full of promise: of planting, growing and harvest, we don't understand Macbeth's greed in wanting to change this. We see the king as being a poor judge of character and naïve maybe a coward for not being at the front of the battle, a foolish leader yet he seems so wonderful now compared with Macbeth. He is being ingratiating and grovelling toward Macbeth: 'my worthy Cawdor' 'O worthiest cousin' and Macbeth is responding suitably but not genuinely like Banquo. There is a build up to Duncan's successor being named but it is ironic that Macbeth in his arrogance assumed himself to be announced instead of the obvious choice of Duncan son. Macbeth here finally admits his 'black and deep desires' and says
'The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.'
Because of this statement, we feel certain that he will murder Duncan.
There is irony is Scene 5 when, from the letter that she receives from Macbeth, Lady Macbeth instantly predicts his feelings and her predictions show to be true. She says
'Yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way.'
Lady Macbeth is right, as when the chance comes Macbeth has to be persuaded and goaded into catching the 'nearest way' to becoming king. It is in line 24 where we first see how evil and snake-like Lady Macbeth is when she says
'Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear,
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes me from the golden round'
The 'spirits' are her poisonous thoughts and her brave tongue is going to scare away any of Macbeths 'kindness', so that nothing is left to impede Macbeth from becoming king. After hearing 'the king comes here to-night' Lady Macbeth rapidly becomes even more threatening and seems to almost be in a rage or cold hysterical fit. She declares that Duncan's entrance shall be 'fatal' under her battlements. This gives the impression that neither Macbeth nor Duncan have any chance of doing what they intended as everything is now going to be controlled by Lady Macbeth. She continues her ranting and cries out to the 'spirits' 'that tend on mortal thoughts' to
'unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty'
It is ironic she seems to be dire enough as it is before she called on evil spirits. Lady Macbeth wants to be queen so much it seems that she wants these 'murdering ministers' to take away her very essence, all her good thoughts. So that any human feelings, anything womanly or pleasant should not 'Shake' her 'fell purpose' Shakespeare uses imagery here where Lady Macbeth calls
'Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
To cry, 'Hold, hold!'
We get the mind picture of her creeping through the pitch-black night to murder Duncan, and we see heaven as a small child peeping through a keyhole of light, shouting desperately to try and stop the murder. It is interesting how she has automatically thought of herself as the person to murder Duncan: 'my' keen knife, not Macbeth's. It is also strange that even though speaks with such conviction, she seems to be in denial of the deed and wants her 'keen knife' to 'see not the wound it makes'.
Lady Macbeth greets and praises Macbeth 'Great Glamis! worthy Cawdor! Greater than both, by the all hail hereafter!' She has assumed and knows that because of 'fate and metaphysical aid' that he will be king. Lady Macbeth loves what he has done and what he has promised
'thy letters have transported me beyond
This ignorant present'.
We get the impression that it is no wonder they love each other so much ('my dearest love') for they are so similar, both so foolhardy and bloodthirsty. When Lady Macbeth asks teasingly of Macbeth when does Duncan 'go hence?' Macbeth seems to back down, afraid maybe of her enthusiasm and replies 'To-morrow, as he purposes.' Lady Macbeth continues passionately to lead and persuade Macbeth to kill Duncan and urges him to 'Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it' just like she is when Duncan arrives. Lady Macbeth orders Macbeth to let her take control
'you shall put
This nights great business into my dispatch'
We get the impression of Macbeth's weakness, he that is a commander of the army and has shown so much ferocity, meekly obeys his wife. Macbeth nervously tries to discourage her: 'We will speak further.' But she instead of listening she just continues to order him and then says, still assertive: 'Leave all the rest to me.'
In scene 6 there is extensive dramatic irony, Duncan raves about how lovely Macbeth's castle is
'This castle has a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses.'
It is ironic that a place where everything is so beautiful is really a death trap. Duncan's trust and vulnerability is shown, Shakespeare may have done this to make Macbeth's crime seem even more unfair and heinous. Shakespeare would also have made Duncan so pleasant because of his patron being James I and because Shakespeare believed in the monarchy and the Divine Right of Kings. Duncan compliments Lady Macbeth: 'our honour'd hostess!' and 'Fair and noble hostess', he also says of Macbeth 'we love him highly'. This makes the King seem like a sweet, gullible pensioner and a poor judge of character. Lady Macbeth's flattering, noble words emphasise how evil she really is and how well she can pretend, hiding under a façade of love for her king. Lady Macbeth's actions here are echoed in the majestic nature she later shows as queen. Her actions also emphasise the theme of pretence, seeming that "fair is foul" Scene 6 is so quiet and charming that everything in it seems like the lull before the storm, it is a release from the tension of the previous scenes. Macbeth does not appear in Scene 6, and our expectation rises as to his state of mind and we wonder what he must be plotting. There is irony when Duncan comments that Macbeth's
'great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him
To his home before us.'
Because we know that it wasn't Macbeth's 'great love' that had made Macbeth hurry home it was the fact that he had to talk to his wife and arrange how they were going to murder Duncan. It is interesting that Duncan asks Lady Macbeth to 'Conduct me to mine host' unknowing that it is Lady Macbeth that will 'conduct' Macbeth to murder him later that night.
In the first few lines of Scene 7, Macbeth is trying to convince himself that he could murder Duncan as long as he did it quickly and if the act could prevent any further consequences and succeed as soon as it had ended: 'With his surcease, success.' But then Macbeth starts doubting and reasoning with himself and realises that Duncan is 'here in double trust' and that he is Duncan's 'kinsman and his subject,' 'both strong against the deed'. Macbeth as Duncan's host 'should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife' himself.
Macbeth's thoughts at this point are hard to make out, his mind seems to be in turmoil. Macbeth conjures up vivid mind pictures saying that Duncan's 'virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongu'd, against
The deep damnation of his taking off'
This gives the impression that Macbeth is scared, that because of the Divine Right of Kings and because of Duncan's goodness and 'virtues' and because of the 'deep damnation' of regicide, Macbeth believes he will suffer in everlasting hell if he kills Duncan. Macbeth fears that the murder of Duncan would be so powerful that 'pity like a naked new-born babe, would be 'Striding the blast' and 'heaven's cherubin, hors'd
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind.
Macbeth realises the devastation regicide would cause, he imagines here that pity and angels would ride on the winds telling every man what he had done and cause enough tears to drown the winds themselves. This gives the impression that either Macbeth is either very scared or very insane. The writer A.L Rowse describes Macbeth as having a
diseased mind.
That seems a very accurate impression of Macbeth in this whole scene. Macbeth personifies Duncan's 'virtues' and personifies pity as though they are actual forces opposing him. It seems as though he is imagining that everything good, like heaven and angels would immediately be against him and even if he could 'jump the life to come' he would still have 'judgement' on earth. Shakespeare would have made the consequences of regicide seem so vast and terrible because of his patron being James the 1st. When Macbeth wished to get home to his castle fast, the thought of regicide and the thought of being king was his spur, yet when he wanted to commit the murder he had no spur, the thought of being king was not enough, this shows how Macbeth's feelings keep changing. It seems ironic that just as Macbeth is saying that he has no 'spur' to kill Duncan, except 'vaulting ambition' which would aim too high and fail, Lady Macbeth enters. She starts to scold Macbeth asking him 'why have you left the chamber?' and he, worried asks 'hath he ask'd for me?' it seems as if he still hoped that if Duncan never found out what he was planning he could forget about the whole idea. Macbeth seems nervous and foolish; we pity him, as he seems to lack the courage to kill Duncan, yet is being mercilessly persuaded into doing so. Lady Macbeth is at her worst here, she threatens, insults, cajoles, mocks and forces Macbeth not only to kill Duncan but to go along with her plan of blaming the murder on Duncan's guards, thus effectively causing their deaths too. Lady Macbeth mocks, asking if all his hope was 'drunk' when he suggested murder, she insults him asking, 'Art thou afeard
'To be the same in thine own act and valour
As thou art in desire'
Implying that he is too scared to do what he says he will do. When Macbeth tries to stop her: 'Prithee peace' and says that he is doing all that is fitting for a man to do, Lady Macbeth scorns him saying that if he would be more of a man if he killed Duncan. She goes on, saying that she would have 'dash'd the brains out' of 'the babe' she loved rather than brake her word to him. Lady Macbeth's words have such an impact on Macbeth that he starts to let himself be persuaded, he even admires her 'undaunted mettle' in hatching and enforcing these wicked plans, he compliments her: 'Bring forth men-children only' and now seems controlled by her. Eventually he agrees and says he will 'bend up each corporal agent to this terrible feat' seeming easily swayed and weak, having to make ready every physical faculty to kill Duncan. The first act ends with Macbeth keeping up the theme of pretence saying 'False face must hide what the false heart doth know.'
Throughout the first act Macbeth seems brave yet foolish, he knows what he is doing is wrong but is foolish and brave enough to do it. The literary critic Caroline Spurgeon wrote of Macbeth,
He is magnificently great...in courage, in passionate, indomitable ambition, in imagination and capacity to feel...there is an aspect in which he is but a poor, vain, cruel, treacherous creature....
Macbeth's character seems to change so much throughout the first act that it is very hard to sum it up. When Duncan calls Macbeth 'a peerless kinsman' it is ironic as when Macbeth is king he will have no equal and therefore will be peerless, but Macbeth has no equal in his complex and contrasting nature either. Macbeth seems impossible to define or understand; yet his humanity and his bravery endear him to the reader or audience. Macbeth's struggles over what to do, make him seem familiar, we sympathise with him. Although later on in the play when Macbeth has Macduff's family so brutally murdered our sympathy for Macbeth dies also. It is not until Macbeth finally gets his courage back and fights Macduff in the final scene, that we sympathise and have respect for Macbeth once again. There are times in the first act when both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seem to have gone insane, especially when Lady Macbeth calls on the spirits to fill her 'top-full' 'Of direst cruelty' so that she can also poison Macbeth with her evil 'spirits'. I think that Macbeth is mainly a contrast of weakness and courage, his personality mirrors the equivocal images that run throughout the play. There is often reference to light and darkness, which seem to symbolise the light and dark side of human nature. There is a theme of pretence throughout the first act: 'look like the innocent flower' 'But be the serpent under it' and 'False face must hide what the false heart doth know.' There is continued reference to seeds and growth and harvest, all of these things echoed in Macbeth's own character. There are also the themes of milk and of clothing, used as similes about Macbeth. Kenneth Muir wrote
An appreciable part of the emotions we feel throughout, of pity, fear and horror, is due to the subtle but definite and repeated action of this imagery on our minds...
Shakespeare wrote Macbeth at a time when regicide was a popular topical issue, the play was written between 1603 and 1606 just after the attempted regicide in the Gunpowder plot and the subsequent trials and executions. The play would be great entertainment for the English people, who were still worried about 'tyrants' who abused the 'Divine Right of Kings' they would approve of Macbeth's eventual death at the end of the play. Macbeth's very human feelings, his greed, fear and remorse for example, were things the audience would relate to. There was strong belief in witches and the powers of evil, Macbeth's fascination with the witches and his blind belief in them would have been understood at the time. King James I who Shakespeare was writing the play for, wrote a book about 'Daemonologie' himself. Macbeth's strange imaginings, in Scene 7's soliloquy, would also not seem so strange at the time of the play being written, England was a Catholic country then, with a faith in angels, heaven, eternal punishment in burning hell and Judgement. It would not seem so weird to an audience of that time that Lady Macbeth was calling on 'evil spirits' to help her with what was such a terrible crime. Shakespeare had to give over the impression that killing a rightful king was against the natural order of life and could not come to good. Yet if Macbeth were fated from the start, then there would be no point in writing a tragedy, the audience would have no sympathy with Macbeth unless he showed these human, pitiful feelings of regret and remorse. Macbeth's character is so intriguing because the play was written as a drama and therefore is meant to entertain. Our impression of Macbeth should not be clear, as this would bore an audience. His humanity and confusion are things the audience can relate to and therefore enjoy.
Overall, my impression is that Macbeth is of a very human man, he is pitiful yet brave and foolhardy. His personality will always be a mystery and that is part of the enjoyment of reading Macbeth.
Esther Lloyd 10r